Big Stories

From “Where do we go from here?” to “Spoiler warning,” we’re breaking down the biggest stories going on right now in the Big 12: West Virginia's Struggles, BYU’s rise, Houston’s surprise — and everything in between.

GUESTS:

Mike Casezza - EerSports at 247.com and the Country Roads Confidential Podcast

John Walters - Voice of the Cyclones and host of the "CyCast" Podcast

BYU's Cougar Tail is a staple for football fans who attend games at LaVell Edwards Stadium. But what are the origins of the large maple bar? And why would BYU make a donut its signature food item at sporting events? Well, Cleon Wall and the Big Stories team found a guy who was there from the inception of the sweet treat and can fill us in on the maple-ee details.

Guests:

Russ Robertson - Former BYU Donut Guru

John McDonald - Executive Chef, BYU Dining Services

Job Rodriguez - Support Services Director, BYU Dining Services

Jared Wilkey - Current BYU Donut Guru

It’s a wild ride in the Big 12 as more than half the conference still has a shot at making the championship game. In this week’s episode, we break down the pivotal “must-win” matchups for contenders like Utah and Iowa State, dive into the Sunflower Showdown, and tackle the toughest question of all: who’s truly the best team in the Big 12 right now? Spoiler alert—it’s not as simple as looking at the standings.

GUESTS:

Brian Howell - Buffzone

Tim Fitzgerald - GoPOWERCAT.com

Cody Stovall’s path to hosting Locked On Oklahoma State is anything but typical. In this episode of Big Stories, Cleon Wall dives into Cody’s lifelong Cowboys fandom, his days as a college athlete, and the life-altering health battle that led to the loss of his leg. Discover how grit, passion, and a love for Oklahoma State carried Cody from the oil fields to the podcast mic. Subscribe to Big Stories for more powerful journeys from across the Big 12, and hear the heart behind the headlines.

Guests:

Cody Stovall - Locked On Oklahoma State Podcast Host

Logan Osborn-Stovall - Cody's Stepson

In this episode of Big Stories, it’s all about in-state showdowns and gridiron bragging rights. Host Cleon Wall dives into the fierce rivalries between BYU and Utah, TCU and Baylor, and Texas Tech’s surprising dominance across the Lone Star State. Plus, Cleon breaks down which teams desperately need a bye week—and why Cincinnati is back on his “Are You For Real?” list.

GUESTS:

Chris Level - Locked On Texas Tech Podcast

Josh Furlong - KSL.com and the Utah Checkdown Podcast

Jason Shepherd - BYU SportsNation

Zach Smith - Waco Tribune

Arizona State’s Kendall Whitmarsh carries a name that resonates deeply in the world of beach volleyball. Her father, Mike Whitmarsh, was a legend in the sport—an Olympic silver medalist in 1996. Tragically, he passed away when Kendall was just five years old. In this episode of the Big Stories podcast, explore how Kendall keeps her father's legacy alive while forging her own identity—both in life and on the sand. It’s a heartfelt journey of remembrance, resilience, and rising talent.

Guests: Kendall Whitmarsh - ASU Beach Volleyball Player

Cindy Whitmarsh - Kendall's Mom and Fitness Expert

Subscribe to Big Stories for more amazing and uplifting tales from around the Big 12!

On this episode of the Big Stories Pod, we break down our Top 5 teams from last week's action and spotlight a surprising contender emerging in the race for the Big 12 Championship. When will Oklahoma State finally notch an FBS win? Plus, we preview an exciting Week 7 slate featuring massive matchups: #21 Arizona State heads to Salt Lake to face Utah, Kansas takes on 9th-ranked Texas Tech, and more games that could shake up the standings.

Guests:

Erik Ruby - PHNX Sun Devils Podcast

Mark Van Sickle - The Jayhawker Talker Podcast

Cody Stovall - Locked On Oklahoma State

Alex Markham - Utenation.com

The Big Stories team is scouring the Big 12 for more inspirational stories for this season. In the meantime, we thought we would dip into the Big Stories archive to bring you an encore presentation of an episode from Season 1.

Cassady Brewer wanted out of Apopka, Florida. The softball player desired to play anywhere other than nearby UCF. But Cassady's mother desired for her to play for the Knights before she died. In this podcast episode, we discover why Cassady stuck close to home to play softball and how coach Cindy Ball-Malone's influence guided her return to the Knights as an assistant coach.

Guests:

Cassady Brewer - Former UCF Assistant Softball Coach

Bobby Brewer - Cassady's Father

Cindy Ball-Malone - UCF Head Softball Coach

The Big Stories pod crowns a new top Big 12 team from week 5 - highlighting a few squads that pulled off amazing comebacks. They also dive into the biggest storylines heading into Week 6, featuring insights from Big 12 podcasters across the conference. Tune in for a preview of the “Texas Two-Step” showdown between Texas Tech and Houston, and a look at Cincinnati’s high-stakes clash with Iowa State.

Guests:

RC Maxfield - The Red and Black Report

Melissa Triebwasser - Frogs Insider Podcast

Charlie Walter - Chatterbox Bearcats Podcast

 Trace Trylko - Sons of UCF Podcast

Emily Bott flips, twists, and tumbles with the best in collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling. As a key member of Baylor’s National Championship-winning team, she earned All-American honors in her sophomore season. But behind her powerful performances is a story of grit and resilience. In this episode of Big Stories, Emily opens up about her scoliosis diagnosis, the invasive spinal surgery that left her with a metal rod in her back, and her unwavering determination to compete at the highest level.

Guests:

Emily Bott - Baylor Acrobatics and Tumbling athlete

Christine Bott - Emily's Mother