Tag: Big 12 Conference

Report: Big 12 eyeing UConn for potential expansion

It appears the Big 12 is still on the lookout for new members.

The Big 12 Conference has been aggressive in adding members after the news of Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC.

New commissioner Brett Yormark wasted no time in bringing in BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF to the league ahead of the 2023 season. It appears the Big 12 is still on the lookout for new members.

The Athletic reports the Big 12 has an interest in UConn as a potential addition.

UConn would provide the Big 12 with a more prominent footprint on the east coast. The Huskies are a powerhouse in both men’s and women’s basketball, which could help submit the Big 12 as the top basketball league in the nation.

The main question relies on if UConn is a strong enough football program for the Big 12 to pull the trigger. UConn has struggled on the football filed over the past decade and would weaken the overall depth of the conference.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Ranking the top offenses in the Big 12 conference for 2023

We rank every Big 12 offense for 2023.

Offense is back in the Big 12 this season. For the most part the league should have among the most dynamic offenses in the nation this year.

Houston head coach Dana Holgorson brings his Air Raid offense back to the league after leaving West Virginia not long ago. UCF and BYU bring their own unique offenses to the conference in what could be the most diverse offensive league in college football.

TCU figures to be one of the top offenses despite losing several contributors. Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Kansas State will bring their own dynamic offensive attacks to the forefront of the Big 12 conversation.

Baylor is a sneaky good offensive team in its own right. The team’s collection of solid role players make for a consistent scoring threat in 2023.

Here’s a look at our ranking of the top Big 12 offenses for 2023.

The Oklahoman reports that Colorado could ‘soon’ join Big 12

Another report has emerged linking Colorado to the Big 12

The Pac-12 Conference’s future is up in the air. UCLA and USC are heading to the Big Ten after this season, and rumors have swirled about San Diego State and other programs wanting to join the Pac-12.

However, the Colorado Buffaloes have been involved in Big 12 expansion rumors for quite some time, and they have picked up once again, per Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman:

A Big 12 source told me last week that Colorado is ready to commit to joining the Big 12 “soon.”

This is something to monitor over the next few weeks, especially with the offseason here and schools making pushes to join other conferences.

Last summer, Colorado’s chances at receiving a Big 12 invite were much lower, but Deion Sanders’ arrival suddenly put this program back into national headlines.

In March, the Big 12 was reportedly interested in CU and the other Four Corner schools, so it isn’t shocking to see this come up again. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before the first domino falls, and maybe it will be Colorado.

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

[lawrence-related id=22299,22224,22342]

Every Texas football player who made Athlon Sports’ All-Big 12 team

We look at who national football media view as the best Texas football players.

Texas is stacked with talent heading into the 2023 season. That much was evident by Athlon Sports’ preseason all-conference team. Several Longhorns made the list with a handful of surprises.

As with any national media analysis, it’s difficult to get thorough insight on any individual team. However, we can gather the general view analysts have outside of the Texas bubble.

What’s clear from Athlon’s rankings is that the publication has high expectations for Byron Murphy II, who checks in as a first-team player in the Big 12 and fourth-team All-American in their predictions.

Wide receiver Xavier Worthy and left tackle Kelvin Banks made the second-team All-American list, while tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, linebacker Jaylan Ford and safety Jalen Catalon join Murphy among the third-team and fourth-team Longhorns.

Here’s a look at each Texas All-Big 12 designation for the 2023 season.

Led by a pair of defenders, 11 Sooners named to Athlon Sports preseason All-Big 12 teams

Led by Ethan Downs and Danny Stutsman, 11 Oklahoma Sooners featured in Athlon Sports 2023 preseason All-Big 12 teams.

The Oklahoma Sooners are due for a bounce-back season after their 6-7 campaign in 2022. While there are question marks, the Sooners look like a team with improved talent, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

Some of that improvement is simply due to progression and more time spent in the system. The other part is Brent Venables and his staff hit the transfer portal to add players that can make a significant impact in 2023.

Still a few months away from the start of the 2023 college football season, Athlon Sports Steve Lassan released his All-Big 12 preseason teams, and 11 Oklahoma Sooners were featured. Six were from the offensive side of the ball, and five were on defense, including two newcomers. One player earned a pair of distinctions. Here’s a look at the Sooners who were named to Athlon’ Sports’ preseason All-Big 12 team.

WATCH: Texas RHP Tanner Witt speaks on his journey back to the mound

Tanner Witt’s incredible perseverance helped Texas win the Big 12 crown.

Texas baseball clinched its share of the Big 12 regular season title after completing an emphatic sweep over No. 6 West Virginia on Saturday.

Just a month ago, Texas was all but dead in the water following what David Pierce called an “embarrassing sweep” from Oklahoma. The Longhorns dropped from the rankings, Big 12 standings and hosting contention.

