Big 12 parity between expansions could prove to be the league’s greatest strength in the expanded College Football Playoff era

LAS VEGAS–How to put this delicately? Could be the expanded Big 12’s biggest strength Shortage Of collective history. Only two programs – Colorado and BYU – have won national championships. This is the lowest among the Power Four conferences.

With all due respect to this island of unequal toys, in this era of radical realignment, the Big 12 has essentially settled with 16 unwanted teams. Although this seems harsh, it can also be seen as a positive in these turbulent times.

Why? Because that also indicates security. The camaraderie grew during the conference’s annual media day event this week. The coach spoke highly of Deion Sanders. He praised league-favorite Utah. The “Original Six” – Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Baylor, TCU and Texas Tech – looked around the room and agreed that it all looked great.

“I think it’s a unique time in this conference,” Iowa State coach Matt Campbell said. “It’s kind of a battle of who has longevity and who can stand out from the crowd.”

Top heavy, not league. Whoever wins the Big 12 in its first season as a 16-team league will likely accomplish something it’s never done before: play for a national championship.

Never mind that it would ultimately have to go four games under the new 12-team College Football Playoff format to win that championship; Maybe this is the point. Who among the 16 wouldn’t put up a participation CFP banner in their indoor facility just to earn a spot in the field?

“You guys know,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold told reporters at Big 12 Media Days on Wednesday. “We’ve been begging for this to happen for a long time.”

Kansas is one of a half-dozen teams (maybe more) in the league that have never had the opportunity to sell this kind of thing. The Jayhawks are coming off their fifth nine-win season in program history. Leipold is one of the most sought-after coaches in the country.

Utah is entering its first season as a Big 12 member favored to win the conference, after exiting the Pac-12 by winning two of the league’s last three titles. However, a Rose Bowl appearance in this era is not as prestigious as a College Football Playoff berth.

Arizona, if it can match last year’s 10-win season, has a chance. Kansas State also finished second to Utah in the preseason media poll. With Texas and Oklahoma moving to the SEC, Oklahoma State is considered the strongest current program – but Mike Gundy and the Cowboys have won one conference title in 19 seasons.

What about the state of Iowa? UCF?

“First of all, controlling your own destiny is the biggest key,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “You don’t have to rely on anyone else to get you there. That’s a first for us.”

In the first year of the expanded CFP, the top five ranked conference champions automatically entered the field. The top four ranked teams receive a bye into the first round. The highest-ranked Group of Five champion gets an automatic berth.

This leaves six big berths.

It’s not (necessarily) one berth,” Commissioner Brett Yormark said. “Maybe it’s two or three.”

One can only dream. In the CFP’s 10-year history with Texas and Oklahoma as league members, the Big 12 has had only six of the combined 40 berths. This was the second lowest among the Power Five.

However, expanding to 12 teams means more access for everyone.

“I don’t think the league has a face,” Yormark said. “Every school brings value. Collectively, they create the narrative that we need. I don’t think there’s any face or any outside program that is effectively carrying the torch. Just based on the commonality of football. “It kind of speaks to the depth and breadth of the conference. It’s okay, as we mature as a 16-team league, someone will rise to the top.”

Yormark talked a lot about equality at media days. This could be a plus or it could mean you have a bunch of average teams. Consider the dearly departed Pac-12. The league’s decline competitively began when it could no longer compete for a championship, not from failed media rights negotiations.

The Pac-12 went nine years between College Football Playoff appearances (both Washington) and ended its existence with the fewest CFP berths of any Power Five conference (3).

You used to be able to set your clock for November 1 in the Pac-12 — the date when every team suffered at least two losses and the conference was effectively eliminated from the CFP race.

The expanded CFP now meets everyone in the middle. You don’t need to be perfect; You just have to win your league. Depending on the circumstances and strength of schedule, two losses may be enough to earn a spot.

“There is so much more at stake,” Yormark said. “It makes the season more competitive. I’m excited because we think internally the month of November is going to be something we can take full advantage of; there’s going to be a lot of stories.”

Every conference has a face. In the SEC, it’s multiples – Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee, etc. In the Big Ten, it’s Ohio State and Michigan. In the ACC, it’s Florida State and Clemson. In the Big 12, it’s…to be determined. Seven different teams have played in the conference championship game since 2019.

“It’s easy to say OU and Texas (left),” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said. “I would say without a doubt that OU (was better). Texas had a phenomenal year last year but … you have some traditions that have survived, but when you really look at it, OU was the one that Really dominated this conference for a long time.”

Is there room for everyone now?