Open For Business: College Football w/ John Kurtz

Send us Fan Mail

College football’s preseason narratives are already taking shape, and the Big 12 and ACC may be starting the season at a major disadvantage.

In this livestream, John Kurtz breaks down what the preseason Coaches Poll says about the national perception of the Big 12 and ACC, why Texas Tech, BYU, Utah, Houston, Miami and SMU are already being placed into very specific boxes, and the one thing these conferences must do to finally change the conversation: win College Football Playoff games.

We also dive into the latest developments surrounding the Protect College Sports Act, including the proposed revenue-sharing cap, NIL verification rules, transfer restrictions, conference realignment provisions and the uncertain timeline for a Senate vote.

Plus, USC has reportedly backed out of a future series with Texas Tech, joining Alabama and LSU as major programs dropping scheduled games against Big 12 opponents. What does that mean for the conference’s scheduling problem, playoff access and national reputation?

Later in the show, we get into college football tailgating traditions and discuss the mentality every non-blue blood program should embrace after strong comments from Utah assistant coach Sharrieff Shah. Could Utah, Texas Tech, BYU, SMU or Louisville become the next program to make an unexpected national championship run?

Topics include:

Big 12 and ACC preseason narratives
College football Coaches Poll reaction
Texas Tech and BYU playoff chances
Miami and SMU expectations
Protect College Sports Act update
College football revenue sharing and NIL rules
USC dropping its Texas Tech series
Alabama and LSU canceling Big 12 games
Big 12 nonconference scheduling problems
College football tailgating traditions
Utah football and Sharrieff Shah
Potential surprise College Football Playoff contenders

Subscribe to Open For Business for college football coverage from every angle, including the Big 12, ACC, SEC, Big Ten, College Football Playoff, conference realignment, NIL and the biggest stories shaping the sport.

#CollegeFootball #Big12 #ACC #TexasTech #BYUFootball #UtahFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CFB

Send us Fan Mail

Did the SEC and Big Ten just save the ACC and trap the Big 12?

The SEC and Big Ten have finally agreed to support the Protect College Sports Act after weeks of negotiations over revenue sharing, NIL enforcement, transfer rules and conference realignment.

But their support raises a major question: is this still a good bill for the Big 12 and ACC?

The proposed legislation would raise the athlete compensation cap to nearly $49 million, strengthen NIL enforcement, limit conference membership to 19 teams and force schools moving between power conferences to spend five years as an independent.

Those realignment restrictions could help stabilize the ACC and make it much harder for schools like Florida State, Clemson, Miami and North Carolina to leave. But that could also eliminate the Big 12’s best chance to add major brands and move ahead of the ACC in the college football hierarchy.

We break down:

• Why the SEC and Big Ten finally support the bill
• Who benefits from the new $48.8 million spending cap
• Whether the ACC is the biggest winner
• How the legislation could box in the Big 12
• Whether schools could race to realign before the bill passes
• What Brett Yormark and the Big 12 should do next
• Why Texas Tech and BYU could become even more important
• The latest Senate timeline and whether the bill will actually pass

Plus, Curt Cignetti continues to torment the SEC, Kyle Whittingham weighs in on hatred in college football rivalries and we discuss what it all means for the sport.

Subscribe for national college football coverage with a strong Big 12 focus.

Get “Open For Business,” a Big 12 newsletter, and sign up below:
https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter

#CollegeFootball #Big12 #ACC #SEC #BigTen #CollegeFootballRealignment #NIL #ProtectCollegeSportsAct

Send us Fan Mail

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier gets brutally honest about his historic freshman season with the Cougars.

Bachmeier explains how he learned Aaron Roderick’s offense after arriving at BYU, reveals the toughest Big 12 defenses he faced and breaks down his unforgettable touchdown run against Utah. He also opens up about playing through an ankle injury in the Big 12 Championship Game, BYU’s College Football Playoff disappointment and why he believes the Cougars have national championship potential.

BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker reveals the side of quarterback Bear Bachmeier that fans rarely get to see.

Glasker explains why Bachmeier is far more outspoken and competitive on the field than his laid-back personality suggests, including the trash talk and swagger he brought to BYU from the moment he arrived.

BYU running back LJ Martin reveals the gruesome details of the shoulder injury he played through during the Cougars’ run to the Big 12 Championship Game.

Martin explains how he initially thought the injury was only a stinger before learning that part of the bone had broken off. He details the decision to brace the shoulder instead of undergoing immediate surgery, why he refused to abandon his teammates and how a timid performance against Texas Tech changed his mentality for the rest of the season.

Send us Fan Mail

The Protect College Sports Act may be falling apart before it ever reaches a vote. New disputes over the College Football Playoff calendar, bowl game contracts, roster spending and conference expansion have created even more hurdles for the bill in Congress.

