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Usually at this time of year as we enter the middle of July, Big 12 Media Days do not command the type of firework display usually seen at the beginning of the month. This year however, with a new conference commissioner, a new favorite atop the conference, and more questions arising daily about NIL and conference expansion, could give this week a certain buzz.
Big 12 Media Days are set to take place Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and with that there are certainly plenty of things to watch for.
Expansion
Over the past few weeks, conference expansion has ruled the talk of the college football world and that will not change this week. The Big 12 is set to add four teams to their current 10-team league next summer. The additions of BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF have been known for almost a year now. The biggest question mark is what is next. The Big Ten has already added USC and UCLA, which would make some believe it is the beginning of the end of the Pac 12. Does that mean the Big 12 tries to keep expanding by adding more teams? The rumors are out there, but this week should provide some answers.
New CommissionerÂ
Brett Yormark does not begin his role as commissioner of the Big 12 until Aug. 1, but will make a public appearance for the first time since being named the Big 12 Commissioner. Yormark will be thrown into the fire as expansion talks have heated up and as we are a year through NIL rules changing. It will be interesting to see the path Yormark has the Big 12 taking.
Baylor up, OU down?
For the first time in six years, Oklahoma is not chosen as the preseason conference favorite. Baylor was able to take that crown from the Sooners, but Oklahoma finished a close second. It will be interesting to see what new Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables has to say about his squad heading into his first season as a head coach. As for the Bears, they are coming off a Big 12 Championship this past season. The Bears will now have a target on their backs and it will be interesting to watch and see how they handle it.
NIL
We are now over a year into the NIL era of college sports and with NIL and the transfer portal being the new wave in college football, keep an eye on how coaches continue to feel. Whether it be more regulations, certain date periods, or more transparency, expect some coaches to talk about the status of college football in regards to Name, Image, and Likeness.
Big 12 Media Days are set to get going on Wednesday and Thursday, and there will certainly be plenty to talk about.Â
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