First and 16 Podcast - Big 12 College Football and College Basketball

College sports could be on the verge of one of its biggest changes ever. The U.S. Senate voted 74-24 to begin consideration of the Protect College Sports Act, a major procedural step for legislation that could reshape NIL, transfer rules, athlete eligibility, revenue sharing, NCAA enforcement and the future structure of college athletics. On this special episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down what happened in the Senate, what's actually in the legislation, what still has to happen before it becomes law, and what it could mean for the Big 12 and the future of conference realignment. We discuss: The 74-24 Senate vote Five-year athlete eligibility New transfer restrictions NIL and athlete compensation NCAA/conference antitrust protections Revenue sharing Agent and tampering regulations Athlete health and academic protections Potential effects on conference realignment What happens next Subscribe to First and 16 for college football news, Big 12 analysis, conference realignment and the biggest stories changing college sports. #CollegeFootball #Big12 #NIL #CollegeSports #NCAA #ConferenceRealignment

Oklahoma State just stunned Oregon 39-31 — but how high should the Cowboys climb in the Big 12 Power Rankings? On today's First and 16, Adam Gibby reacts to the latest AP Top 25 and ranks all 16 Big 12 football teams heading into Week 3. BYU takes the top spot after beating Arizona, Utah surges after dominating Arkansas, Kansas State continues to impress, and Oklahoma State makes a massive jump after taking down Oregon. Plus, should BYU and Utah be ranked higher nationally? Is Texas Tech in trouble? How good is Houston? And which Big 12 teams are already falling behind?

The college football Top 25 has been SHAKEN UP after Week 2! Texas makes a massive jump after taking down Ohio State, BYU proves it may be the team to beat in the Big 12, Indiana climbs all the way to No. 2, and several preseason contenders are already sliding. On this episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby reveals his complete Week 2 College Football Top 25 rankings and breaks down the biggest risers, fallers, surprises and contenders across the country. Who is ranked too high? Who is ranked too low? Drop YOUR Top 25 in the comments! SUBSCRIBE to First and 16 for college football rankings, Big 12 coverage, predictions, reactions and analysis throughout the 2026 season. #CollegeFootball #Top25 #CFB #Big12 #BYUFootball #TexasFootball #OhioStateFootball

Week 2 of the college football season is LOADED — and I'm calling multiple Big 12 upsets. Can Kansas take down Missouri in the Border War? Can UCF go on the road and beat Pitt? Could Arizona State shock Texas A&M? And what happens when Utah hosts Arkansas? On today's First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down the biggest Big 12 non-conference games of Week 2 and predicts which teams will help — or hurt — the conference's College Football Playoff reputation. 🏈 Kansas vs Missouri 🏈 UCF vs Pitt 🏈 Arizona State vs Texas A&M 🏈 Iowa State vs Iowa 🏈 Oklahoma State vs Oregon 🏈 Utah vs Arkansas SUBSCRIBE for daily Big 12 football analysis, predictions, rankings, reaction and breaking news. #Big12 #CollegeFootball #KansasFootball #UCF #ArizonaState #UtahFootball #CFB

Could LSU actually be kicked out of the SEC — and if it happens, who replaces the Tigers? The possibility of LSU leaving the SEC could create another massive wave of college football conference realignment. On today's First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down five programs that could make sense as potential SEC replacements. Could Florida State or Clemson finally make the jump from the ACC? Could the SEC raid the Big 12 for Texas Tech or Oklahoma State? And could former SEC member Tulane be the ultimate dark-horse candidate? PLUS: What if LSU doesn't need another conference at all? Could LSU go independent — or even make the unthinkable move to the Big Ten and trigger another nationwide realignment domino effect? 🏈 SUBSCRIBE to First and 16 for Big 12 and national college football analysis, predictions, rankings and realignment coverage. COMMENT BELOW: If LSU left the SEC, who should replace them? #LSU #SEC #CollegeFootball #ConferenceRealignment #Big12 #FloridaState #Clemson #TexasTech #OklahomaState #FirstAnd16

Week 1 is in the books for the Big 12 — and some teams already have reasons to PANIC. On today's First and 16, Adam Gibby ranks all 16 Big 12 teams based on how their fanbases should feel compared to preseason expectations. Colorado, Kansas State, Cincinnati, Arizona State and UCF came out of Week 1 feeling GREAT. But Texas Tech, Baylor, Houston and West Virginia showed some concerning signs — while TCU and Oklahoma State may already be watching their preseason expectations disappear. Who exceeded expectations? Who simply took care of business? And which Big 12 teams should be hitting the panic button? Let me know YOUR rankings in the comments. SUBSCRIBE to First and 16 for Big 12 football news, rankings, predictions and college football analysis throughout the 2026 season. #Big12 #CollegeFootball #Big12Football

Week 1 of the 2026 college football season is in the books, and my Top 25 rankings have already changed in a BIG way. Miami moves all the way to No. 1 after an impressive opening performance, Ohio State jumps Indiana, Georgia moves into the Top 5, BYU climbs to No. 7, and Texas Tech remains inside the Top 10. But the biggest controversy? Michigan is OUT of my Top 25. I'm ranking teams based on what I actually saw on the field — not logos, preseason hype or brand recognition. That means teams like North Dakota State, Western Michigan and Boise State are getting rewarded when they deserve it. MY WEEK 1 TOP 25: Miami Ohio State Indiana Notre Dame Georgia Oregon BYU Texas Tech Ole Miss Oklahoma Texas LSU Washington USC Texas A&M SMU Virginia Utah North Dakota State Alabama Houston Louisville Western Michigan Boise State Kansas State Do you agree with the rankings? Who is too high? Who is too low? And should Michigan still be ranked? Drop your Top 25 in the comments. Subscribe to First and 16 for college football coverage from across the country with an emphasis on the Big 12 Conference. #CollegeFootball #Top25 #CollegeFootballRankings #Big12 #MichiganFootball #MiamiHurricanes #BYUFootball #CFB

The Big 12 went a PERFECT 3-0 on Thursday night — and Colorado gave us one of the wildest finishes of the young college football season. Colorado stunned Georgia Tech 14-13 after a late touchdown drive and a BLOCKED field goal with just seconds remaining. Meanwhile, UCF absolutely exploded for 73 points behind a ridiculous rushing performance, while Utah rolled past Idaho 66-14. On today's First and 16: 🏈 Colorado's insane finish against Georgia Tech 🔥 Why the Buffaloes' win matters for the Big 12 ⚔️ UCF scores 73 and rushes for 360 yards 🏔️ Utah dominates Idaho with 364 rushing yards 🛡️ Is Big 12 defense becoming a legitimate storyline? 📈 Can the Big 12 actually go 15-0 this week? Through the conference's first four games, no Big 12 team has allowed more than 15 points. Even TCU's Week 0 loss came in a low-scoring game. Is the Big 12 better defensively than people expected? Subscribe to First and 16 for college football coverage with a Big 12 emphasis, reactions, predictions, rankings and breaking news throughout the season. #CollegeFootball #Big12 #ColoradoFootball #UCF #UtahFootball #DeionSanders #CFB

