Fact or Fiction Friday: Big 12 Schedules, Re-Alignment Scenarios and Cy-Hawk 2022
Welcome to Fact or Fiction Friday. Each Friday I give you the opportunity to ask the most intriguing questions in the Big 12 Conference and I will tell you whether they come true or if they are set to fail. Let’s crack it open and see what we have in store this week.
Will the new look Big 12 play an 8-game conference schedule like the SEC does currently?
Fiction: When the new Big 12 splits into two divisions, teams will still have to play teams from the other division. I don’t see the conference cutting the games down to have four non-conference games. The Big 12 will still play nine conference games just like they are now and have the three non-conference games at the beginning of the season. Just because the SEC does something doesn’t mean the Big 12 has to. In fact, if the SEC is doing it, that may be as good a reason as any to not do something.
Will Oklahoma and Texas play at least one season with the new Big 12 teams?
Fiction: To my knowledge, the new-look Big 12 should be completed by the 2024 season. I don’t see a scenario where Texas and Oklahoma stick around that long. When 2024 rolls around, that buyout will be much friendlier to the pockets of the two schools leaving as it will drop each year they stay in this league. Realistically, I could see Texas and Oklahoma play at least one more year, but still my money is on them completing the 2022 and 2023 seasons before heading to the SEC.
Will Iowa State beat Iowa next season?
Fact: Even though Iowa State will lose a ton of key players after this season, I still believe they have an interesting team for 2022. I admit I am not the expert on the 2022 Iowa roster, but I do believe next year is where the streak ends as the Cyclones will take down the Hawkeyes in Iowa City. I mean, it has to end at some point, right?
Is the Big 12 sending feelers to poach the two Arizona schools?
Fact: While there is no proof that the Big 12 is currently talking to Arizona and Arizona State, I am sure that there have been some private conversations about possibly leaving the Pac-12. The two Arizona schools have made their frustrations known to the public about the Pac-12 and we all know that there are other conferences willing to listen to them if it means they have a chance at getting them. Will the Big 12 actually get them? I would lean “No” at this point, but they should definitely be at least exploring and talking.
Will Texas Tech do better than 6-6 in Joey McGuire’s first season?
Fiction: Texas Tech is going to lose quite a few players on the defensive side of the football. Offensively, they don’t lose a ton, but I just don’t see where the wins are going to come from next season. Unless they go 3-0 in the non-conference it will be an uphill battle trying to get more than six wins. In fact, I think 5-7 is more realistic but 6-6 may be the ceiling for the 2022 team. With that said, I really like the staff Joey McGuire is putting together in Lubbock and I think the future is very bright for Texas Tech.