The next week former freshman All-American and top MLB Draft prospect Tanner Witt made his long-awaited debut this season. Texas would finish the year on an 11-3 run with Witt back in the fold.

Witt’s return was the shot in the arm this Texas team needed. He could have decided to take more time during his recovery process to protect his pro future, but the Texas righty believed his story was not finished.

Witt started Texas’ final game of the regular season and picked up the win in the Big 12 clinching victory.

An emotional Longhorns team hoisted the trophy in front of a packed Disch-Falk Field. Witt caught up with the media to discuss how much this title meant to him and his teammates.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Texas welcomes No. 6 West Virginia with the Big 12 title on the line

The Longhorns and Mountaineers both have a chance at the Big 12 regular season title. 

Texas baseball hosts No. 6 West Virginia this weekend for the final series of the regular season. The Longhorns and Mountaineers both have a chance at the Big 12 regular season title.

West Virginia’s magic number to earn the conference championship sits at one game as they travel to Austin. Just a single win over Texas would have them as the top seed in the Big 12 tournament and a likely regional host.

Texas has a bit more work in front of them for the Big 12 crown. The Longhorns complete a sweep on the No. 6 team in the nation and have Oklahoma take at least one game from Oklahoma State. Just a series win would be a massive boost to Texas’ NCAA tournament resume.

Starting pitching is going to be the key for Texas this weekend.

The Longhorns have settled into its rotation of Lucas Gordon, Lebarron Johnson and Tanner Witt. Getting good outings on the mound against a potent WVU offense would set the tone for Texas.

Texas pitching must keep West Virginia second baseman JJ Weatherholt in check. The Golden Spikes Award contender is a game-changer in the Mountaineers lineup.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Texas Baseball: Lucas Gordon earns Big 12 Co-Pitcher of Week honors

Lucas Gordon continues his excellent 2023 season on the mound.

The Big 12 Conference named Lucas Gordon as the league’s Co-Pitcher of the Week following his standout performance against TCU. Continue reading “Texas Baseball: Lucas Gordon earns Big 12 Co-Pitcher of Week honors”

Where’s Oklahoma in USA TODAY Sports post spring Big 12 Power Rankings?

Where do the Oklahoma Sooners rank in USA TODAY Sports post-spring Big 12 power rankings?

This offseason has largely been considered a strong one for the Oklahoma Sooners. They made additions on the defensive side of the football that should help improve a defense that was one of the worst in college football a year ago.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean they will be better. Though the talent is improved on defense, will that be enough to overshadow the losses on the offensive side of the ball?

Oklahoma should be better than 6-7 in 2023. How much better is anyone’s guess? Erick Smith of USA TODAY Sports isn’t ready to put the Sooners back in the Big 12 title game, but believes they’ll be one of the teams that will be in contention in 2023.

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Here’s a look at Smith’s post-spring Big 12 power rankings for 2023.

Marvin Mims headed to the Denver Broncos in the 2023 NFL Draft

With the 63rd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos add an elite offensive weapon, selecting Oklahoma Sooners WR Marvin Mims.

Marvin Mims is the second Sooner to be selected in the 2023 NFL draft. He went at the end of the second round with pick 63 to the Denver Broncos.

The Sooners wide receiver will be a fantastic target for Russell Wilson in the Denver Broncos passing game. He should be used in a variety of ways, with Sean Payton being the offensive mastermind that he is.

Mims jumps off the screen due to his blazing speed. He ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. He’s an incredible athlete for the receiver position. With fantastic speed, great hands, and plus athleticism, Marvin Mims is a player that will provide an instant impact in the Broncos offense.

He’s 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds. He’s got experience playing both on the outside and in the slot. Given his frame, perhaps more of a role in the slot would make sense in the short term as he adjusts to the physicality of NFL corners playing press-man coverage.

Mims had 123 receptions, 2,398 receiving yards, and 20 touchdowns in his three years at Oklahoma. He led the Sooners in receiving yards in each of his three seasons. In 2022, he had his first 1,000-yard season for Oklahoma after considering transferring during the coaching change in the winter of 2021.

In the Mile High City, Mims will reunite with former Sooners’ teammates [autotag]Nik Bonitto[/autotag] and [autotag]Delarrin Turner-Yell[/autotag]. Also in Denver are Sooners that came before Mims including [autotag]Samaje Perine[/autotag] and [autotag]Ben Powers[/autotag].

Denver is a great fit for Mims with Sean Payton at the helm of the offense and Russell Wilson’s ability to air it out. Payton will move him around to find different mismatches he can offer on offense. With Mims’ experience returning punts, he’ll have a chance to play on special teams early in his NFL career.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1366]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz7cqqgxy50qwt player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jake on Twitter @jake_faigus