What would the PERFECT 24-team College Football Playoff actually look like? With playoff expansion becoming a real possibility, I'm laying out my proposed 24-team CFP format — one designed to reward conference performance, give every level of college football a path to the postseason, and limit how much power the selection committee has. MY 24-TEAM PLAYOFF: 🏈 4 automatic bids — SEC 🏈 4 automatic bids — Big Ten 🏈 4 automatic bids — Big 12 🏈 4 automatic bids — ACC 🏈 1 automatic bid — Pac-12 🏈 1 automatic bid — American 🏈 1 automatic bid — highest-ranked champion from the Mountain West, Conference USA, MAC or Sun Belt 🏈 5 at-large bids 🏈 Maximum of 6 teams from any single conference 🏈 No first-round matchups between teams from the same conference Under this system, conference races would matter more, more teams would remain alive late in the season, and the committee would have less control over who gets into the College Football Playoff. Would YOU support a 24-team playoff? What would you change about this format? Drop your playoff model in the comments. SUBSCRIBE to First and 16 for college football and Big 12 coverage throughout the 2026 season. #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #CFP #Big12 #SEC #BigTen #ACC #CFB

The Big 12 is going UNDEFEATED in Week 1. I'm calling it: 15-0. On this episode of First and 16, I predict the final score of every Big 12 game this weekend and break down the games you absolutely need to watch. That includes two upset picks that could make a major statement for the conference: Colorado over Georgia Tech 24-21 and Baylor over Auburn 31-27. We're breaking down Colorado vs. Georgia Tech, Baylor vs. Auburn, Oregon State vs. Houston, Boston College vs. Cincinnati, Oklahoma State vs. Tulsa, Texas Tech, BYU, Utah and every other Big 12 matchup. Can Deion Sanders and Colorado pull off the road upset? Can Baylor take down the SEC? And could the Big 12 seriously finish the weekend without a single loss? My Big 12 prediction: 15-0. Let me know your biggest upset pick in the comments — and which Big 12 team is most likely to ruin the perfect weekend. Subscribe to First and 16 for Big 12 football predictions, reactions, rankings and college football coverage throughout the 2026 season. #Big12 #Big12Football #CollegeFootball #CollegeFootballPredictions #ColoradoFootball #DeionSanders

Week 1 of the 2026 college football season is here — and while some people say there aren't any big games, the Big 12 has PLENTY at stake. On today's First and 16, Adam Gibby ranks every Big 12 Week 1 matchup into four tiers: 🏈 Games That Better Not Matter 👀 Important — Mostly Because of Next Week 🚨 Don't Get Caught Sleepwalking 🔥 MASSIVE Opportunities We break down Texas Tech, BYU, Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, UCF, Houston, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Baylor, Colorado and more. Plus, we revisit TCU after its ugly loss to North Carolina. Is TCU's season already in trouble — or are the Horned Frogs actually a "really bad good team" that can still turn things around? Some of the biggest games discussed: 🔥 Baylor vs. Auburn 🔥 Colorado vs. Georgia Tech 👀 Oregon State vs. Houston 🚨 Oklahoma State vs. Tulsa 🏈 Utah vs. Idaho 🏈 BYU vs. Utah Tech 🏈 Texas Tech vs. Abilene Christian Which Big 12 team has the MOST to prove in Week 1? Drop your pick in the comments and SUBSCRIBE to First and 16 for Big 12 football, college football rankings, predictions, reactions and analysis throughout the 2026 season. #Big12 #CollegeFootball #Big12Football #CFB #CollegeFootball2026

Could LSU actually get KICKED OUT of the SEC? LSU and Lane Kiffin are at the center of one of the wildest college football controversies of 2026. After LSU pursued former NFL players who could potentially regain college eligibility, the SEC pushed back — HARD. Now the battle involves court orders, Greg Sankey, possible SEC penalties, the College Football Playoff, and even discussions about whether LSU could eventually be expelled from the conference. On today's First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down: 🏈 Why LSU is fighting the SEC 🏈 The former NFL players LSU is pursuing 🏈 Why the SEC says they shouldn't be eligible 🏈 The massive penalties LSU could potentially face 🏈 Why Thursday's court hearing matters 🏈 Whether LSU could REALLY be kicked out of the SEC 🏈 How this could affect the College Football Playoff 🏈 What an LSU departure could mean for the Big 12, ACC and conference realignment 🏈 Why this fight could determine how much power conferences actually have College football is only days away, and somehow one of the biggest stories in the sport is LSU potentially going to war with its own conference. Do you think the SEC should allow former NFL players to return to college football? And could you ever see LSU leaving the SEC? 👇 Let me know in the comments. SUBSCRIBE to First and 16 for college football news, Big 12 coverage, rankings, predictions, conference realignment and more. #LSU #LSUFootball #SEC #SECfootball #CollegeFootball #CFB #LaneKiffin #Big12 #ConferenceRealignment

TCU just suffered a brutal 15-10 loss to North Carolina, but was TCU actually as bad as the final score suggests? In this quick episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down how TCU somehow produced several winning statistics and still found a way to lose. The Horned Frogs had Jeremy Payne producing on the ground, won the time-of-possession battle, forced turnovers and held North Carolina's offense in check. But 11 penalties, a disastrous safety, a 1-for-5 performance on fourth down, questionable red-zone decisions and poor execution completely changed the game. So is TCU simply a bad football team—or a talented team that's really bad at doing the little things required to win? We break down: TCU vs North Carolina reaction What went wrong for the Horned Frogs Jeremy Payne's big rushing performance TCU's fourth-down failures Costly penalties and special-teams mistakes The controversial celebration penalty Jaden Craig's late fourth-down decision TCU's bowl-game outlook What the loss means for the Big 12 Is TCU in serious trouble, or can the Horned Frogs turn this around? Drop your take in the comments. Subscribe to First and 16 for Big 12 football reactions, rankings, predictions and college football analysis throughout the 2026 season.

College football conference realignment has completely changed the map AGAIN. The Pac-12 is officially back, the Mountain West has been rebuilt, North Dakota State is moving to the FBS, Sacramento State is headed to the MAC, Texas State is joining the Pac-12, and Louisiana Tech is returning to the Sun Belt. In total, there are 22 conference affiliation changes to know entering the 2026 college football season. On this episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down the entire conference realignment domino effect and explains how we got here. We cover: 🏈 The new Pac-12 🏈 Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Colorado State & Utah State leaving the Mountain West 🏈 Why Texas State became critical to the Pac-12 rebuild 🏈 North Dakota State's move from FCS to FBS 🏈 Northern Illinois joining the Mountain West 🏈 Sacramento State's bizarre move to the MAC 🏈 UTEP leaving Conference USA 🏈 Louisiana Tech returning to the Sun Belt 🏈 How Conference USA survived another round of departures 🏈 Why another major Power Four realignment wave could still be coming The entire chain essentially starts with the collapse of the old Pac-12, followed by Oregon State and Washington State keeping the conference alive, raiding the Mountain West, and triggering replacement moves across several other leagues. What conference realignment move surprised you the most? And which school do you think moves NEXT? Subscribe to First and 16 for Big 12 football, college football predictions, rankings, realignment, playoff discussion and more throughout the 2026 season. #CollegeFootball #ConferenceRealignment #Pac12 #Big12 #MountainWest #CFB #BoiseState

The College Football season is just days away from kicking off and I've got predictions for all 192 matchups that will take place this season in the Big 12.  From upsets to dark horse picks, this is your complete coverage look at what I'm projecting will happen this fall. 

