Big 12 Today

West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito joins Big 12 Today to discuss the Senate’s passage of the Protect College Sports Act. She credits Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell with leading the effort and explains why she believes college athletics needs change to create a more competitive balance.

Capito also addresses opposition to the bill, which she says is largely regional, and discusses the Senate vote, the outlook for a House vote, and the President’s influence. She notes that if the bill doesn’t pass the House before the new Congress is sworn in on January 3, it would need to pass the Senate again.

She also reflects on her own experience as a college tennis player.

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Oklahoma State head coach Eric Morris joined Big 12 Today to discuss his team’s win over West Virginia in Morgantown—the Cowboys’ first game outside Oklahoma this season. Morris praised the team for handling a hostile environment, especially in the second half, and said the Cowboys are learning how to win as their physicality grows. After being humbled by a Week 1 loss to Tulsa, the team is learning to manage success and stay grounded as it prepares for UCF.

Morris also discussed Drew Mestemaker’s season, crediting the offensive line and running backs coaches for creating variety in the offense, and praising the receivers for getting open, staying patient, and remaining poised. During the bye week, Morris plans to recruit and give prospects a fair opportunity to show what they can do.

On defense, Morris called coordinator Skyler Cassity a “star in the making,” saying he has the qualities to become a great head coach and full autonomy over the unit. Morris also reflected on the attention he’s received in Stillwater and how his family is adjusting to it. He closed with a birthday shoutout to his 11-year-old son.

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Cincinnati football head coach Scott Satterfield joins Big 12 Today to discuss the Bearcats’ upset win over Kansas State and their 4–0 start. He credits the offensive line’s strong play with creating a ripple effect across the offense, helping the running backs make big plays. Satterfield also emphasizes the importance of winning the trenches on both sides of the ball and praises Cole Tabb and Gi’Bran Payne.

Satterfield discusses Cincinnati’s strong second-half performances, attributing them to the team’s maturity and experience. He commends the defense’s game plan against Avery Johnson, which limited him to six rushing attempts and forced him to throw 50 times. He also praises quarterback JC French’s efficiency and poise, reflecting on what Cincinnati saw in the underrated transfer in the portal.

Satterfield gives Antwan Peek Jr. high praise for his work with defensive coordinator Woody, which has helped fuel his impressive start to the season. He says the team is taking its challenging conference schedule one game at a time and closes by highlighting the strength of Cincinnati’s running game.

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The Voice of the Utes, Bill Riley, joins Big 12 Today to talk Utah football and preview this weekend’s matchup with Iowa State. Riley breaks down the Utes’ play so far and the keys to a Utah victory against the Cyclones.

West Virginia football beat writer Mike Casazza joins Big 12 Today to break down the Mountaineers following a big win last week and look ahead to their upcoming matchup with Oklahoma State.

Casazza discusses what clicked for West Virginia in the victory, the biggest developments surrounding the Mountaineers, key players and matchups to watch against the Cowboys, and what WVU needs to carry forward as Big 12 play continues.

Orlando Sentinel UCF football beat writer Matt Murschel joins Big 12 Today to break down the latest surrounding the Knights and preview UCF’s upcoming matchup with TCU.

Murschel discusses what he’s seen from UCF so far this season, the biggest questions facing the Knights, key players and matchups to watch against the Horned Frogs, and what this game could tell us about UCF moving forward in Big 12 play.

Big 12 soccer analyst Kendra Sheehan joins Big 12 Today to break down the latest around the conference as Big 12 play heats up.

Sheehan discusses the teams making an early impression, players to watch, the biggest storylines across the league, and what she’s watching as the conference race begins to take shape.

Baylor’s Voice of the Bears John Morris joins Big 12 Today to break down the latest around Baylor football and look ahead to the Bears’ upcoming matchup with Colorado.

Morris discusses what he’s seen from Baylor so far this season, the biggest storylines surrounding the Bears, and what could decide the game against Colorado as Big 12 play continues.

U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt joins Big 12 Today to discuss the future of college athletics and the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act.

