Bigger Than 12: Big 12 Preseason Predictions: Playoff Teams, Hot Seats & BOLD Takes!

Key takeaways

The episode is a comprehensive preseason preview of the 2026 Big 12 football season, covering predictions on standings, awards, and key games.
Jake and Derek have differing views on team rankings, coaching hot seats, and playoff potential, adding depth to their analysis.
The importance of marquee non-conference matchups, especially Notre Dame vs. BYU, as pivotal for national perception and playoff qualification.
Bold predictions include BYU beating Notre Dame, the Big 12 sending two teams to the playoff, and the conference winning a playoff game for the first time in years.
The hosts highlight the nervous excitement and anticipation surrounding the start of the season, especially with the TCU vs. UNC game in Dublin.
The episode is sponsored by WealthCharter Retirement + Tax, which offers services to help with wealth planning and tax preparation.

Summary

Season Kickoff and Episode Overview

The hosts, Jake Brend and Derek Duke, introduce their third season of Bigger Than 12, emphasizing the significance of their preseason predictions for the 2026 Big 12 football season. They mention upcoming content including preseason standings, conference champions, Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and hot seat rankings. They also preview key games, bold predictions, and the conference chances in the college football playoff, highlighting their anticipation for the season's start in Dublin with the TCU vs. North Carolina game.

Big 12 Preseason Predictions and Standings

The hosts share their predictions for the Big 12 standings, with a focus on the top and bottom teams. Jake predicts Texas Tech to win the conference, with BYU also making a strong playoff push. Derek’s rankings place Colorado, Cincinnati, and West Virginia near the bottom, with Texas Tech and BYU topping. Discussions reveal differing opinions on team strengths and schedules, especially on how Arizona State, Oklahoma State, and Iowa State are positioned in the hierarchy.

Hot Seat Rankings and Coach Predictions

The hosts discuss the coaches most at risk of losing their jobs based on recent performances, team trajectories, and program expectations. Dave Aranda is placed at the highest risk (10/10), while others like Scott Satterfield and Sonny Dykes are also considered hot seats. They debate whether coaches like Kenny Dillingham and Lance Leipold might leave for other opportunities or face pressure due to team results. Personal insights and current trends suggest a volatile coaching landscape in the conference.

Big 12 and National Theater Predictions

Predictions include the likelihood of the Big 12 producing a playoff team, with strong optimism about BYU and Texas Tech, and a potential for the conference to win a playoff game for the first time since TCU's 2014 victory. They emphasize key matchups like Houston vs. Texas Tech, Utah vs. BYU for the Holy War, and Notre Dame vs. BYU, highlighting their importance for the league's national perception. The significance of non-conference results and marquee games for the playoff picture is underscored.

Bold Predictions and Key Takeaways

The hosts deliver bold predictions, including BYU beating Notre Dame, the Big 12 sending two teams to the playoff, and the conference winning a playoff game. They also foresee at least four Big 12 teams finishing with nine or more wins. These predictions reflect their confident outlook on the season’s potential surprises and league strength. They conclude with reflections on the upcoming Dublin game and the potential overreactions that will follow, emphasizing their excitement for the season.

Show notes

Jake Brend and Derek Duke make their official 2026 Big 12 football preseason predictions on Bigger Than 12! The guys reveal their Big 12 preseason standings, conference championship pick, Player of the Year and Coach of the Year selections, biggest games of the season, hot seat rankings, and several bold predictions.

They debate BYU, Texas Tech, Utah, Houston, Arizona, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, TCU, Iowa State, UCF, and the rest of the Big 12, including which teams could surprise, which coaches are under the most pressure, and which players could become national stars.

The guys also identify the three most important Big 12 games of 2026, including Houston at Texas Tech, the Holy War between BYU and Utah, and Notre Dame at BYU. Plus, they discuss the Big 12's College Football Playoff chances, TCU vs. North Carolina in Dublin, and whether the conference can finally win another playoff game.

Bigger Than 12 presented by WealthCharter Retirement + Tax. Only on Iowa Everywhere.
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