The NCAA may have just lost control of college football. In a massive shift in college sports, the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12 are stepping in to enforce eligibility rules involving athletes who have entered the professional ranks — and schools are suddenly falling in line. The NCAA tried to enforce similar rules. Lawsuits and injunctions followed. But when the conferences stepped in? Everything changed. On this special episode of First and 16, I break down why this could represent the final major blow to the NCAA's authority, how the power structure of college football is changing, and why the conferences may now hold more real power than the NCAA itself. We discuss: 🏈 The NCAA's diminishing authority 🏈 SEC, Big Ten and Big 12 power 🏈 Professional athletes returning to college 🏈 Court injunctions and NCAA eligibility 🏈 Why conferences can enforce rules differently 🏈 The future of college football governance 🏈 What this means for the College Football Playoff 🏈 The Save College Sports Act 🏈 What's coming next for college athletics The NCAA isn't literally disappearing tomorrow — but has it lost the power to actually govern major college football? Let me know below: Is the NCAA effectively dead? If not, what power does it still have? Subscribe to First and 16 for Big 12 football, college football news, realignment, rankings, predictions and analysis. #NCAA #CollegeFootball #CFB #Big12 #SEC #BigTen #CollegeSports

My way-too-early 2026 College Football Playoff predictions are here — and I've got THREE Big 12 teams making the 12-team CFP. Texas Tech runs the table. BYU makes a deep playoff run. And my biggest surprise? Houston goes 11-1 and earns a spot in the College Football Playoff. I break down my projected 12-team field, every first-round matchup, the quarterfinals and semifinals, and ultimately predict Indiana vs. BYU for the National Championship, with Indiana winning it all. 🏈 Projected CFP Field: Ohio State, Miami, Indiana, Texas Tech, Oregon, Georgia, Texas, BYU, Washington, Oklahoma, Houston and UNLV. Could the Big 12 really get three teams into the playoff? Could BYU make a run all the way to the National Championship? And is it time to expand the CFP even further? Drop your playoff predictions in the comments! SUBSCRIBE to First and 16 for college football coverage with a Big 12 focus. #CollegeFootball #Big12 #CFP #CollegeFootballPlayoff #BYUFootball #TexasTechFootball #HoustonFootball #IndianaFootball

The Big 12 was surprisingly top-heavy last season, but could that change in 2026? In this episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down the biggest dark horse teams in the Big 12 and explains why the conference could be much deeper this year. From Kansas State's favorable schedule to UCF's potential breakout under Scott Frost, we look at the teams that could exceed expectations and challenge for a spot near the top of the standings. We also discuss: Why the Big 12 lacked its usual parity last season Baylor's missed opportunities Colorado's wildcard potential West Virginia's late-season momentum Oklahoma State's intriguing schedule Which teams are most likely to pull off major upsets Can Kansas State make a run at the Big 12 Championship Game? Is UCF the conference's most underrated team? Let me know your dark horse picks in the comments. 👍 Like the video 🔔 Subscribe for Big 12 football coverage all season long 🏈 New episodes of First and 16 every week #Big12 #CollegeFootball #KansasState #UCF #Big12Football #CFB

Which non-conference game matters MOST for every Big 12 team in 2026? 👀 It's not always the biggest opponent. Oklahoma State plays Oregon, but is Tulsa actually the more important game? BYU gets Notre Dame in what could be one of the biggest games in program history. Utah has Arkansas at home. Kansas gets Missouri in the Border War. Houston gets a rematch with Oregon State. And TCU kicks off the entire college football season against Bill Belichick and North Carolina in Dublin. On today's episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down the biggest non-conference game for all 16 Big 12 teams and explains why each matchup could have a major impact on the 2026 season. 🏈 Every Big 12 team covered: Arizona Arizona State Baylor BYU Cincinnati Colorado Houston Iowa State Kansas Kansas State Oklahoma State TCU Texas Tech UCF Utah West Virginia We'll talk about: • BYU vs. Notre Dame • Oklahoma State vs. Tulsa • Arizona State vs. Texas A&M • Kansas vs. Missouri • Utah vs. Arkansas • Iowa State vs. Iowa • Houston vs. Oregon State • TCU vs. North Carolina • UCF vs. Pitt • Colorado vs. Georgia Tech • West Virginia vs. Virginia • Kansas State vs. Tulane • Baylor vs. Auburn • Texas Tech vs. Oregon State • Cincinnati vs. Miami (OH) • Arizona vs. Washington State Some of these games are about getting a marquee win. Others are about NOT losing a game you absolutely cannot afford to lose. And for the Big 12 as a whole, these games could have a major impact on the conference's national perception heading into the 2026 College Football Playoff race. What do YOU think is the biggest non-conference game for each Big 12 team? And where do you see the biggest upset? 👇 Let me know in the comments! Subscribe to First and 16 for Big 12 football analysis, rankings, predictions, news and opinions all season long. #Big12 #Big12Football #CollegeFootball #CFB #2026CollegeFootball #BYUFootball #OklahomaState #UtahFootball #KansasFootball #TCUFootball

The first AP Top 25 Poll of the season is here, and there are some rankings that make absolutely no sense. On today's episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down the entire AP Top 25 and explains why Indiana may be the most disrespected team in college football despite winning the national championship. We also dive into the massive slide for Big 12 teams, including BYU, Texas Tech, Utah, and Houston, while traditional power brands from the SEC and Big Ten continue to receive the benefit of the doubt. Plus: Why Indiana should be much higher than No. 6 The shocking treatment of Big 12 contenders BYU vs USC and the battle for perception How ESPN FPI may be influencing AP voters The growing divide between college football's "haves" and "have nots" Individual AP voters with rankings that raise serious questions Why podcasters might deserve AP votes more than some current voters Do you think the AP Poll got it right? Which team is overrated? Which team got robbed? Let me know in the comments. #CollegeFootball #APTop25 #Big12Football #BYUFootball #TexasTechFootball #IndianaFootball #CFB #CollegeFootballRankings #FirstAnd16

With the 2026 college football season just weeks away, every Big 12 team has at least one major question that could define its season. Can Texas Tech handle the pressure of being the favorite? Can BYU replace its top receivers? Will Houston take the next step into Big 12 Championship contention? Can Avery Johnson finally become the superstar Kansas State fans have been waiting for? And what does life after Matt Campbell look like at Iowa State? In this episode of First and 16, I break down the single biggest question facing all 16 Big 12 programs entering the season and explain why the answers could completely reshape the conference race. From championship contenders like Texas Tech, BYU, Kansas State, and TCU to rebuilding programs like Iowa State and Oklahoma State, every team has something to prove in 2026.

