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LAS VEGAS — How to put this delicately? The expanded Big 12’s biggest strength might be its lack of collective history. Only two programs — Colorado and BYU — have won national championships. That’s fewest among Power Four conferences.
With all due respect to this island of disparate toys, in this age of radical realignment, the Big 12 essentially has settled in with 16 unwanted teams. While that sounds harsh, it can also be viewed as a positive in these turbulent times.
Why? Because that also signals security. The brotherhood grew in increments this week during the conference’s annual media days event. Coaches gushed about Deion Sanders. They praised league-favorite Utah. The “original six” — Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Baylor, TCU and Texas Tech — looked around the room and agreed it all looked pretty cool.
“I think it’s a unique time in this conference,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. “It’s kind of a battle for who has longevity and who can stand out from the crowd.”
Top heavy, the league ain’t. Whomever wins the Big 12 in its first season as a 16-team league will probably achieve something it never has in the past: play for a national championship.
Never mind that eventually requires wading through four games under the new 12-team College Football Playoff format to actually win that natty; that’s hardly the point. Who among the 16 wouldn’t post a participation CFP banner in their indoor facility just for earning a spot in the field?
“You guys know,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold told reporters Wednesday at the Big 12 Media Days. “We’ve been begging for this to happen for so long.”
Kansas is among a half dozen teams in the league (maybe more) that have never had the opportunity to sell something like this….
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/big-12-parity-amid-expansion-may-prove-leagues-biggest-strength-in-expanded-college-football-playoff-era/
Author : Dennis Dodd
Publish date : 2024-07-11 18:09:43
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