BRUTAL: Texas Tech to TCU, Big 12 Moving Football to WEEKNIGHTS, Oustide of United States

The Locked On Big 12 podcast dives into the controversial scheduling decisions by the Big 12 Conference, particularly the move to host high-profile football games on weeknights and internationally—such as Texas Tech playing TCU in Dallas on a Thursday and multiple teams traveling overseas. Hosts Drake Toll and Christian Rauld express concern that these moves alienate core fanbases, especially in Texas and Kansas, where Saturday football is sacred. They argue that the focus on international exposure and Friday night games undermines the traditional college football experience and risks damaging viewership, despite the league’s pursuit of revenue. The discussion extends to Utah’s perceived drop in viewership after joining the Big 12, with data showing mixed results and suggesting the issue may be more about brand identity than conference affiliation. The hosts also highlight Kansas State’s potential resurgence under new offensive coordinator Colin Klein, projecting a minimum of eight wins based on a favorable schedule and improved roster, though they acknowledge key uncertainties in the offensive and defensive lines. The episode closes with skepticism about the Big 12’s long-term strategy, questioning whether chasing money through global events and non-traditional scheduling will ultimately hurt the conference’s authenticity and fan loyalty.