The preseason Top 25 rankings are out, and mine look very different from what you're seeing from ESPN, the AP Poll, and national media voters. In this episode of First and 16, I break down my complete 2026 College Football Top 25 rankings and explain why teams like Indiana, Miami, Texas Tech, BYU, Houston, and Oklahoma are ranked much higher than most national polls. I heavily value: ✅ 2025 Results ✅ Returning Production ✅ Coaching Stability ✅ Program Momentum I do NOT heavily value: ❌ Recruiting Stars Alone ❌ Brand Names ❌ Transfer Portal Hype ❌ SEC Bias Can Indiana really be the No. 1 team in the country? Is Texas Tech a legitimate College Football Playoff contender? Why are Texas, Alabama, and LSU lower than expected? And why are teams like Clemson, Iowa, and Tennessee missing from my rankings entirely? Let me know your biggest agreement and disagreement in the comments. 📌 My Top 10: Indiana Ohio State Miami Notre Dame Oregon Texas Tech Georgia BYU Ole Miss Oklahoma Subscribe for more Big 12 football, College Football Playoff discussion, rankings, recruiting analysis, and conference news. #CollegeFootball #Top25 #CFB #Big12 #IndianaFootball #TexasTechFootball #BYUFootball #OhioState #NotreDame #CollegeFootballPlayoff Tags: college football, college football rankings, top 25 rankings, preseason top 25, college football top 25, 2026 college football rankings, college football playoff, cfp rankings, college football predictions, ohio state football, indiana football, miami hurricanes, notre dame football, oregon ducks, texas tech football, georgia bulldogs, byu football, ole miss football, oklahoma football, texas longhorns, sec football, big ten football, big 12 football, acc football, alabama football, lsu football, houston football, utah football, tcu football, smu football, first and 16, adam gibby, college football podcast, college football youtube, college football analysis, cfb rankings 2026, preseason rankings, college football news

Which game could derail your team's season? In this episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down the biggest trap game for every team in the Big 12. From Texas Tech's potential College Football Playoff look-ahead spot to BYU's dangerous road trip to UCF and Utah's difficult scheduling situation before the Holy War, we examine the games that could produce the conference's biggest upsets. We analyze scheduling quirks, rivalry games, bye weeks, emotional letdowns, and the hidden dangers that could impact conference championship races across the Big 12. Featured teams include BYU, Utah, Texas Tech, Arizona State, Kansas State, Baylor, Colorado, TCU, UCF, Houston, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Kansas, West Virginia, and Arizona. Featured Trap Games Arizona State vs Kansas State Arizona at Kansas State BYU at UCF Baylor vs Iowa State Colorado vs Northwestern Cincinnati at Iowa State Houston at Georgia Southern Iowa State vs Oklahoma State Kansas vs Baylor Kansas State vs Iowa State Oklahoma State at West Virginia TCU at UCF Texas Tech vs TCU UCF vs Baylor Utah at Cincinnati West Virginia vs Kansas #Big12 #CollegeFootball #TexasTech #BYU #UtahFootball #KansasState #TCUFootball #UCFKnights #ArizonaState #CFB

There may be more going on at BYU than fans realize. In this episode of First & 16, Adam Gibby breaks down the rumors surrounding BYU Athletic Director Brian Santiago, Kalani Sitake's surprisingly candid comments about resources within the football program, and why those comments could signal larger issues inside BYU athletics. Adam examines the timing of recent reports, what Sitake's frustration could mean for the future of BYU football, and how any instability in Provo could impact the Big 12 Conference as a whole. Could BYU be facing a major turning point? Is this simply offseason speculation, or is there something bigger happening behind the scenes? Let us know what you think in the comments. #BYU #BYUFootball #KalaniSitake #Big12 #CollegeFootball #BrianSantiago #BYUCougars #CFB #TexasTech #UtahFootball

What if college football hit the reset button? After thousands of views and hundreds of fan reactions, Adam Gibby breaks down a bold proposal that would completely reshape the sport. Instead of nationwide conferences stretching coast-to-coast, this plan creates five regional 19-team conferences featuring the ACC, Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, and a revived Pac-12. In this episode, Adam explains: Why regional conferences make more sense than coast-to-coast leagues A proposed 95-team top division The return of historic rivalries A rebuilt Big 12 featuring Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, and more A revived Pac-12 loaded with western brands A new playoff format with guaranteed conference representation How NIL, transfer portal changes, and future regulations could create more balance across the sport Would fans rather watch Texas vs. Texas Tech, BYU vs. Boise State, and Pitt vs. West Virginia than many of today's cross-country conference matchups? Adam makes the case for bringing geography back to college football. Drop your thoughts in the comments. Would this fix college football, or is the current system better? #CollegeFootball #Big12 #SEC #BigTen #Pac12 #CollegeFootballPlayoff #Realignment #CFB

The Save College Sports Act could be the biggest college football story of the decade. In this episode of First & 16, Adam Gibby breaks down the proposed legislation that could dramatically reshape conference realignment, NIL, the transfer portal, roster management, and the future of the Power Four. Most importantly, a proposed 180-day grace period could create a final realignment frenzy before new restrictions take effect. Could Notre Dame finally join the Big Ten? Would Florida State, Clemson, Miami, or North Carolina make a move to the SEC? Could the Big 12 capitalize by adding ACC programs? Or could college football take a completely unexpected path and return to a more regional model? Topics Covered: • Save College Sports Act explained • NIL caps and revenue-sharing changes • Transfer portal restrictions • Conference expansion limits • Notre Dame and the Big Ten • SEC expansion possibilities • Big 12 expansion targets • ACC survival scenarios • The future of college football realignment Subscribe for daily Big 12 football coverage, conference realignment analysis, rankings, recruiting news, and college football commentary.

Who has the best quarterback in the Big 12 heading into the 2026 college football season? In this episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby ranks all 16 projected starting quarterbacks in the Big 12 using a tier list system that includes Heisman Contenders, Great Quarterbacks, Win Some/Lose Some, Hold Their Team Back, and Wait & See categories. From Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker and Utah's Devin Dampier to BYU's Bear Bachmeier, Texas Tech's Will Hammond, Arizona's Noah Fifita, and Kansas State's Avery Johnson, we break down every projected starter and discuss who could lead their team to a conference championship and who still has major questions to answer.

The preseason Coaches Poll is officially here, and there are some rankings that simply don't add up. In this episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down the biggest surprises, snubs, and questionable decisions in the latest Top 25. Why is BYU ranked outside the Top 12 despite returning most of its production? Why did Houston fall after finishing ranked? Why are Texas Tech and Indiana being treated differently than traditional power brands? We also examine how ESPN's FPI rankings may influence preseason narratives, AP voters, and national perception long before games are actually played. Topics include: Coaches Poll reaction ESPN FPI influence Big 12 disrespect BYU football Houston football Texas Tech football Indiana football Miami football SEC bias debate College Football Playoff implications Subscribe for more Big 12 football coverage, rankings analysis, transfer portal news, and college football discussion. Source discussion includes your argument that preseason rankings create narratives that influence later voting and public perception.

