We are still four weeks away from kickoff and the Big 12 is already taking shots from other conferences. But the crazy thing is, it’s not from the SEC, Big Ten or even the ACC. Of all the conferences out there, it’s from the Pac-12.
Now, I know what you are thinking, “the Pac-12? I thought they were dead.” Well, you aren’t the only person who forgot the Pac-12 was still around because I did too. This isn’t your parents’ Pac-12 anymore. It’s full of former group of five teams and is basically a glorified group of five teams who aren’t wanted by the power conferences and don’t have a seat at the big boy table.
Yet, that didn’t stop one coach in the Pac-12 from taking his shot at the Big 12. Fresno State head coach Matt Entz emphasized to USA TODAY that his Group of 6 program, can make it to the same places as programs from both the Big 12 and ACC. “I think our players are seeing that ‘Hey, this experience is bigger than just me. I can get wherever I want from Fresno State,” Entz said.
“With this five-year rule, what we’ve started to do with this five-year eligibility piece is say, ‘Hey, three years at Fresno State can set you up for the next opportunity,’” Entz said. “And then you still have two years to go to Alabama or Texas. But going to the Big 12 isn’t a big enough jump. You have to go to the Big Ten, SEC or NFL.”
If you want to say that the Big 12 isn’t the SEC or Big Ten that’s one thing but to say the Big 12 isn’t a step up from the group of six is absolutely insane. Look around Matt, you see a team like BYU, Texas Tech or Utah in your glorified group of six conference? Absolutely not.
The reality is that there is a big difference between the power four and group of six. Even when comparing it to the Big 12 or ACC. The talent level is different; the conference is tougher from top to bottom and it’s not even close. Also, for a guy who has only been a head coach for one year, he seems to run his mouth for someone who hasn’t done a whole lot.
