Locked On Big 12 | Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast

The persistent revenue gap between the "Power Two" (SEC and Big Ten) and the rest of college athletics has created a volatile environment where even the Big 12’s strongest brands, like Texas Tech, must remain strategically agile. As of April 21, 2026, the financial disparity is stark: Big Ten and SEC schools are projected to receive nearly 60% of the $1.3 billion annual CFP payout beginning next season. For a program like Texas Tech, which is currently coming off a Big 12 Championship and a College Football Playoff berth, the "move up" is no longer about seeking validation—it’s about securing the capital necessary to sustain elite-level recruiting and NIL infrastructure. Texas Tech’s path upward is paved by its recent dominance and "sleeping giant" market potential. By winning at a high level and securing top-five national recruiting classes, Joey McGuire has turned Lubbock into a destination that the SEC or Big Ten can no longer ignore based on geography alone. For these "Super Conferences," an ideal expansion target offers a combination of a massive, rabid fanbase and a high-functioning athletic department. Tech’s recent $242 million investment in south end zone and training facilities provides the "professional-grade" optics required for a seat at the big table. Other Big 12 brands, such as Arizona and Utah, could look to move by leveraging their basketball prestige or unique Western markets to fill "holes" in the Big Ten’s coastal footprint. However, the most likely scenario involves the Big 12 positioning itself as a "Super Conference" of its own. Rumors of a Big 12-ACC merger suggest a defensive maneuver where the "Middle Two" combine to control 50% of the NCAA Tournament's value, creating a third financial pillar that prevents poaching and keeps brands like Texas Tech at the forefront of the national conversation. Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The prospect of AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson returning to the Big 12 for their sophomore seasons has shifted from a desperate fan theory into a legitimate financial conversation. As the 2026 NBA Draft cycle intensifies, the "NIL factor" is narrowing the gap between the NBA rookie wage scale and the massive retention packages being assembled in Provo and Lawrence. At BYU, the "Dybantsa Watch" reached a fever pitch following his 35-point explosion in the NCAA Tournament. While the 6-foot-9 wing is a consensus top-two pick, his recent interviews have sent shockwaves through the industry by suggesting he is genuinely weighing a return. With a current NIL valuation between $7 million and $10 million—bolstered by major partners like Nike and Red Bull—Dybantsa is already earning at a professional level. For a No. 1 pick, the first-year NBA salary hovers around $14.5 million; when taxes and agent fees are factored in, the financial "sacrifice" of staying at BYU for a legacy-defining Final Four run is smaller than ever before.     Meanwhile, at Kansas, Darryn Peterson has remained inconspicuously quiet regarding his draft status. Despite being a projected lottery pick, Peterson’s freshman year was plagued by nagging injuries. Rumors suggest that Bill Self and the Kansas collective are pitching a "reclamation" year—a healthy sophomore season where Peterson can prove his durability and lock in the No. 1 overall spot for 2027. If Peterson opts to "run it back" alongside a healthy Jayhawk core, it would represent the biggest recruiting coup of the NIL era. In the new Big 12, the choice is no longer just "pro vs. college," but rather "NBA rookie vs. college superstar," and for the first time, the money is making it a fair fight. Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The buzz surrounding Texas Tech’s 2026 spring camp isn't just standard offseason optimism; it is the sound of a program that has officially weaponized the transfer portal to complement a foundational roster. Following a 2025 season that saw the Red Raiders capture a Big 12 title, Joey McGuire has managed to elevate the floor of the program through sheer depth. With 23 players on the roster who have started at the FBS level—a stat that reportedly leads the country—the "good on good" periods in practice have resembled mid-season conference battles rather than typical spring walk-throughs. The center of this "elite" transformation is quarterback Brendan Sorsby. The Cincinnati transfer has made an immediate impact, capping off the April 17 spring scrimmage with four touchdown passes, including a dynamic eight-yard strike to Micah Hudson on the final play. Sorsby’s arrival has provided a veteran steadying hand to Mack Leftwich’s offense, allowing the staff to rotate a deep stable of receivers like Coy Eakin, Jalen Jones, and the explosive Donte Lee Jr. without a drop-off in production.     