Tag: big 12 football news

Red flags for Big 12 contenders heading into fall camp

We discuss our biggest red flag for Big 12 contenders.

We’re a couple weeks away from the beginning of fall camp. With that come several questions about Big 12 teams.

Big 12 contenders have less questions heading into the year, but still have uncertainty of their own. Some contenders are more predictable than others.

If you put Texas in another uniform, it would almost certainly have the least amount of questions. The losses of running backs Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson loom large for the team. Nevertheless, while the running back position is important, it certainly bears less positional importance than every other offensive position than tight end.

Texas is as good and proven at wide receiver, offensive line and tight end as it has been since the middle of the Mack Brown era. That’s really inarguable. The team likely has its best secondary since 2017. Even so, there are flaws on the team.

Let’s uncover the biggest red flag for Big 12 contenders heading into 2023.

Steve Sarkisian says the sky is the limit for Texas LT Kelvin Banks

“He went against four first round picks at defensive end. He gave up zero sacks.”

Kelvin Banks is the best offensive tackle in the Big 12 this season. His head coach knows it. Steve Sarkisian discussed just how impressive Banks was as a first-year player last season.

“He went against four first round picks at defensive end. He gave up zero sacks. He’s got elite talent and ability and the maturity it takes. … I do think the sky is the limit. He’s cut from the right cloth.”

He’s certainly cut from the right cloth. The Banks family has built Kelvin Jr. into an All-American teammate and leader. He just happens to be an All-American player as well. His work ethic gives him the ability to avoid a sophomore slump that many Longhorns have endured.

To have shut down four first-round edge players as a freshman is impressive. That Banks’ second college game placed him against Alabama edge Will Anderson makes it even more impressive.

Banks is a tackle talent never seen before for those who have only watched the last 15 seasons of Texas football. He will look to build on last season in the next four months.

Fall Camp Preview: How Texas can build a Big 12 champion this August

Texas is a good fall camp away from conference championship contention.

Fall camp is around the corner, and we’re only 48 days from the start of the Texas football season. With that comes an all-important August that will play a huge role in the Longhorns’ 2023 record.

There are more certainties heading into this fall camp than the last. Last year quarterbacks Hudson Card and Quinn Ewers were reportedly neck-and-neck throughout the offseason with no separation until late in camp. Ewers’ freshman struggles showed why the race was so contested throughout the summer.

This year Ewers has turned heads in practice after a strong spring. He’s reportedly more accurate in the downfield passing game this offseason. His spring game performance somewhat confirmed those reports. Last year he flashed a dynamic arm in moments against Oklahoma and Alabama. Now he will look to make it the rule and not the exception.

Here’s a look at what Texas needs to accomplish during this camp.

Steve Sarkisian exudes confidence ahead of Big 12 media days

Ahead of Big 12 Media Days, Steve Sarkisian has said all the right things.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is confident in his team ahead of Big 12 media days. It’s more than a brave face. Sarkisian has built his team his way, and he knows it.

The maligned head coach will take the mic on Wednesday before a crowd that, for the most part, believes his team is the class of the conference. Sarkisian has developed and acquired a complete roster. While it’s not on par with what Alabama was from 2012 to 2020, that dynasty is the roster construction blueprint on which this roster was built.

Texas is a complete team. Sarkisian certainly believes it. His words have consistently indicated the Longhorns have the most complete team he has been afforded at Texas. Now, it’s only a matter of whether or not he can execute the head coaching job at a high enough level. Sarkisian’s confidence in Wednesday’s session will indicate whether or not he believes he’s up to the task.

Looking at where every Big 12 defense ranked in the 2022 season

Texas returns several players from one of the best statistical defenses in the Big 12 last season.

The Big 12 is loaded with offensive firepower. As a result, there hasn’t been much dominant defense in the conference outside of a select few. The league’s defensive struggles are likely tied to that offensive firepower.

Several Big 12 teams ranked in the bottom half of college football in statistical defense. The addition of Houston among other outmatched newcomers should likely cause that trend to continue.

Last season, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Houston finished outside of the Top 100 defenses in college football. While each group could certainly improve there will be plenty of room for growth.

Unsurprisingly, Iowa State led the Big 12 defensively in 2022. What might come as a surprise is the team’s No. 4 ranking in total defense.

With the high degree of variance in defensive production, let’s look at where every team ranked in total defense last season.

Around the Big 12: Where does Texas Tech go from here, TCU’s Zach Evans rumors

It’s been a wild week in the Big 12.

Stay up to date with the latest happenings surrounding Big 12 athletics.

Where does Texas Tech go from here?