Adam Gibby (00:01) Next on first and sixteen, new legislation and another injunction. Plug your ears, Texas Tech fans, as players now appear to have a fifth year of eligibility, including those who just graduated. boy, this is gonna be a big one. We're gonna talk about that on today's show. Hello and welcome to today's episode of First 16. I'm your host, Adam Gibby. Thank you for joining us today. We are being listened to in all 50 states, 63 countries around the world. So however you're joining us. Thank you so much. If you could do me a huge favor and like and subscribe to the channel, allows us to be able to reach more people, grow this community, and talk about what matters most around college football, of course, with the emphasis being on the Big 12 conference. All right, so let's get right into it. It was released yesterday that the NCAA will now have to, well, unless they are able to figure this all out. is going to to allow players who graduated in the year 2022 a fifth year of eligibility. Yeah. That's not going to create a mess at all. Let me give a little bit of a backstory. So the Save College Sports Act, which is something that is actually really, really good for college sports. It's going to do a lot of really great things. There are some things that are still questionable and we're to be talking about that the next couple of days. Yeah, I know. We're we're almost to football season. We can actually almost talk about games soon. I cannot wait for that. And we'll be talking about games until hopefully early April between football and basketball. Point's still the same. The Save College Sports Act, one of the things that it's going to do is it's going to change eligibility. Right now, you get four years and then a potential redshirt, equaling five. But under the new law, what would happen is you would just get five years. And it doesn't matter what happens in those five years. You can play all five. You can get injured for one of them, you can get injured for three of them. You could play for two years, lead the sport for a year, come back and play two more. And once you start, that's when your clock starts. Or you turn 19. Mostly referring to you know your international players. you see it mostly in basketball. You get international players to come over maybe when they're 22, 23. So if they were to do that, they would only have two or three years of eligibility as opposed to mean and will come in as a freshman. You don't see that in football as much, sometimes maybe with kickers. but really, really, it's more of a basketball thing. There are exceptions and and for BYU fans and and some Utah fans, maybe Arizona, Arizona State, there are exceptions if you serve in the military, if you serve a church mission, then those years don't count against you. But outside of that, it's just very clear. You cannot play past five years after turning nineteen or starting your playing time as, you know, an eighteen year old. Is this good though? I think on the surface, the actual change is great. I think the whole idea of redshirting is kind of dumb anyways. You get to come in, you can play four, I think it was actually moved up to six games this year in football. But then you have to sit out the rest and that encounters your redshirt. But then if you get injured, you kinda wanna save that redshirt. And what ends up happening is you get to the end of your fourth year and it's like, I haven't used a redshirt. Well, I don't want to come back and only play part of a year, so I guess I'm just done. In basketball, you don't get to play really at all. And so, you know, that red shirt's not really a thing in college basketball. You don't really see it anymore, especially with the transfer portal. It's better for a guy to go and play at you know, Colorado of the Mines or or, you know, whatever. go play at UMass for a year, get that experience, and then transfer into the Big Twelve or, you know, ACC, whatever conference. You you very, very rarely see red shirts now taken in college basketball outside of medical redshirts, which happened with injuries. And so I think it's a good overall change. I think this is gonna be great for the game. However, this new injunction that's basically saying that players who have graduated Now get an extra year. that's a little bit dangerous. And it's it's gonna cause some issues. Because what's happening now is you're getting guys maybe like a KBK at BYU, like a Jackson Kohler at Michigan State. That's been a big one. Few guys at Michigan have talked about it. You're gonna get these guys coming back, and those roster spots. that other players were taking that were expecting to be able to, you know, play and have a lot of success in, they're now going to be on the bench. So if you're a let's just say the starting point guard for Oklahoma State, right? And that's your role. That's what you're expecting. You've gone through summer practices. You've been running with the ones. All of a sudden, fifth year senior, maybe from Oklahoma State, maybe somewhere else, he now transfer in Now he's the point guard. Well, that's not really fair to you. Because you've been promised, you've been guaranteed, you've been practicing as if you're the starter. I mean, I understand that happens in professional sports all the time. And if you're not better, then be better. But at the same time, I mean, this is unprecedented. Okay, it's almost not fair. It's not right. For a player who, especially in basketball, is trying to be a one and done. Maybe for a senior quarterback in football who's transferring for their last season as a last hope for the NFL. Well, now they're the second string. That's a tough call for those guys. And I can see both sides of the argument. If you're a fifth-year senior guy, and I don't know what we're gonna call a fifth-year senior, fifth-year player, whatever, if you're that player, And you just saw this new rule come out where you get five year and five, then you you're you're looking at it saying, Hey, I just finished my fourth year. I should get a fifth. Because I've only done four. On the flip side, I can also see the other side of the argument where it's, well, yeah, you did four, but under those rules, you're done. So no, you don't get to just retroactively go back and then you get a fifth year. I see both sides of the argument, but it looks like these players are going to get to play. So the big question I've been getting, I've and I've had a few of you reach out, is is this going to affect football? We got football coming up in less than a month. We got football this month, guys. my gosh. I am so I I've said it over and over. I am so excited just to get football going, as opposed to having to talk about talking about football. Yeah, we're not even talking about football. We're talking about talking about football. You know, expansion, Lada, whatever. So the question I've been getting is we've got football this month. Are we gonna see any players join their teams or join a team? And the short answer is probably probably yes, but not very many. and I think we're probably gonna see it more at the G6 level. And here's why. Typically You're not going to get four year players in college that don't use a red shirt that aren't going to be already in the NFL. The reason for that is Well, if you're good enough to play as a freshman, you're probably gonna be good enough for the NFL by the time you're senior. Also, so many players in football just get injured. it's almost an I I don't want to say a rarity, but it's becoming more and more rare to find players that do make it all four years without suffering some kind of injury and having to use that red shirt, which again no longer exists, but all of these players did exist in that system. And so there's just not Very many of those guys. you will get some. particularly you might get those G6 guys who maybe start as, you know, offensive guard, play their freshman season, transfer as a junior, play two years at Cincinnati or whatever. Then they're at their fourth year, and it's like, well, I'm not good enough for the NFL yet. But I also, I never used my redshirt. I'm not gonna go do that now. And so you're just kind of done. Those guys exist, but it's far and few between. And at this point in the game, again, you're not you're not dealing with your all-star players. You're not dealing with your Fernando Mendozas. Okay, you're not dealing with those guys. You're you're dealing with rotational guys. And so I'm not sure how many teams this late in the game are gonna say, yeah, yeah, yeah, please come back, especially if they're gonna be transfers. Please come back or come over here. We'll get you in our system, we'll get you going, and we'd love to have you. Again, it could happen, but I don't know. I I don't see it happening too much. Maybe at the G6 level, you know, again, you get a guy from TCU, rotational guy, played all four years. Ran out of eligibility, now's looking for a fifth year, and says, okay, I'll go play for Rice, I'll go play for North Texas, whatever. It gets to start immediately just because that talent is already so much higher than the current players they have, where it's better to have higher talent than to have like perfect knowledge of the scheme or whatever. So I don't think we're gonna see it very much in football. Basketball is a whole nother thing though. I think in basketball we're gonna see a lot. Of players return. And we're already seeing large lists of players that are wanting to return. And the reason for that is basketball is different. First off, you don't have as many injuries. Second, unless you're a really elite player, after four years, you're probably not getting drafted. And even if you are drafted, you may not decide, or you may not even make the team. Typically, if you're not in the top 20, the odds of you actually making the final roster are about 50-50. So when you look at that, and then you also consider the international game. I mean, there's there's what 62, 64 overall picks, 10, 15 of those come from international players. I mean, you're looking at about 50 guys a year that are getting picked up by the NBA versus 300 and whatever by the NFL. And so when you look at that, you consider that you're gonna have a lot of four-year guys. Also, like I mentioned, you don't get that red shirt. You don't see the same red shirt that you see in college football. Okay, I I was getting messages. I I host another show, Cougar's Daily. If you want to check that out on YouTube, I was getting messages about Chase Roberts. He was a receiver for BYU last year. And people were asking me, hey, can he come back? And at first I thought, yeah, maybe, maybe. I mean, he was a great receiver. He'd be great. He only played, you know, he's he was a four-year senior. He graduated. But then I looked back, he had a red shirt. And so he he did have that fifth year. And so for him, it wouldn't apply. Basketball, on the other hand, you don't get that redshirt. You get a lot of guys who are four and done. Because again, that that redshirt as a fifth year just doesn't make sense. So it's going to make a huge impact. And it's going to drastically change rosters, especially, especially for the younger guys. And it's going to be very interesting how that all, you know, shakes out. And I do feel for those guys, especially the freshmen who are coming in, or maybe the seniors, the fourth years, or whatever we're calling them now, who are coming into their new teams, and they're expected to be the starters. And this is either their first chance to really show off or their last. And now they're being told we understand that this has never happened before. This is unprecedented. But we're going to bring in this guy. We're going to bring in this guy who was a fringe NBA pick. He's going to start over you. And and it's and it is hard. That's tough because, you know, maybe, you know, let's say I wanted to be the point guard for UCF. I go to UCF and now some new guy comes in. Well, maybe I could have gone to USF or I could have gone to Florida, you know, Atlanta, Florida International, and been the starter, gotten those reps and worked myself onto a better roster next year. It's it's on it's on president and territory. And I I don't know what the reaction is going to be with this, but it is very, very interesting. And I think it's actually gonna booster some Big Twelve resumes and just res just rosters overall. Because right now the Big Twelve kind of is down a little bit. Last year was just such a good year for the league. You had Darren Peterson, you A.J. DeBonsa, you had you had Flemings, you I mean you had guys all bury Burries, you had guys all over the league that all went into the NBA and what was it, fourteen, fifteen overall picks? It was insane. And I'm not saying any of those guys are coming back, but if you can get some of those upper p you know, upper echelon players from the Big Ten, the ACC, the SEC, who are looking for one more opportunity they can go to a Big Twelve school, I think it's gonna help. But let me know what think. Drop a comment. I appreciate everybody who's been commenting lately. I've been trying to respond to everyone. We've been hitting thousands of views on every single video. So thank guys. Really do appreciate it. I will catch you on the next one. Have a good day. Bye.  

