It’s officially Big 12 Anonymous Player Survey season! Or SZN, as the kids say. 

I talked to nearly 30 Big 12 players to get the scoop on the toughest place to play in the league, who is winning the league, the biggest trash talkers, the craziest things coaches have done to try to get them in the portal, and more. 

We’re kicking it off today with the players’ pick to win the Big 12 championship. They weren’t allowed to vote for their own team. 

Remember, Big 12 coaches picked BYU over Texas Tech in On3’s Brett McMurphy’s anonymous poll. 

The players picked…Texas Tech. But just barely. Houston had a commanding lead after day one in Frisco, but the Red Raiders came charging back. 

Texas Tech – 10
Houston – 9
BYU – 7
Utah – 3
Arizona – 1

Here’s what the players had to say:

“Tech is super talented. They’ve got a lot of good players still on their team. Hopefully we knock them off.”

“Houston was a 10-3 team. When we played them, they were good. And they have a lot of guys coming back.” 

“Houston returns a lot of talent, and they have a good quarterback and receivers.”

“Houston’s looking really good. I think they have a real shot.” 

“It’s probably between BYU and Tech.”

“I love the U (Utah). I hope they do well. To beat them in the championship game would be amazing. That would be a trip for real.” 

As somebody who is very high on Houston this year, the players backed me up with their love for the Coogs. 

I’d highly suggest checking out my conversation with Houston head coach Willie Fritz to learn exactly why the players are so high on his squad this year. 

As you might expect, there was plenty of deference toward Texas Tech after the Red Raiders ran through the league last season and reloaded in the portal. But some players took out major frustration toward Tech when I asked about the biggest trash talkers in the league. Stay tuned to future newsletters to see those quotes. 

I’m going to keep it short today while loading you up with Big 12 media days content in the links. 

What You Need to Know

• If you hate the Big 12’s deal with Monster, make sure to read this column from Matt Brown of Extra Points. It’s an excellent analysis of the situation. 

• My take on the Big 12’s Monster deal falls in line with Matt’s. 

• BYU is the latest Big 12 school to sign a jersey patch deal of its own. 

• Longtime Iowa State AD Jamie Pollard announced he will retire next June.

• BYU head coach Kalani Sitake surprised me with how candid he was about why he seriously considered the Penn State job. 

• Iowa State insider Chris Williams says the Cyclones’ NIL situation is about to get a lot better thanks to one person. 

• Big 12 Chief Football and Competition Officer Scott Draper says K-State-Iowa State could become a protected rivalry soon. 

• Arizona head coach Brent Brennan used lessons from a legendary basketball coach to turn the Wildcats around last season.

• Want your Big 12 news and analysis in podcast form? Listen to Open For Business at the gym, in your car, or first thing in the morning on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.

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