What happens if the legislation does not pass by August 7? Greg Sankey has repeatedly warned that the SEC could pursue a different path, but the commissioner is now clarifying what an SEC “breakaway” would actually mean. We examine whether the SEC truly wants to separate from the rest of college football and why self-governance may be nearly impossible to enforce.

The bill could also create one final round of massive college football realignment. A proposed anti-expansion provision could cap conferences at 19 members and force schools changing power conferences to operate as independents for five years. Could that push ACC programs to make a move toward the SEC or Big Ten before the legislation passes?

Plus, new Florida head coach Jon Sumrall took a shot at the Big 12 and ACC while discussing the differences between Power Four conferences. Was Sumrall simply repeating the SEC company line, or did he make a fair point about strength of schedule and College Football Playoff access?

We break down the Protect College Sports Act, Greg Sankey’s latest comments, the possibility of SEC and Big Ten expansion, Jon Sumrall’s comments about the Big 12 and why the SEC continues to attack the rest of college football.

Get “Open For Business,” a Big 12 newsletter featuring exclusive reporting, analysis and behind-the-scenes college football coverage. Sign up below:
https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter

#CollegeFootball #Big12 #SEC #CollegeFootballPlayoff #ConferenceRealignment #ProtectCollegeSportsAct #GregSankey #FloridaGators #JonSumrall #ACC

Send us Fan Mail

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is doubling down on the possibility of the conference breaking away from the NCAA, and he is not the only one saying the threat is real.

Ross Dellenger has reported that an SEC breakaway could become a legitimate “Plan B” if the Protect College Sports Act fails to pass or does not give the SEC and Big Ten enough of what they want. Josh Pate has also said the threat should be taken seriously.

But what does “breaking away” actually mean?

In this video, John Kurtz examines Sankey’s latest comments from SEC Media Days and explains why the headlines may be getting ahead of the reality. Sankey suggested the SEC may be considering something closer to self-governance, including creating and enforcing its own eligibility rules, rather than completely separating from the rest of college football.

The video also explores whether the SEC is using breakaway talk as leverage against Congress, whether the conference could realistically succeed on its own, and why legal challenges involving players such as Diego Pavia, Trinidad Chambliss and Joey Aguilar would not simply disappear under a new system.

Topics discussed include:

Greg Sankey’s SEC breakaway comments
The Protect College Sports Act
Ross Dellenger’s report on the SEC’s “Plan B”
Josh Pate’s warning about the threat
SEC and Big Ten pressure on Congress
NCAA eligibility rules and enforcement
Whether the SEC could govern itself
The long-term future of college football

Is the SEC truly prepared to break away, or is this an effort to force action from Congress before time runs out?

Get “Open For Business,” a Big 12 newsletter… sign up below:
https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter

#CollegeFootball #SEC #GregSankey #NCAA #CFB #Big12 #CollegeFootballPlayoff

Send us Fan Mail

The SEC is threatening to go nuclear and break away from the current structure of college sports if it does not get what it wants from Congress. But should anyone actually believe Greg Sankey and the SEC this time?

This could be a monumental week for college football as lawmakers consider major changes to the proposed federal college sports bill. The latest revisions could impact conference realignment, Power Four expansion, NIL enforcement, revenue-sharing limits and the possibility of a future super league. We break down what the SEC and Big Ten are demanding, whether the SEC’s latest threat is legitimate and what could happen if the bill falls apart.

Plus, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi says the Big Ten is overrated. Does he have a legitimate point about the conference’s depth, or is he the wrong person to make that argument after the Big Ten’s recent run of national championships?

We also discuss whether Clemson’s elite run is officially over under Dabo Swinney and which programs could become the next Clemson. Could Texas Tech, BYU, SMU, Louisville or Indiana make a similar leap into the national championship conversation?

Also on the show:

• Post Malone wears an Iowa shirt inside Jack Trice Stadium
• Texas Tech lands a major stadium naming-rights deal
• The latest changes to the federal college sports bill
• Why the SEC and Big Ten want protections against a super league
• Whether conference realignment could accelerate again
• The future of NIL and the revenue-sharing cap
• Which Big 12 program has the best chance to become college football’s next powerhouse

Get “Open For Business,” a Big 12 newsletter with the latest college football news, analysis and commentary. Sign up below:

https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter

#CollegeFootball #SEC #Big12 #BigTen #Clemson #TexasTech #BYU #ConferenceRealignment #NIL #DaboSwinney

Send us Fan Mail

The SEC and Big Ten appear poised to get many of the changes they demanded in the Protect College Sports Act, raising even more questions about who really controls the future of college football.

