AP Poll REALLY Does Hurt the Big 12: BYU, Utah, Baylor Left OUT of Rankings

The AP Poll's perceived neglect of the Big 12 is a common criticism, often stemming from the conference's smaller number of ranked teams compared to others like the SEC and Big Ten. This is particularly noticeable in preseason polls where voters often rely on historical reputation and "brand recognition" rather than recent on-field success or returning talent. 🏈 Preseason Poll Bias The preseason AP Poll frequently favors teams from historically dominant conferences, even if a Big 12 team had a better record or returning talent from the previous season. Voters may overlook the tangible success of certain Big 12 programs in favor of "helmet schools" with a bigger national profile. This can lead to situations where a Big 12 team that has a strong season and is a contender for the conference title is still left out of the initial rankings. The Big 12 itself has even taken a step to combat this by not conducting its own preseason media poll, citing that these polls can create a negative narrative that hurts the league.FanDuelToday's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase.Monarch MoneyThis Episode is brought to you by Monarch Money. Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.