Who will win the Big 12 in 2026? Which teams are legitimate College Football Playoff contenders, and which programs could be in for a long season? In this episode of First & 16, Adam Gibby breaks down every Big 12 team's schedule and predicts where they'll finish in the standings. From Texas Tech, BYU, and Houston to Oklahoma State, Utah, Kansas State, and Arizona State, every team is placed into tiers based on projected wins and postseason expectations. 🏈 Big 12 schedule analysis 🏈 College Football Playoff contenders 🏈 Bowl game projections 🏈 Surprise teams and disappointments 🏈 Texas Tech, BYU, Houston, Utah, Oklahoma State & more Do you agree with these predictions? Which team is being overrated and which team is being overlooked? Let us know in the comments. Subscribe for Big 12 football analysis, rankings, predictions, transfer portal news, recruiting updates, and College Football Playoff coverage all season long. #Big12 #CollegeFootball #TexasTech #BYUFootball #HoustonCougars #OklahomaState #CFB

The Athletic recently released its latest valuation rankings for all Power 4 football programs, and the results could have major implications for the future of the Big 12. In this episode of First & 16, Adam Gibby breaks down why Utah, Texas Tech, BYU, and TCU sit atop the conference rankings, what BYU's massive rise says about the future of the Cougars, and why Colorado continues to benefit from the Deion Sanders effect. Adam also examines concerning trends for Kansas State, discusses why Cincinnati and Houston rank near the bottom nationally, and explores what these valuations could mean for future conference expansion, realignment, and the possibility of a future college football super league. Are these rankings a meaningful measure of brand strength, or just another preseason metric like ESPN's FPI? Tune in and decide for yourself. #Big12 #CollegeFootball #BYUFootball #TexasTech #UtahFootball #ColoradoBuffs #DeionSanders #TCUFootball #ConferenceRealignment #CFB

The Big 12 has a perception problem—and the solution may surprise you. In this episode of First & 16, Adam Gibby breaks down why the Big 12 doesn't need parity in 2026. Instead, the conference may need a handful of elite teams to separate themselves from the pack if it wants to earn multiple College Football Playoff bids. Can BYU, Utah, Texas Tech, and Houston become the conference's playoff standard-bearers? What happens when middle-of-the-pack teams pull off upset wins that hurt the league's national perception? And is there actually a realistic path for the Big 12 to send multiple teams to the CFP? Topics Include: • Big 12 College Football Playoff scenarios • Texas Tech's favorable 2026 schedule • BYU's path to an undefeated season • Utah's playoff ceiling • Houston as a potential dark horse • Why conference perception matters • The Big 12 vs ACC debate • How the Big 12 can earn multiple CFP bids Subscribe for daily Big 12 football coverage, rankings, predictions, recruiting news, conference realignment discussion, and College Football Playoff analysis. #Big12 #CollegeFootball #CFP #TexasTech #BYU #UtahFootball #HoustonFootball #Big12Football #CFBPlayoff #FirstAnd16

The SEC is making headlines after comments at SEC Media Days sparked discussion about the conference potentially breaking away from the current college football structure. But what would actually happen if the SEC left? In this episode of First & 16, Adam Gibby breaks down the growing tensions between the SEC, the NCAA, the College Football Playoff, and other Power Four conferences. We discuss whether fans across the country would continue watching SEC football, the role ESPN plays in shaping the college football conversation, and why regional interest may matter more than many realize. We also dive into the surprising head-to-head results between the SEC and Big 12 over the last several seasons and examine whether the perception of SEC dominance matches reality. Topics Include: ✅ SEC breakup rumors ✅ SEC Media Days reaction ✅ ESPN and college football rankings ✅ Big 12 vs SEC comparison ✅ College Football Playoff expansion ✅ NCAA power struggles ✅ Texas Tech and the Brendan Sorsby controversy ✅ Future of college football conferences ✅ SEC vs Big Ten debate ✅ Realignment news and analysis Subscribe for Big 12 football coverage, college football analysis, conference realignment news, rankings, transfer portal updates, recruiting, and playoff discussions. #CollegeFootball #SEC #Big12 #CFB #ESPN #TexasTech #BYUFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #ConferenceRealignment #FirstAnd16  

