Football is (Almost) Here, Folks

Football season is close, folks! We have the first edition of the Coaches Poll, and I’m pleasantly surprised at the respect shown to the Big 12. It’s certainly a fair representation of what we expect from the league this year – a lot of good teams without much to separate them from each other. 

As close as the season may feel, we also have a list today that reeks of the offseason. Somebody let an algorithm rank Big 12 stadium experiences, and, uh, it’s going to rile some of you up. 

The Colorado story from Athlon is also sure to draw some strong reactions from across the college football world. It seems prudent to take it with a bit of a grain of salt – we don’t typically see Athlon breaking stories – but it certainly adds more fuel to the fire for Deion haters.

What You Need to Know

• Five Big 12 teams are ranked in the initial coaches poll, with Utah (#13) leading the way. K-State (#17), Oklahoma State (#18), Arizona (#21), and Kansas (#24) aren’t far behind. The league also has five other teams receiving votes. 

• Former TCU coach Gary Patterson didn’t make it past six months on the Baylor staff. After hiring him in February, Baylor released a statement saying they’re parting ways. Patterson spent the 2022 season on the Texas staff as a special assistant and was out of coaching last year. For now, his tour of TCU’s rivals has come to an end. Does SMU have any openings?

• Athlon Sports made explosive allegations about what’s going on at Colorado. They cite anonymous former players who tell tales of a locker room filled with “weapons, gambling charges, and fist fights.” This certainly won’t improve the discourse around the program. 

• San Jose Mercury News reporter Jon Wilner shut down any rumors that the Big 12 has legitimate interest in adding Oregon State and Washington State. I feel for the Beavers and Cougars, but it doesn’t make financial sense for the league at all. 

• The Big 12 may be one of the leagues involved in discussions with Oregon State and Washington State about a scheduling alliance, though. Wilner reports that the two schools are engaged in “creative ways to work together” with Power Four and Group of Five leagues. 

• Which Big 12 stadium has the best pregame experience? One site created an algorithm to give us the answer. Why leave that to an algorithm? I have no idea! But I can guarantee you this list will cause some controversy—unless you’re a K-State fan.

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Big 12 Player Survey: Texas and OU

Sadly, we’ve come to the final installment of the anonymous Big 12 player survey. Later this week, I’ll send you the entire survey in full for those of you who didn’t sign up in time to read it. 

Today, we have quotes about Texas and Oklahoma in the SEC. I asked players at Big 12 Media Days how they thought the Sooners and Longhorns would are in the SEC this year. Sooner fans may want to turn away. 

What they said:

“Texas will be pretty good this year. They’ll be somewhere toward the top four teams. I think Oklahoma will be kind of middle of the pack.”

“Oklahoma? Not well. With a new quarterback, a lot of guys leaving, and a not-solidified program, it’s going to be tough.”

“Texas will be fine just off of size and experience. Quinn is a good quarterback, and he’ll be able to operate within that.” 

“Oklahoma has a really tough schedule. I was talking to a friend about that. It’s going to be interesting.”

“I think they’re gonna do alright. It’s gonna be interesting to see how physical they play against the Bama and Floridas.”

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The Bottom Line

I saw such a strong reaction from Big 12 fans on Twitter about the Big 12 gameday experience rankings that I felt compelled to weigh in. 

Yes, I realize this is all based on an “algorithm” from Bookies.com (everybody’s favorite site), but I love how much Big 12 fans care about their home atmospheres. It’s what makes this league great. 

I’ve been to a game at every stadium in the old Big 12 at least three times, and I’ve been to Folsom Field in Boulder twice, so I have some level of expertise here. 

Here are my thoughts:

As a K-State fan, I certainly can’t complain about Bill Snyder Family Stadium taking the top spot. The tailgating is in the conversation for best in the league, and $100+ million in football facility and stadium improvements over the last decade or so have massively improved the aesthetics. 

Is it truly number one? Out of the stadiums I've been to, there’s an argument to be made for Oklahoma State, West Virginia, K-State, and maybe Iowa State. 

If you’re looking for disrespect on this list, there’s plenty to go around. 

First and foremost – how can you disrespect the Iowa State tailgating scene like that? I’d have no argument if you ranked the Cyclones at the top of the Big 12 tailgating list. 

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Iowa State fans show up. And drink beer. Lots and lots of beer. 

When I advocated for ISU on Twitter, the only pushback I got was that it sucks to tailgate there when it gets cold. 

That’s exactly why they should be higher! It doesn’t matter what the weather conditions are, their fans are going to be there tailgating. 

It’s a popular talking point to criticize ranking Lubbock as the second-best location in the league, and I can definitely understand to an extent. 

But Lubbock gets way too much hate as a city. It’s a blast. You get college town vibes with a much larger city than the average college town. 

Is it a little hard to get to and not around much? Sure, but when you’re actually there, it’s awesome. 

On the other end of the spectrum, how on earth is BYU getting hit with the fourth-worst location in the conference? Has anybody shown the algorithm a freaking picture of the backdrop at LaVell Edwards Stadium??

Baylor should be respected more for the tailgating scene at McLane Stadium. It’s such a unique element to add to a college football atmosphere. 

That stadium is also absolutely gorgeous. One of my absolute favorite stadium designs in the conference. 

Admittedly, it’s been a while since I’ve been to Boulder for a game, but I don’t remember a great tailgating scene in 2008 and 2010 when I was there. I’ll just have to take the almighty algo’s word for it. 

I’d also rank Folsom Field at the bottom of family sentiment. The last time I was there, Colorado fans put empty beer bottles under the tires of our K-State university vehicle hoping to give us a flat. It’s no place for the meek. 

I’d bump up the West Virginia location ranking. The scenery around Morgantown is beautiful and so unique from the rest of the league. 

I haven’t been to the Bounce House yet (will change that asap), but shouldn’t that be on top of the family sentiment list? You’re right by Disney World!

What else am I missing? Feel free to reply and let me know. 

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