It’s never easy losing your head coach in the middle of the season, but after what transpired on Saturday against Kansas State, it’s understandable why the school felt it was time for a change. Sonny Cumbie will now have the opportunity to interview for the job in the next four weeks. The list of candidates include former Texas assistant Jeff Traylor and the son of Texas Tech coaching legend, Sonny Dykes.

As far as the product on the field, the team still has an opportunity to get to the postseason, although the task is tall. Tech has Oklahoma, Iowa State, Baylor, and Oklahoma State remaining on the schedule. They are playing with house money, can they do the unthinkable and pull off an upset?

Rumors surrounding TCU running back Zach Evans

Rumors continue to circulate on social media regarding Zach Evans future with the TCU Horned Frogs. Most of the speculation has centered around the star running back potentially leaving the program, but Dallas Morning News’ Drew Davison rebutted those rumors by stating Evans was at practice yesterday and “all is good.”

However, Evans removed any sign of TCU from his Instagram page on Wednesday. This is shaping up to be a situation worth monitoring.

No fine will be issued for Iowa State after fans stormed the field

Iowa State fans celebrated the Oklahoma State victory by storming the field at Jack Trice Stadium last week. According to Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby, the school will not be fined or reprimanded.

I have concluded my review of the field storming incident that occurred at the conclusion of Saturday’s Oklahoma State at Iowa State football game.  Although no action by the Conference is being taken, I am using this opportunity to express my concern that, although improvements have been made, more needs to be done to ensure a safer exit from the field for the opposing team and game officials.

I know that the ISU administration is committed to providing the safest possible environment. I strongly urge that this experience be used to further consider steps that may be taken to ensure safety for all concerned.

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Report: The Big 12 has sent a ‘cease and desist’ letter to ESPN

Report: The Big 12 has sent a ‘cease and desist’ letter to ESPN

According to report by Yahoo Sports reporter Pete Thamel, which has since been confirmed by multiple sources, the Big 12 conference has sent a cease and desist letter to ESPN stating the network has been manipulating conference alignment.

Reports surfaced last week describing how Texas and Oklahoma were attempting to leave the Big 12 for the SEC after their contracts end in 2025.

That report was later confirmed after Texas and Oklahoma informed the Big 12 on Monday that they would not be renewing their contracts. On Tuesday, the two schools officially applied to the SEC.

Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby added context in a report by AP writer Ralph Russo.

“I have absolute certainty they (ESPN) have been involved in manipulating other conferences to go after our members,” Bowlsby said.

Read the full letter here:

ESPN’s SEC Network, along with the SEC itself, would benefit from the addition of Texas and Oklahoma to the conference. The two powerhouses are storied college football programs that would allow the conference and partner ESPN to bank on new TV revenue from the merger. And that’s just one aspect. This move will likely impact the SEC and college football in more ways than we know.

Stay tuned to UGA Wire as the situation develops further.

 

Report: The Big 12 has sent ‘cease and desist’ letter to ESPN

Report: The Big 12 has sent a ‘cease and desist’ letter to ESPN

According to report by Yahoo Sports reporter Pete Thamel, which has since been confirmed by multiple sources, the Big 12 conference has sent a cease and desist letter to ESPN stating the network has been manipulating conference alignment.

Reports surfaced last week describing how Texas and Oklahoma were attempting to leave the Big 12 for the SEC after their contracts end in 2025.

That report was later confirmed after Texas and Oklahoma informed the Big 12 on Monday that they would not be renewing their contracts. On Tuesday, the two schools officially applied to the SEC.

Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby added context in a report by AP writer Ralph Russo.

“I have absolute certainty they (ESPN) have been involved in manipulating other conferences to go after our members,” Bowlsby said.

Read the full letter here:

ESPN’s SEC Network, along with the SEC itself, would benefit from the addition of Texas and Oklahoma to the conference. The two powerhouses are storied college football programs that would allow the conference and partner ESPN to bank on new TV revenue from the merger. And that’s just one aspect. This move will likely impact the SEC and college football in more ways than we know.

Stay tuned to UGA Wire as the situation develops further.

 

Big 12 Football: Date for championship game officially announced

The Big 12 Conference officially announced when ticket sales will start for the title game in December.

The two teams that finish the regular season with the highest winning percentage in conference games will compete for the Big 12 title on Dec. 19 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Continue reading “Big 12 Football: Date for championship game officially announced”

Texas target, four-star WR Dont’e Thornton announces commitment date

Four-star wide receiver Dont’e Thornton is one of the top uncommitted players in the 2021 recruiting class.

Four-star wide receiver Dont’e Thornton will be announcing his commitment on Tuesday. Continue reading “Texas target, four-star WR Dont’e Thornton announces commitment date”