A new proposal being discussed in Congress could dramatically reshape college football. The Protect College Sports Act includes provisions that could cap conferences at 19 teams and require Power Conference schools to spend five years as independents before changing leagues. Adam Gibby breaks down what this could mean for the Big Ten, SEC, ACC, and Big 12, including the possibility of Notre Dame joining the Big Ten and predictions for which programs could be added to each conference. In this episode of First & 16: Why 19-team conferences are being discussed Notre Dame's future and Big Ten expansion SEC expansion candidates ACC expansion predictions Big 12 realignment possibilities Oregon State, UConn, San Diego State, Memphis, Tulane, Army, Navy, and more The future of conference realignment and college football Will college football eventually move to 19-team super conferences? Which schools deserve a Power Conference invitation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. #CollegeFootball #ConferenceRealignment #BigTen #Big12 #SEC #ACC #NotreDame #CollegeFootballPlayoff #NIL #TransferPortal

Is the ACC really stronger than the Big 12 in 2026? In this episode of First & 16, Adam Gibby ranks all 33 ACC and Big 12 football programs based on brand strength, national perception, conference value, and long-term relevance. From Clemson, Miami, and Florida State to BYU, Texas Tech, Utah, Kansas State, and Colorado, every team is placed into tiers and evaluated against its conference rivals. Which conference has the stronger top brands? Which league has the better depth? And when you look at the entire conference from top to bottom, does the ACC or Big 12 come out on top? In this episode we discuss: 🏈 The programs most likely to attract SEC or Big Ten interest 🏈 Why Miami and Clemson lead the ACC brand rankings 🏈 Whether BYU and Texas Tech are becoming national brands 🏈 The rise of Georgia Tech, SMU, and Arizona State 🏈 Where Colorado, Utah, Baylor, and UCF fit in the hierarchy 🏈 Which conference has the stronger middle class and overall depth 🏈 The biggest winners and losers in the ACC vs Big 12 debate Whether you're a fan of the Big 12, ACC, conference realignment, the College Football Playoff, or simply love debating college football rankings, this episode breaks down every program and answers one of the biggest questions in the sport: Who is the better conference: the ACC or the Big 12? Subscribe for daily Big 12 football coverage, conference realignment news, rankings, transfer portal analysis, predictions, and college football discussions. #Big12 #ACC #CollegeFootball #ConferenceRealignment #BYUFootball #TexasTech #MiamiHurricanes #ClemsonFootball #FloridaState #CFBPodcast #CollegeFootballPlayoff #FirstAnd16Podcast

The ACC and Big 12 continue to battle for position as college football's third-best conference, but comments from ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips during ACC Media Days have raised new questions about conference realignment, conference unity, and the future of the Power Four. In this episode of First & 16, Adam Gibby breaks down Jim Phillips' comments about building a conference where schools "want to be, not have to be" and examines whether the statement was directed at Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina, or even the Big 12. We also discuss: 🏈 ACC Media Days takeaways 🏈 Big 12 vs ACC comparison entering the 2026 season 🏈 Texas Tech's growing tension with the Big 12 🏈 Florida State, Clemson, and North Carolina realignment rumors 🏈 Brett Yormark's biggest challenge heading into 2027 🏈 Whether the Big 12 should expand with Oregon State, Washington State, Boise State, or UNLV 🏈 The future of conference realignment and the Power Four structure Can the Big 12 re-establish itself as the clear No. 3 conference in college football? Or has the ACC quietly regained momentum after reaching the national championship game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 🎙️ Subscribe for Big 12 football, conference realignment news, college football analysis, rankings, recruiting, and media day coverage. #Big12 #ACC #CollegeFootball #ConferenceRealignment #TexasTech #FloridaState #Clemson #BrettYormark #JimPhillips #CFB

Reports of BYU and Utah going to the Big 10 are once again ramping up, which brings up the question, what G6 teams would be best for expansion if the Big 12 ever was looking to add teams. 

Did ESPN's Football Power Index just hand the SEC a massive head start in the 2026 College Football Playoff race? In this episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down the latest ESPN FPI rankings and explains why the SEC landed 12 teams in the Top 25 while the Big 12 received just two. Are these rankings truly data-driven, or are they creating narratives that benefit ESPN's biggest television partner? We dive into: 🏈 ESPN FPI methodology explained 🏈 Why SEC teams dominate the rankings every year 🏈 How preseason rankings influence AP Poll voters 🏈 The playoff implications for BYU, Utah, Arizona State, TCU, Houston, and the rest of the Big 12 🏈 Why Florida, Auburn, South Carolina, and Missouri are ranked ahead of proven Big 12 programs 🏈 The transparency problem with ESPN's ranking system 🏈 How strength of schedule and "quality wins" are created before games are even played If you're a Big 12 fan, BYU fan, Utah fan, Arizona State fan, Houston fan, TCU fan, Texas Tech fan, or simply a college football fan tired of conference bias, this is a conversation you need to hear. Subscribe for daily Big 12 football coverage, conference realignment news, rankings analysis, playoff discussions, recruiting updates, and everything happening across the Big 12 Conference. #Big12 #CollegeFootball #ESPNFPI #BYUFootball #TexasTech #UtahFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #SECFootball #CFB

The 2026 Big 12 Media Days delivered no shortage of headlines. In this episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down everything that happened in Frisco, Texas, including Commissioner Brett Yormark addressing College Football Playoff expansion, the conference's international growth plans, the fallout from Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's gambling-related departure, BYU's preseason expectations, Arizona's Heisman hopes with Noah Fifita, Utah's championship aspirations behind Devon Dampier, and the latest storylines from every corner of the Big 12. We also dive into the Monster Energy partnership, conference branding, recruiting momentum, quarterback battles, preseason award winners, and what it all means for the 2026 Big 12 title race. If you missed Day 1 of Big 12 Media Days, this is your complete recap featuring every major quote, controversy, prediction, and storyline shaping the upcoming season.  

NIL has officially been around for five years which feels like just yesterday, while also feeling like an eternity ago. The NCAA and College Sports have changed forever and every team and player in the Big 12 Conference has been affected. This episode goes into what led to NIL, where it went wrong, and how it is doing well.  I also shoutout BYU for a great visit. 

The rumors are once again starting to pick up between the Big 10 and Utah, but will the Utes be leaving the Big 12 anytime soon? In this episode I break down three scenarios why they won't be laving, as well as one why they may leave. 

The NBA Draft was a very good couple of night for the Big 12 conference as they led the nation in the number of picks. The conference also broke their previous record of 12 picks overall from 2022, suggesting that despite revenue disparity with the SEC and Big 10, the Big 12 is still on top.    In the episode we also go over the NCAA eligibility rule allowing players to play five seasons over a five year period. What will this do to recruiting though? Find out on today's show! 

The NBA Draft is tonight, and while we don't know a lot, we know two things: AJ Dybansta and Darryn Peterson will be the two top overall picks, and the Big 12 will dominate in pick selections.    This episode will also go into my prediction for who will be first selected and why, as well as how the Big 12 could get four Top 10 picks. 