Schmitt shares how his experience playing college football and baseball at Truman State shaped his perspective on college sports, why he believes Congress needs to establish new guardrails for the industry, and what the legislation is designed to address.

We also discuss NIL, transfers, eligibility and enforcement, the bipartisan coalition behind the bill, and what comes next as the Protect College Sports Act moves through the Senate.

Big 12 Chief Football & Competition Officer Scott Draper joins Big 12 Today to recap the Union Jack Classic at Wembley Stadium, from the atmosphere around London and Big Noon Kickoff to the once-in-a-lifetime experiences for the student-athletes. Draper also discusses what could be next for the Big 12 in London, the conference’s live look inside the replay center during Texas Tech-Houston, and whether Big 12 defenses deserve more attention.

Taylor McHargue joins Big 12 Today for Monday Morning QB to break down Week 3 across the conference, including the biggest quarterback performances, key offensive takeaways and what stood out from the weekend of Big 12 football.

Utah Football head coach Morgan Scalley appeared on Big 12 Today to discuss the team's strong start. He emphasized his dedication to his offense, highlighting his persistence in hiring Kevin McGiven as offensive coordinator.

Scalley explained how he has effectively utilized his offense by presenting different packages with players like Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin. He stressed the importance of establishing a strong team culture that is instilled from the top down to his coaches and players.

A keen reader on leadership, Scalley shared insights from studying figures like former President Abraham Lincoln, emphasizing the value of surrounding oneself with honest feedback rather than "yes men" to develop true leadership.

He reflected on Utah’s significant SEC victory over Arkansas, noting that his team entered the game determined to defend their culture, and expressed pride in their performance. Scalley praised his team’s physicality but also pointed out areas for improvement moving forward.

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BYU Football Head Coach Kalani Sitake appeared on Big 12 Today to celebrate the Cougars' impressive victory over Arizona.

He highlighted his team's strong defensive performance, especially in the second half. When asked about wide receiver Legend Glasker, Sitake praised his outstanding play and emphasized the quality of his receiver room, noting their excellent blocking.

He also discussed quarterback Bear Bachmier's growth, highlighting how Bachmier has gained more control of the offense as a true freshman this season.

Sitake credited his team's conditioning and physical style of play for their ability to wear down opponents.

Looking ahead, he previewed this weekend's game against Colorado State, giving respect to head coach Jim Mora and the Rams as BYU continues its preparation.

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Scott Draper, Big 12 Chief Football & Competition Officer, joined Big 12 Today to review an exciting weekend in the conference. Draper highlighted Oklahoma State’s impressive upset over Oregon, praising the Cowboys for bouncing back after their Week 1 loss.

He also discussed the opening conference game between BYU and Arizona, noting BYU’s jump into the AP Top 25 at No. 11 and emphasizing that the AP rankings provide a useful snapshot, with more detailed analysis coming in October. Draper praised both BYU and Arizona as strong teams.

He commended Utah for their SEC victory over Arkansas and acknowledged Texas Tech’s win over Oregon State in the Pacific Northwest. Looking ahead, Draper previewed the Week 3 showdown between Houston and Texas Tech, emphasizing its significance.

He also discussed the upcoming Union Jack Classic between Arizona State and Kansas, noting that London is still adjusting to the college game compared to the NFL.

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Oklahoma State Defensive Coordinator Skyler Cassity appeared on Big 12 Today to discuss the Cowboys' impressive upset victory over Oregon on Saturday. After a challenging Week 1 loss, Oklahoma State responded strongly in their home opener, securing a 39-31 win.

Coach Cassity reflected on his coaching stints at Sam Houston and North Texas, highlighting the significant improvements at both programs and how he's applying a similar mentality and approach at Oklahoma State.

He also shared personal insights about his family’s deep-rooted history with Oklahoma State, mentioning his brother, who played for Coach Gundy, and his father, who served as the DC at OSU. Coach Cassity emphasized the storied tradition of winning at Oklahoma State and discussed how Coach Mike Gundy is working to reestablish that winning culture in Stillwater.

