Open For Business: College Football w/ John Kurtz

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How far behind is Iowa State in the NIL race, and can the Cyclones still compete near the top of the Big 12?

Chris Williams of Cyclone Fanatic and Iowa Everywhere gives an honest assessment of Iowa State’s financial position in modern college athletics. He explains why the Cyclones are in a much better place than they were one year ago, but still likely remain below the middle of the Big 12 in football resources.

The conversation also covers the optimism surrounding Iowa State’s new president, whether Jamie Pollard was slow to adjust to the NIL era and why the Cyclones’ passionate fan base gives the program a chance to close the financial gap.

John Kurtz and Chris also discuss Jimmy Rogers replacing Matt Campbell, the strategy behind Iowa State’s roster turnover, realistic expectations for the Cyclones and why Rogers inherited a much better situation than Campbell did.

Plus, they examine Jamie Pollard’s renewed energy, why T.J. Otzelberger continues to choose Iowa State, the financial decisions involving Milan Momcilovic and Audi Crooks, and whether Iowa State is actually better off competing in the Big 12 than becoming an afterthought in a richer conference.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The truth about Iowa State’s NIL situation
00:17 Has Iowa State stabilized under Jimmy Rogers?
01:21 The strategy behind Iowa State’s roster turnover
01:50 Can Iowa State make a bowl game?
02:18 Resetting expectations after Matt Campbell
02:47 What Iowa State could have been with Campbell
03:44 Did Iowa State announce Jimmy Rogers too quickly?
05:13 How Jamie Pollard found Iowa State’s next coach
05:42 Jimmy Rogers always wanted the Iowa State job
07:09 Iowa State’s trip to BYU and Provo
08:56 How far behind is Iowa State in NIL?
09:54 Why Iowa State’s fan base provides hope
10:23 Iowa State’s new president could change things
11:21 Jamie Pollard’s future and CyTown
12:20 Jamie Pollard has his edge back
13:46 Why T.J. Otzelberger stayed at Iowa State
15:15 Can Otzelberger take Iowa State to a Final Four?
16:45 Iowa State basketball’s NIL position
17:14 The Milan Momcilovic financial decision
18:12 Audi Crooks and the cost of retaining stars
18:41 Is Iowa State better off in the Big 12?
19:36 Why the Big 12 is not going away
20:26 Big 12 stability compared to the ACC
21:22 Can Jimmy Rogers maintain Campbell’s standard?
22:52 Why coaches may choose fit over bigger jobs
23:20 Jimmy Rogers inherited a better situation than Campbell

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#IowaState #Cyclones #IowaStateFootball #Big12 #NIL #JimmyRogers #JamiePollard

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Could Farmageddon be coming back as an annual Big 12 rivalry?

Big 12 chief football and competition officer Scott Draper says the conference has already started evaluating its next scheduling cycle, including which rivalry games need to be played every year. That could open the door for Kansas State and Iowa State to resume their historic annual series after Farmageddon is interrupted under the current Big 12 scheduling matrix.

John Kurtz asks Draper directly about the future of K-State–Iowa State, protected rivalries and whether the Big 12 could restore more traditional late-season matchups. They also discuss the possibility of moving the Holy War between BYU and Utah back to rivalry weekend.

The interview covers several other major Big 12 topics, including a potential 10-game conference schedule, the league’s push for a 14-team College Football Playoff, why BYU was undervalued by the playoff committee and how five Big 12 teams could have benefited from an expanded CFP field.

Draper also explains how the Big 12 helped make BYU–Notre Dame happen, why the conference values major nonconference games, the strategy behind Friday-night television windows and the possibility of more Big 12 games in London, Ireland and other international locations.

Could the Big 12 fix its Farmageddon scheduling mistake and restore Kansas State–Iowa State as an annual rivalry?

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#Big12 #Farmageddon #KansasState #IowaState #KStateFootball #IowaStateFootball #CollegeFootball

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BYU athletic director Brian Santiago joins John Kurtz to reveal the real story behind BYU’s College Football Playoff snub and what happened behind closed doors at Big 12 meetings.

Santiago says BYU “100%” deserved to be in the playoff conversation and explains how other Big 12 schools stood up for the Cougars, calling BYU’s treatment disrespectful to both the program and the conference.

He also discusses Kalani Sitake’s decision to stay at BYU after interest from Penn State, why he believes Sitake will be in Provo for a long time, and how that situation created even more momentum around BYU football.

