Big 12 parity amid expansion could prove league’s greatest strength in expanded College Football Playoff era

LAS VEGAS – How to put it delicately? The expanded Big 12’s greatest strength may be its lack in collective history. Only two programs – Colorado and BYU – have won national championships. That’s the fewest among the Power Four conferences.

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

Why? Because it’s also a sign of safety. The brotherhood grew stronger this week at the conference’s annual media days. Coaches praised Deion Sanders. They praised league-favorite Utah. The “original six” — Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Baylor, TCU and Texas Tech — looked around the room and agreed that everything looked pretty cool.

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

The league isn’t that heavy. Whoever wins the Big 12 in its first season as a 16-team league will likely accomplish something it’s never accomplished in the past: play for a national championship.

Never mind that it ultimately takes four games in the new 12-team College Football Playoff format to win this national championship; that’s not really the point. Who among the 16 teams wouldn’t display a CFP banner in their indoor facility just for earning a spot on the field?

“You all know,” Kansas coach Lance Leipold told reporters Wednesday at Big 12 Media Days. “We’ve been asking for this to happen for so long.”

Kansas is one of a half-dozen teams in the league (maybe more) that have never had the opportunity to sell something like this. 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.

After leaving the Pac-12 having won two of the league’s last three titles, Utah enters its first season as a member of the Big 12 favored to win the conference. Rose Bowl appearances, however, aren’t as coveted as College Football Playoff berths these days.

Arizona, if it can match last season’s 10 wins, has a chance. So does Kansas State, ranked second behind Utah in the preseason media poll. With Texas and Oklahoma moving to the SEC, Oklahoma State is seen as the strongest program in existence — but Mike Gundy and the Cowboys have won just one conference title in 19 seasons.

What about Iowa State? UCF?

“First of all, controlling your own destiny is key,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “Not having to rely on somebody else to make it happen. That’s a first for us.”

In the first year of the expanded CFP, the top five ranked conference champions will automatically be in the field. The top four ranked teams will earn a first-round bye. The highest-ranked Group of Five champion will earn an automatic berth.

There are therefore six places left available.

“It’s not (necessarily) just one bed,” Commissioner Brett Yormark said, “maybe two or three.”

One can only dream. In the 10-year history of the CFP with Texas and Oklahoma as league members, the Big 12 has accounted for just six of the 40 combined spots. That was the second-fewest among the Power Five.

The expansion to 12 teams, however, means better access for everyone.

“I don’t think there’s one face of the league,” Yormark added. “Every school brings value. Collectively, they create the narrative that we need. I don’t think there’s one face or one program that’s an effective torchbearer. Just based on the parity of football, it speaks to the depth and breadth of the conference. It’s not a big deal. Over time, as we mature as a 16-team league, someone rises to the top.”

Yormark has talked a lot about parity at media days. It can be an advantage or it can mean you just have a bunch of average teams. Consider the late Pac-12. The league’s competitive decline began when it couldn’t compete for championships, not because of botched media rights negotiations.

The Pac-12 went nine years without making the College Football Playoff (both in Washington) and finished its existence with the fewest CFP berths of any Power Five conference (3).

Previously in the Pac-12, you could set your watch to Nov. 1, the date by which every team had suffered at least two losses and the conference was effectively eliminated from CFP contention.

The expanded CFP now meets everyone’s expectations. You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to win your championship. Depending on the circumstances and the strength of the schedule, two defeats can be enough to clinch a place.

“There’s more at stake now,” Yormark said. “It makes the season even more competitive. I’m excited because we think internally, November is going to be something we can really enjoy; there’s going to be a lot to talk about.”

Every conference has a face. In the SEC, it’s multiple teams: 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… TBD. Seven different teams have made the conference championship game since 2019.

“It’s easy to say OU and Texas (left),” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said. “I would definitely say OU (was better). Texas had a phenomenal year last year but … there’s a certain tradition that’s gone, but when you really look at it, OU was the one that really dominated this conference for a very long time.”

Now there’s room for… everyone?