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Colorado Athletic Director Fernando Lovo joined Big 12 Today following the Buffs' impressive road victory over Georgia Tech. Lovo described the win as very special and praised the Buffs fans who traveled to Atlanta, emphasizing how their support made the experience even more meaningful.

He highlighted that securing a major win against a quality opponent on the road is a significant milestone for Colorado. As the rookie athletic director in the Big 12, Lovo shared insights into his career, which began at the University of Florida, and detailed the journey that led him to Colorado. He emphasized the Colorado brand's prominence not only within the state but also nationally and internationally.

Lovo credited Commissioner Brett Yormark's support and Coach Deion Sanders' leadership for elevating Colorado's profile. He expressed his enthusiasm working with Coach Prime, describing it as a joyful experience. Lovo also discussed the challenging schedule ahead, upcoming non-conference matchups, and the broader youth movement in college athletics, highlighting his position as the youngest athletic director in the Big 12.

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Texas Tech Football Head Coach Joey McGuire joined Big 12 Today to discuss the Red Raiders' Week 1 victory over Abilene Christian. McGuire expressed his satisfaction with the win and was pleased for players making their first starts, highlighting the efforts of Will Hammond, who returned from a torn ACL injury less than a year ago. He was glad that Hammond's body felt good on Sunday and praised his offensive line for protecting him throughout the game.

McGuire was critical of his team's red zone performance, emphasizing the need for improvement in that area. He also praised his young safeties, Peyton Morgan and Malik Esquerra, for their first starts, and admired their performances. Looking ahead, McGuire discussed preparations for Oregon State, noting that he is focusing on that game without dwelling on their Week 3 opponent, Houston.

He shared insights on how other teams performed in Week 1, giving credit to Arizona State, BYU, and Utah, particularly highlighting the impressive debut of Utah's coach, Morgan Scalley, as well as the success of Kenny Dillingham and Kalani Sitake. McGuire also commented that Baylor likely would have defeated Auburn if DJ Lagway hadn't injured his ankle, praising Baylor's defense and predicting it will be strong this season.
Regarding game strategy, McGuire mentioned that he wouldn't have gone for two in Saturday's game against Auburn if the situation had been different. 

He concluded the interview by discussing "The Program: Texas Tech," which airs on Paramount+, sharing insights into the making of the documentary and the effort that went into it.

Scott Draper, Big 12 Chief Football & Competition Officer, joined Big 12 Today to review Week 1 of the college football season in the Big 12. He began by discussing the innovative 10-minute fourth-quarter rule observed in the Morgan State vs. Arizona State game. Draper explained that while this rule is rarely used, it has been implemented before when both head coaches agree to the terms.

Draper expressed excitement for Colorado following their impressive victory on Thursday night. He also previewed the first in-conference game of the season, scheduled for Week 2 between Arizona and BYU. Additionally, he highlighted the significance of the Arizona State versus Texas A&M matchup, which will air at 12 p.m. EST / 11 a.m. CST on ABC.

Reflecting on Saturday’s Western Michigan vs. Michigan game, Draper commented on the controversial finish and praised the Big Ten for their transparency in how they handled the ruling. He also discussed the TuneIn Game of the Week between Auburn and Baylor, commending Baylor for their resilience despite a tough loss. Draper praised Baylor head coach Dave Aranda for the foundation he is building and expressed confidence that Baylor will be just fine moving forward.

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Kansas football head coach Lance Leipold appeared on Big 12 Today to reflect on the Jayhawks' recent triumph over Long Island University and to discuss upcoming challenges.

Coach Leipold expressed high praise for his team's defensive performance, highlighting their remarkable effort in not allowing a single touchdown throughout the game. He also shared his satisfaction with quarterback Isaiah Marshall’s debut, noting that it was Marshall’s first start and that he has shown significant progress since spring camp. Leipold commended Marshall for his accuracy and effort, emphasizing the improvements made over the course of the season.

Delving deeper into the victory, Leipold praised the defense’s relentless effort on Friday night but acknowledged that there are areas for improvement. He pointed out that the team needs to clean up penalties, particularly holding calls, and address certain issues on special teams to enhance overall performance.