Plus, Santiago shares the story behind BYU’s new series with Notre Dame, confirms both schools want the relationship to continue beyond 2027, and explains why BYU’s national rise is only beginning across football, basketball and the entire athletic department.

Topics include:

• The real story behind BYU’s College Football Playoff snub
• Big 12 schools defending BYU behind closed doors
• Why Brian Santiago says BYU unquestionably belonged
• Kalani Sitake choosing BYU over Penn State interest
• Sitake’s long-term future in Provo
• How the Notre Dame football series came together
• Interest in future BYU-Notre Dame games and other sports
• BYU’s growing national brand
• The future of BYU athletics in the Big 12
• The Protect College Sports Act and the future of college athletics

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#BYU #BYUFootball #BYUCougars #CollegeFootball #Big12 #CFBPlayoff #KalaniSitake #NotreDameFootball

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**Plan your trip to Provo for a BYU game: https://www.utahvalley.com/
**Book your stay at Sundance Resort: https://www.sundanceresort.com/
**Check out what it's like to stay in Provo: https://youtu.be/G9nzKwgbG_4

Cody Campbell sent a strong message to the rest of the Big 12: Texas Tech is not the problem. The rest of the conference needs to level up.

After more tension between Texas Tech and the Big 12 following the Brendan Sorsby saga, Campbell made it clear that the path forward for the league is not complaining about Texas Tech’s money or trying to slow down ambitious schools. It’s about every Big 12 program finding ways to invest, compete and elevate the conference as a whole. John Kurtz reacts to Campbell’s comments, why he believes Campbell is right, and what schools like Kansas State, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Utah, BYU, Houston and others need to do in the modern era of college football.

Plus, BYU athletic director Brian Santiago says Notre Dame and BYU are working toward making their series a long-term fixture. John explains why that would be massive for BYU, Notre Dame and the Big 12, and why BYU continues to prove it may be the most valuable brand in the conference.

Then, John breaks down the Big 12’s new Monster Energy sponsorship deal and why the criticism may be missing the bigger picture. From jersey patches to national sponsorship value, proof of concept and the advertising challenges of selling an entire conference, the deal may make more sense than people realize.

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Houston head coach Willie Fritz joins John Kurtz at Big 12 Media Days to talk about why the Cougars could be one of the most interesting teams in the Big 12 this season.

Fritz discusses the expectations around Houston football, the return of Connor Weigman, the Cougars’ improved offensive line, the addition of Makhi Hughes, the impact of the transfer portal, and why Houston’s offense could take a major step forward. He also explains what makes Keshawn Henderson such an exciting young quarterback and how the Cougars are navigating the modern college football world of NIL, the portal, roster limits and constant change.

But one of the best moments comes when Fritz reveals the coaching trick he stole from legendary Kansas State coach Bill Snyder. Fritz explains why he still uses that Bill Snyder practice habit every day, why Snyder’s K-State rebuild remains the greatest turnaround in college football history, and what coaches can still learn from him today.

Can Willie Fritz turn Houston into a real Big 12 problem? Is Connor Weigman ready for a breakout season? And does Houston have enough talent and continuity to surprise the league?

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#Big12 #HoustonFootball #WillieFritz #ConnorWeigman #BillSnyder #CollegeFootball #KansasState #HoustonCougars #Big12Football

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The Brendan Sorsby saga just keeps getting messier for the Big 12.

According to reporting from Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, the NCAA has sent Cincinnati a letter of inquiry related to Brendan Sorsby’s time with the Bearcats. At the same time, Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield accused Texas Tech of reaching out to Sorsby before the season was over.

John Kurtz breaks down the latest from Big 12 Media Days, including what this means for Cincinnati, Texas Tech, Brendan Sorsby, Joey McGuire, Scott Satterfield, Cody Campbell, and Brett Yormark as the Big 12 tries to move forward after weeks of tension.

Plus, John discusses the reported meeting between Texas Tech and Big 12 officials, whether the league is actually ready to bury the hatchet, and why Cody Campbell’s comments about Big 12 schools needing to spend more money may be exactly what the conference needs to hear.