Defensively, the unit is "flying around" with a violent consistency. All-American defensive lineman A.J. Holmes Jr. remains the anchor, but the emergence of edge threats like Adam Trick—projected for double-digit sacks—suggests a pass rush that could be the league's most disruptive. Combined with the veteran leadership of linebacker Ben Roberts, the Red Raiders aren't just practicing to get better; they are practicing like a team that expects to be the hunted in the new Big 12. In Lubbock, the narrative has shifted from "building" to "reloading." Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The potential move of the University of Pittsburgh to the Big 12 has evolved from a nostalgic "what if" into a strategic focal point of the 2026 realignment cycle. As the SEC and Big Ten solidify their positions as a "Power Two" duopoly, the Big 12 has pivoted toward an aggressive eastward expansion strategy designed to bridge the gap and secure its status as the third pillar of college athletics. The addition of Pitt is seen as the "linchpin" for a new Eastern Division. The primary motivator is the restoration of the Backyard Brawl, one of college football’s most authentic and vitriolic rivalries. Bringing Pitt and West Virginia under the same conference banner for the first time since the Big East era would provide the Big 12 with a guaranteed annual ratings juggernaut and a geographic anchor in the Northeast. Furthermore, Pitt’s inclusion alongside current Big 12 member Cincinnati and fellow rumored targets like Louisville would create a high-density "Steel and Bluegrass" pod, drastically reducing travel costs for non-revenue sports. From a brand perspective, Pitt offers the Big 12 a unique blend of "Blue Blood" basketball history and recent football relevance. The Panthers' presence would solidify the Big 12's claim as the nation’s premier basketball conference, adding an elite Pittsburgh market and a direct recruiting pipeline into the talent-rich Pennsylvania and Ohio corridors. While the ACC's Grant of Rights remains a formidable legal barrier, the ongoing litigation from schools like Florida State has created a "waiting room" atmosphere. For the Big 12, adding Pitt isn't just about expansion—it's about survival through synergy. By absorbing the most culturally compatible brands from the ACC, the Big 12 is positioning itself as the ultimate home for "Middle Two" programs looking to avoid being left behind in the shifting media landscape. Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The perception of Locked On Big 12 as "clickbait" is a classic case of the medium's modern delivery conflicting with traditional sports journalism. Because the show operates within a high-volume, daily podcast network, its packaging—aggressive YouTube thumbnails, all-caps headlines, and polarizing hooks—is designed to survive the "algorithmic jungle." To a casual observer scrolling through a feed, titles like "SOURCE: BIG 12, ACC MERGER COMPLETE" or "ROB WRIGHT III USED BYU" can appear like sensationalist trap-setting. However, beneath the high-octane packaging is a show that prioritizes granular, conference-specific expertise. The "clickbait" label often falls apart upon actually listening. While a headline might lead with a provocative question about a player’s loyalty or a conference’s expansion, the actual 30-minute episode typically provides nuanced analysis of NIL mechanics, transfer portal "poaching," and deep-dive scheme breakdowns. The show isn't manufacturing news; it’s amplifying the existing intensity of Big 12 fandom.     Furthermore, the "clickbait" accusation is often a byproduct of the show's willingness to lean into passionate narratives. Whether it's the sustained focus on BYU’s dominance or the heated defense of the Big 12’s "meat grinder" schedule over the SEC, the content is unapologetically opinionated. Fans of rival schools often mistake this strong editorial voice for "engagement baiting." In reality, Locked On Big 12 is simply fulfilling the "Everydayer" mandate: providing a daily, exhaustive fix for a fan base that lives and breathes the most volatile conference in college sports. It isn't clickbait—it's just high-frequency, high-energy coverage for an audience that never hits the "off" switch. Everydayer Club  If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub     Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Rugiet Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men. Rocket Money Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join athttps://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON. Turbo Tax This year you’re getting a major upgrade — Intuit TurboTax now has in-person locations nationwide. Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel.Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins.Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started — Play Your Game.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.