Looking ahead to the rivalry game against Missouri, Leipold revealed that his team watched an educational video exploring the history of the rivalry, dating back to the Civil War era, to build a deeper understanding and motivation. He also discussed preparations for the upcoming matchup, which will be followed by the Union Jack Classic against Arizona State in London.

The coach concluded the interview by praising former Kansas quarterback Jaylon Daniels, now serving as the backup for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Leipold expressed pride in Daniels’ hard work and accomplishments, highlighting the journey of one of his former players making it to the NFL.

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Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark joined Big 12 Today ahead of the 2026 football season, sharing insights on the conference's exciting developments. He kicked off by highlighting the success of the Aer Lingus Classic, emphasizing the outstanding ratings and the vibrant atmosphere in Dublin that showcased the Big 12's international impact.

Yormark previewed the upcoming Union Jack Classic on September 19th and discussed some of the season's biggest games, underscoring the league's competitive spirit.

He expressed confidence that the Big 12 will be the premier quarterback conference this year, with six talented signal-callers returning. Yormark emphasized his commitment to positioning member institutions for success through strategic initiatives and support. 

Additionally, he addressed potential expansion of the College Football Playoff, noting its possible benefits for the conference. Yormark also highlighted the vital role of media partnerships, giving special thanks to Modelo for their exceptional partnership.

Overall, his remarks painted a picture of a dynamic and ambitious Big 12 ready to make a significant impact this season and beyond.

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UCF Athletic Director Terry Mohajir joined Big 12 Today to share updates on UCF athletics. He highlighted the excitement surrounding UCF football and discussed the impactful Roth Tower Project, which has significantly benefited both the university and Orlando.

Mohajir expressed strong confidence in head coach Scott Frost and the positive culture he's fostering at UCF. He emphasized the importance of discipline and a rooted philosophy at UCF, key elements for recruiting and developing student-athletes.

Reflecting on UCF's conference journey, Mohajir noted the various leagues they've been part of and expressed his happiness to be in the Big 12, where he believes UCF has finally found a true home.

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Arizona Athletic Director Desiree Reed-Francois joined Big 12 Today to discuss the latest developments in Arizona athletics, with football season approaching. She highlighted what makes Arizona athletics special, recapping the university’s numerous accomplishments from last season.

Reed-Francois expressed enthusiasm for the Wildcats’ football program, praising the passionate fanbase and head coach Brent Brennan for their outstanding work. She specifically commended quarterback Noah Fifita for his contributions both on and off the field.

Looking ahead, Reed-Francois shared the short- and long-term goals for Arizona football, emphasizing their aim to reach the College Football Playoff this season. She also discussed the strong relationship between Arizona and the Big 12 under Commissioner Yormark’s leadership, lauding his bold vision for the conference’s future.

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Utah Athletic Director Mark Harlan joins Big 12 Today for a wide-ranging conversation on the Utes, their place in the Big 12 and the future of Utah Athletics.

Harlan discusses the state of the football program, navigating a rapidly changing college sports landscape, Utah’s transition into the Big 12 and what’s ahead for the Utes.

Oklahoma State Athletic Director Chad Weiberg joins Big 12 Today to discuss a new era of Cowboy football under head coach Eric Morris. Weiberg talks about the decision to bring Morris to Stillwater, the direction of the program entering 2026, expectations for the Cowboys and how Oklahoma State is navigating the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics and the Big 12. 

Scott Draper, Big 12 Chief Football & Competition Officer, appeared on Big 12 Today to discuss the upcoming Aer Lingus Classic between North Carolina and TCU, set for Saturday in Dublin, Ireland. He shared his excitement about traveling to Dublin and the festivities leading up to the game.

Draper also highlighted the new head coaches in the Big 12—Morgan Scalley, Eric Morris, Collin Klein, and Jimmy Rogers—and their impact on the league.

Additionally, he mentioned the upcoming overseas game in the Union Jack Classic featuring Arizona State and Kansas next month. Draper emphasized the Big 12’s commitment to expanding its brand globally, with plans to pursue more international football games in the coming years.

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