John Kurtz breaks down the latest reporting on negotiations in Washington, including possible changes to conference expansion restrictions, media-rights pooling, NIL enforcement, transfer rules and eligibility limits. With Ted Cruz suggesting the bill could reach the Senate floor soon, the SEC and Big Ten may once again be positioned to shape the rules for everyone else.

Plus, Michigan football is facing another major scandal after an external investigation revealed new details about what athletic director Warde Manuel knew regarding former head coach Sherrone Moore’s relationship with a staff member. Why has Michigan avoided becoming the national villain of college football despite scandals involving Jim Harbaugh, Connor Stalions and now Moore?

Finally, new campaign finance records show Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell donated $274,000 to a committee supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton one day before Paxton threatened legal action against the Big 12 over Brendan Sorsby. Was it simply political influence, or something more concerning? And what does it tell us about how far Campbell is willing to go to get what he wants?

Topics include:

SEC and Big Ten Protect College Sports Act demands
Big 12 and ACC conference expansion protections
College football NIL and revenue sharing rules
One-time transfer and five-year eligibility limits
Michigan football scandal and Warde Manuel
Sherrone Moore investigation
Connor Stalions and Jim Harbaugh
Cody Campbell donation to Ken Paxton
Texas Tech and Brendan Sorsby
Big 12 legal battle
College football politics and corruption

Get “Open For Business,” a Big 12 newsletter… sign up below:
https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter

Send us Fan Mail

Can Houston break through and become a College Football Playoff contender in 2026?

Willie Fritz believes the Cougars finally have the experience, depth and continuity needed to take a major step forward in the Big 12. Houston returns productive players on both sides of the ball, all three coordinators and a quarterback in Conner Weigman who is finally healthy and operating in the same offensive system for a second straight season.

John Kurtz sits down with Fritz to discuss why Houston could be one of the Big 12’s surprise teams, how the Cougars upgraded the offensive line through the transfer portal and why the offense now has quality depth at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end.

Fritz also talks about Houston’s two former five-star quarterbacks, Keisean Henderson’s rapid development, Amari Thomas’ NFL potential and why this roster is starting to look like the team he envisioned when he took the job.

Could Houston make a run at the Big 12 Championship and crash the College Football Playoff?

Get “Open For Business,” a Big 12 newsletter… sign up below:
https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter

#HoustonFootball #HoustonCougars #WillieFritz #Big12 #CollegeFootballPlayoff #ConnerWeigman #CollegeFootball

Send us Fan Mail

**Plan your trip to Provo for a BYU game: https://www.utahvalley.com/

**Book your stay at Sundance Resort: https://www.sundanceresort.com/

**See what a Provo trip is really like: https://youtu.be/G9nzKwgbG_4

Arizona football is rising fast under Brent Brennan.

After a major breakthrough season, Brennan explains what changed inside the Wildcats’ program, why simplifying the message helped everything click and how Arizona created stronger alignment between its coaches and players.

John Kurtz sits down with Brennan to discuss the rise of Arizona football, Noah Fifita’s loyalty to the program and why the star quarterback chose legacy over chasing money in the transfer portal. Brennan also explains why he believes Fifita is one of the best stories in college football.

The conversation also covers Brennan’s lessons from Phil Jackson, Arizona’s approach to building through the transfer portal, replacing an NFL-caliber defensive backfield and the biggest factor that will determine whether the Wildcats can take another step in the Big 12.

Can Arizona football build on its breakthrough and become a consistent Big 12 contender?

Get “Open For Business,” a Big 12 newsletter… sign up below:
https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter

#ArizonaFootball #ArizonaWildcats #BrentBrennan #NoahFifita #Big12 #CollegeFootball #TransferPortal

Send us Fan Mail

Kalani Sitake is opening up about why he chose to stay at BYU.

After drawing interest from other major programs, including Penn State, Sitake wanted to know whether BYU was truly committed to making football a priority in the Big 12. His answer came through increased resources, better support for players, more opportunities to retain his coaching staff and a long-term commitment from the university.

John Kurtz sits down with Sitake to discuss what BYU had to prove, why he did not want the Cougars to simply be “invited to the party” and how the program is now positioning itself to become a lasting Big 12 contender.

Sitake also talks about BYU’s roster retention, Bear Bachmeier’s development, the transition from Jay Hill to Kelly Poppinga, the importance of the Notre Dame game and why the Cougars believe they have the pieces to compete for a Big 12 championship.

Did BYU finally go all-in on football?

Get “Open For Business,” a Big 12 newsletter… sign up below:
https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter

#BYU #BYUFootball #KalaniSitake #Big12 #CollegeFootball #PennState #NotreDame