Big 12 SCREWED In College Football Playoff Ranking: BYU Idiocy, Kansas State, Colorado, Iowa State?

Locked On Big 12 | Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast

The Big 12 is sometimes overlooked on the national stage in college football, despite its competitiveness, high-powered offenses, and strong programs that regularly contend with top teams. Several factors contribute to this underestimation, including the conference’s lack of traditional “blue blood” powers, shifting membership, and its reputation for offense-heavy play. As a result, Big 12 teams often have to work harder to earn respect from the media, fans, and even the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee.

One reason the Big 12 can be nationally overlooked is the dominance of conferences like the SEC and Big Ten, which have long-standing reputations as powerhouses. These conferences often receive more media coverage and the benefit of the doubt when it comes to rankings, partly due to the success of historically strong programs like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and Michigan. This consistent focus on a few elite teams can sometimes lead the CFP committee and media outlets to downplay or overlook the Big 12's competitive depth and talent.

The Big 12’s recent expansion and realignment have also played a role in its evolving perception. The departure of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC has led some to question the Big 12's strength, even though the conference has made bold moves to reinforce itself by adding strong programs like BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF. These additions have enhanced the conference’s reach and talent pool, but the Big 12 is still fighting to be seen as a national power equal to conferences with decades of established powerhouses.

Additionally, the Big 12’s reputation for high-scoring, offense-driven games—while exciting for fans—can sometimes lead to a perception that the conference lacks defensive strength. This can be an unfair label, as many Big 12 programs have invested in improving defensive strategies and have produced NFL-caliber talent on both sides of the ball. However, the perception persists and can sometimes make the Big 12 seem less balanced compared to conferences that emphasize traditional, defense-oriented styles of play.

Ultimately, the Big 12’s competitiveness, thrilling matchups, and unique style make it an essential part of college football. Yet, to earn consistent national respect, its teams often need to overcome both external bias and internal obstacles to prove that they belong in the same conversation as the SEC, Big Ten, and other power conferences. As the Big 12 evolves with new teams and faces, it has a strong foundation to continue building its national presence and commanding the respect it deserves.

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