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The Brendan Sorsby saga is finally over, but the tension between Texas Tech and the Big 12 is not going away anytime soon. After Sorsby and the NFLPA ended their legal fight, Texas Tech can finally move forward, but Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard made it very clear that some Big 12 leaders still believe Texas Tech should have to pay for the legal mess surrounding Sorsby’s eligibility.

In this live stream, we break down why the Sorsby situation still has Big 12 athletic directors fired up, what Pollard said about Texas Tech being fined, and why Big 12 Media Days in Frisco could be very interesting if these hard feelings are still lingering.

Plus, Michigan president Domenico Grasso said the quiet part out loud about the SEC and Big Ten’s position on the Protect College Sports Act. The Big Ten and SEC say they want reform in college sports, but their actions show they are not willing to give up the competitive advantages they have built. We discuss why that matters for the Big 12, ACC, realignment, NIL, the transfer portal, and the future of college football.

Then, we dive into the latest Texas A&M spending report from On3 and ask why Texas Tech gets crushed nationally for spending big while Texas A&M, Miami, Oregon, Notre Dame, and others do the same thing with far less outrage. If college football is entering an arms race, why does Texas Tech get treated differently than the rest of the sport?

Topics include Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech football, Jamie Pollard, the Big 12, Big 12 Media Days, Iowa State, Cody Campbell, Gene Taylor, Terry Mohajir, college football realignment, the Protect College Sports Act, SEC and Big Ten power, Michigan football, Texas A&M recruiting, NIL spending, Mike Elko, Joey McGuire, and the future of the Big 12.

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Could a new wave of college football realignment be coming sooner than anyone thinks? On tonight’s Open For Business Big 12 live show, we break down the latest updates to the Protect College Sports Act and why the Senate bill could create major consequences for the Big 12, ACC, SEC and Big Ten.

The biggest issue: new language in the bill could freeze power conference membership, potentially blocking leagues like the Big 12 and ACC from expanding or merging. What does that mean for schools like Florida State, Clemson, Miami and North Carolina if they still want out of the ACC? Could that panic create a realignment scramble before the bill gets passed? And if the ACC ever does implode, could the Big 12 finally add teams like Louisville, Pitt, Virginia Tech or others?

We also discuss whether Texas Tech, Utah, Arizona State, TCU, BYU and Kansas should be worried about getting locked into the Big 12, why Cody Campbell’s role in the bill is so fascinating after the Brendan Sorsby fallout, and why Group of 6 schools like Boise State, Memphis and South Florida may hate these updates.

Plus, we hit more Big 12 topics, including why college football needs to protect rivalry games, anonymous Big 12 coach quotes on Houston and Utah, whether the Utes are getting too much credit in year one without Kyle Whittingham, why Willie Fritz and Conner Weigman have Houston positioned as a major Big 12 sleeper, and a look at Big 12 win total over/unders.

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The NFL won't hold a supplemental draft for Brendan Sorsby, which means he has to wait until the 2027 NFL draft...or does he?

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The Brendan Sorsby saga may be mostly settled, but the fallout between Texas Tech and the Big 12 is not over yet. Brett Yormark came out of the situation as a massive winner after the Big 12’s legal strategy helped push Sorsby toward the NFL supplemental draft, but now the question becomes whether Yormark’s stock is rising so much that he could eventually leave the Big 12.

We’ll also dive into whether the Big 12 is still considering punishment for Texas Tech, why the league has not yet dropped its federal lawsuit, and whether trying to recoup legal fees from the Red Raiders would be a smart move or a major mistake for the future relationship between Texas Tech and the conference.

Plus, there’s a major update on the Protect College Sports Act after the bill passed through the Senate Commerce Committee. With support from Notre Dame, the NFL, MLB, the Big 12 and the ACC, could Congress actually stop the SEC and Big Ten from creating a college football Super League?

And finally, BYU faces a complicated situation after the Parker Kingston rape case was dismissed without prejudice. What does that actually mean, could the case be refiled, and how should BYU handle questions about Kingston’s future?

On tonight’s Open For Business Big 12 live show:

* Brett Yormark’s big win in the Texas Tech-Brendan Sorsby saga
* Whether Yormark could eventually leave the Big 12
* Why the Big 12 may still pursue consequences for Texas Tech
* The latest on the Big 12 lawsuit and possible legal fees
* The Protect College Sports Act moving forward in Congress
* What the bill means for the Big 12, ACC, SEC and Big Ten
* The latest on Parker Kingston and BYU’s impossible situation

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