Private HTML archive for show research
Export report
Episode note Use search for names/topics, the browse buttons for major indexes, and Backlinks below to see what points here.

2026-07-20 - Big 12 Preview Part 1 - Power Tiers and Big Storylines

date
2026-07-20
episode_type
recurring-segment
source
public

Public-feed Big 12 preview opener framed by the Monster Energy sponsorship bit and a serious tiering exercise. Ty and Dan sort Texas Tech, BYU, Houston, Utah, Arizona, TCU, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, Baylor, Kansas, UCF, Iowa State, Colorado, West Virginia, and Arizona State into an unusually deep set of plausible conference stories, with returning quarterbacks and new coaches making the league feel more legible than the ACC.

Key Takes

Segment Breakdown

1. Big 12 sponsorship cold open

The discussion uses this section to move the episode from setup into the preview argument, with Ty and Dan trading team-specific evidence, schedule context, and roster questions.

2. New coaches and returning quarterbacks

The discussion uses this section to move the episode from setup into the preview argument, with Ty and Dan trading team-specific evidence, schedule context, and roster questions.

3. Top tier debate

The discussion uses this section to move the episode from setup into the preview argument, with Ty and Dan trading team-specific evidence, schedule context, and roster questions.

4. Texas Tech and BYU proof points

The discussion uses this section to move the episode from setup into the preview argument, with Ty and Dan trading team-specific evidence, schedule context, and roster questions.

5. Houston disagreement

The discussion uses this section to move the episode from setup into the preview argument, with Ty and Dan trading team-specific evidence, schedule context, and roster questions.

6. Utah and second tier

The discussion uses this section to move the episode from setup into the preview argument, with Ty and Dan trading team-specific evidence, schedule context, and roster questions.

7. I Want to Believe tier

The discussion uses this section to move the episode from setup into the preview argument, with Ty and Dan trading team-specific evidence, schedule context, and roster questions.

8. Lower-tier concerns

The discussion uses this section to move the episode from setup into the preview argument, with Ty and Dan trading team-specific evidence, schedule context, and roster questions.

9. Part 2 setup

The discussion uses this section to move the episode from setup into the preview argument, with Ty and Dan trading team-specific evidence, schedule context, and roster questions.

Members Heard From

  • None - host-only preview episode.

Teams Discussed

People Discussed

  • Ty Hildenbrandt - host, referenced analyst, coach, or recurring show-history figure.
  • Dan Rubenstein - host, referenced analyst, coach, or recurring show-history figure.
  • Brett Yormark - preview-context mention.
  • Morgan Scalley - preview-context mention.
  • Collin Klein - preview-context mention.
  • Jimmy Rogers - preview-context mention.
  • Eric Morris - preview-context mention.
  • Will Hammond - preview-context mention.
  • DJ Lagway - preview-context mention.
  • Brendan Sorsby - host, referenced analyst, coach, or recurring show-history figure.

Segments

  • Big 12 sponsorship cold open
  • New coaches and returning quarterbacks
  • Top tier debate
  • Texas Tech and BYU proof points
  • Houston disagreement
  • Utah and second tier
  • I Want to Believe tier
  • Lower-tier concerns
  • Part 2 setup

Running Threads

  • The Big 12 has a recognizable top tier because Texas Tech, BYU, and Houston give the league stories casual fans can remember.
  • Returning quarterbacks make the Big 12 feel easier to preview than the ACC.
  • Houston is a Ty/Dan disagreement point, with Ty higher on the Cougars than Dan.

Open Questions

  • Is Texas Tech the league's new organizing brand?
  • Can Houston turn Ty's offseason trust into a real title push?
  • Does Utah have enough around Devon Dampier after losing so much?