Welcome to Tuesday Takes, where I give you three takes from the Big 12. It was a jam-packed week full of exciting news, but several things caught my attention over the last few days.
The Big 12 Is Being Left Out
After hearing about Texas A&M turning down the opportunity to rekindle their rivalry with Texas Tech, I thought about all the other teams in the SEC that canceled series with teams from the Big 12.
I understand that the SEC went to a nine-game conference schedule, but I also understand why they want to get rid of Big 12 teams on their schedule. By not playing teams from the Big 12, it eliminates any possibility of a loss and any comparison the playoff committee could make down the road.
It’s a shame we’re losing regional rivalries because of this, and for true college football fans, it’s the one thing we miss most since realignment. The Big 12 needs all the help it can get when it comes to the playoff, and a big part of that is playing top teams from other conferences when it can.
The AP Poll Got It Right
It’s not that I will ever give credit to the AP Poll voters. In fact, I think they do a lot more harm than good when it comes to the Big 12. However, when the Top 25 was released on Monday, four teams made the cut.
Texas Tech was the highest at 12, while BYU was close behind at 14. Then came Utah (21) and Houston (23). Also, Arizona and TCU barely missed out at 30 and 31, respectively.
While I could make a case for another team to crack the top 25, I don’t think four is bad at all. I just wish we could have a team inside the top ten, but that can most certainly change in just a few short weeks.
North Carolina is a Mess
I know the Tar Heels aren’t in the Big 12, but they are the first opponent on the Big 12 schedule when they take on TCU next Saturday in Dublin. In his first season at UNC, Bill went 4-8 and was really not competitive at all in the ACC.
And with the news of Michael Lombardi being gone due to a complaint from a front office staffer, this offseason hasn’t been ideal for Bill Belichick. Plus, between his age and his girlfriend’s age, this whole situation in Chapel Hill seems like a disaster.
While it may be bad for UNC, it is good for TCU. I know North Carolina isn’t some juggernaut program, but for the Big 12 to go out on national television and get a win against a Power Four opponent is huge for perception. But at the same time, the pressure is on TCU to not lose this game. The Big 12 will be underdogs in most of its non-conference games, so winning a game like this is a MUST for the league as the season gets underway next Saturday in Week 0.
