Each morning Longhorns Wire will share the top stories from around the Big 12 Conference. For this edition of the Big 12 morning rush CBS Sports, USA Today and Sports Illustrated provide the headlines.
Big 12 weighs options as college football ponders game cancellation, postponement procedures
CBS Sports writer Dennis Dodd wrote about the decisions to be made by the Big 12’s subcommittee. One of the items that have been in discussion is moving back the championship game to allow a couple weeks provided they need to make up postponed or cancelled games.
The subcommittee of five ADs — from Baylor, Kansas State, Oklahoma, TCU and West Virginia — is in the early stages of setting thresholds for postponements, cancellations and even forfeits. Their recommendations will go through several filters as coaches, players, other ADs and the commissioner will have input.
At least on the Power Five level, all conferences will be compelled to make similar decisions. The task of coming to an agreement on what it would take to call off a game because of COVID-19 is not an easy one.
Mike Gundy will remain head football coach at Oklahoma State
Jacob Unruh of the Oklahoman/USA Today had an article regarding the job status of Mike Gundy at Oklahoma. He came under fire after a picture of him wearing an OAN shirt was shared on Twitter. It sparked a tweet from star running back Chuba Hubbard stating that he would be distancing himself from Oklahoma State. Shortly after a video in which Hubbard and Gundy both addressed the situation.
University president Burns Hargis and Cowboys athletic director Mike Holder both announced Thursday night that Gundy will remain the head football coach following a 17-day internal investigation.
They determined Gundy’s issue was distance from his players — not racism.
“Our internal review found that Coach Gundy needs to invest more time in building stronger relationships with his student-athletes,” Holder said in a statement. “However, our review has uncovered no signs or indication of racism.
“After meeting with Coach Gundy, I am confident that he listened to his student-athletes. I believe he is genuine in his commitment to strengthening relationships with his players. I believe this to be a win for everyone. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact this will have on our team.”
Big 12 Offseason Report: Power Rankings and Burning Questions for 2020-21
Sports Illustrated has come out with their men’s basketball power rankings in the Big 12. Michael Shapiro broke down where all 10 teams stand at this point of the offseason.
We didn’t get to see the conclusion to the 2019–20 college basketball season, a year in which two Big 12 teams had a significant chance at reaching the Final Four. The number could expand to three in 2020–21. Baylor is the likely conference favorite after finishing 26–4 last season, while Kansas remains a national championship contender despite a pair of key losses. Texas Tech will have to battle some notable departures, but there’s no lack of talent on the roster. Multiple Big 12 teams should advance to the tournament’s second weekend.
As for the rest of the Big 12, there’s significantly more uncertainty. Texas, West Virginia and Oklahoma are looking to return as Sweet 16 contenders, while the bottom of the conference could still present some tournament teams. The Big 12 isn’t exactly loaded, but it’s certainly competitive. A fun year awaits after a prematurely canceled 2019-20.
- Baylor
- Kansas
- Texas Tech
- Texas
- West Virginia
- Oklahoma
- Iowa State
- Oklahoma State
- Texas Christian
- Kansas State