The biggest story in college football isn't coming from the SEC or Big Ten—it's happening in the Big 12. In this episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down the escalating legal battle between Texas Tech and the Big 12 over the Brendan Sorsby eligibility controversy. What started as a gambling suspension case has evolved into a much larger fight over NCAA authority, injunctions, conference power, and the future of college athletics. Could Texas Tech actually consider leaving the Big 12 and becoming an independent program? What would that mean for the Red Raiders, the conference, College Football Playoff access, television revenue, scheduling, and future realignment? Adam explains why this case is about much more than gambling, how injunctions could reshape college sports, why the Big 12 is pushing back so aggressively, and what happens if Texas Tech decides to go its own way. Topics Covered: Texas Tech vs Big 12 lawsuit explained Brendan Sorsby eligibility controversy NCAA authority and legal challenges College football injunctions and precedent Texas Tech independence rumors Big 12 conference realignment implications College Football Playoff impact SEC and Big Ten expansion possibilities Revenue and scheduling concerns Future of college athletics governance Is Texas Tech standing up for athlete rights—or threatening the future structure of college sports? Let's break it all down.

Is it finally time for a way-too-early Top 25? On this episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby builds his own preseason college football Top 25 from scratch—and it's nothing like the polls you'll see from ESPN, CBS, or the AP voters. From Indiana claiming the No. 1 spot to BYU cracking the Top 10 and Texas Tech landing inside the Top 10 as well, these rankings challenge the conventional wisdom surrounding the 2026 college football season. Adam breaks down why programs like Miami, Notre Dame, Oregon, Georgia, Oklahoma, Houston, and SMU deserve more respect, while traditional powers such as Alabama, Penn State, LSU, and Tennessee may be getting too much preseason hype. Topics include: Way-too-early 2026 College Football Top 25 Why Indiana is ranked No. 1 BYU's College Football Playoff potential Texas Tech's rise as a Big 12 contender Houston as a dark-horse CFP candidate Big 12 vs SEC bias in preseason rankings Notre Dame's favorable path Miami's championship ceiling Which Group of Six teams could crash the CFP race Teams just missing the Top 25 Do you agree with these rankings? Which teams are too high, too low, or completely missing? Drop your Top 25 in the comments and join the debate. Subscribe to First and 16 for year-round Big 12 football coverage, College Football Playoff discussions, rankings, recruiting news, conference realignment updates, and more.

The Brendan Sorsby controversy continues to send shockwaves through college football. After receiving an injunction that allows him to remain eligible while his NCAA case plays out, reports suggest some programs may be reconsidering future matchups with Texas Tech. If schools begin refusing to play the Red Raiders, the fallout could reshape not only the Big 12, but the entire future of NCAA governance. In this episode of First & Sixteen, Adam Gibby breaks down: 🏈 Why the Sorsby injunction could create a dangerous precedent for college football 🏈 Reports of schools refusing to schedule Texas Tech 🏈 The potential impact on the Big 12 Conference 🏈 Why conference members may be forced to take a stand 🏈 How NIL, transfers, eligibility rules, and court injunctions are changing the sport 🏈 Whether Texas Tech could face pressure to move forward without Sorsby 🏈 Why this situation could further weaken the NCAA's authority As legal battles continue to collide with college athletics, the question becomes increasingly important: Who actually governs college football anymore? Could the Big 12 intervene? Should schools refuse to play Texas Tech? And what happens if courts continue overriding NCAA eligibility decisions? Join the conversation and share your thoughts in the comments. Do you support a potential Texas Tech boycott? #CollegeFootball #TexasTech #Big12 #NCAA #BrendanSorsby #CFB

The NCAA has spent years losing power through NIL lawsuits, transfer portal battles, antitrust rulings, and challenges from state governments. But the latest ruling involving Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Storesby may be the clearest sign yet that NCAA enforcement is effectively dead. After a Texas judge granted an injunction allowing Storesby to remain eligible despite NCAA penalties related to gambling violations, a major question now hangs over college sports: If the NCAA cannot enforce one of the most fundamental rules in sports, what rules can it actually enforce? In this episode of First & 16, Adam Gibby breaks down why the Storesby decision could be a turning point for college football, how courts are increasingly overriding NCAA authority, and why the future of governance in college athletics may be headed toward complete chaos.

Has college football realignment gone too far? On this episode of First & 16, Adam Gibby breaks down Nick Saban's recent comments advocating for a return to regional conferences and explains why college football may be headed toward a major restructuring. After years of conference expansion that stretched leagues from coast to coast, many are questioning whether the current model is financially sustainable for schools, student-athletes, and Olympic sports. Adam examines the growing concerns surrounding NIL spending, transfer portal chaos, travel costs, and the financial challenges facing athletic departments across the country. He also presents a bold conference realignment proposal featuring eight geographically based leagues designed to restore rivalries, reduce travel, improve competitive balance, and create a more sustainable future for college athletics. Topics discussed include: Nick Saban's call for regional conferences SEC and Big Ten expansion Future College Football Playoff formats NIL and salary cap discussions Geographic realignment proposals The future of the Big 12 College football super conferences Saving Olympic sports programs Restoring historic rivalries The long-term future of college athletics Could college football eventually abandon the current conference structure and return to a more regional model? Adam explains why that conversation is becoming more important than ever. 📌 Subscribe for more Big 12 football, college football realignment, conference expansion, playoff, NIL, and college sports analysis. #CollegeFootball #Big12 #NickSaban #ConferenceRealignment #CollegeFootballPlayoff #SEC #BigTen #NIL #CollegeSports #CFB

In this episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down his complete 2026 Big 12 Football Power Rankings, ranking all 16 teams from top to bottom based on a neutral-field, round-robin format where every team plays every other team. Before diving into football, Adam discusses one of the biggest surprises of the spring sports season: why college baseball and softball have become home to the Cinderella stories that once defined March Madness. From Texas Tech's Women's College World Series run to Kansas, West Virginia, Milwaukee, Cal Poly, and St. Mary's making noise in NCAA Baseball Regionals, there has been no shortage of drama. Then it's time for the rankings. Can Texas Tech live up to the preseason hype? Is BYU the biggest threat to win the conference? Can Houston's elite defense carry the Cougars into title contention? And which teams are being overlooked heading into the season? Topics Covered Texas Tech softball's run to the Women's College World Series NCAA Baseball Regional upsets and Cinderella stories Why college basketball has lost some of its underdog magic Full Big 12 preseason football rankings (1–16) Texas Tech's championship expectations BYU vs. Texas Tech debate Houston's rise as a conference contender Arizona and Utah's championship potential Oklahoma State as the conference wild card Questions surrounding Colorado, Cincinnati, Iowa State, and UCF Which teams could surprise during the 2026 season

The 2026 college football TV schedule is officially here, and the Big 12 is getting more national attention than ever before. In this episode of First and 16, Adam Gibby breaks down every major Big 12 matchup from Weeks 1-3, including huge games like Baylor vs Auburn, Arizona at BYU, Utah vs Arkansas, Texas Tech vs Oregon State, Kansas vs Missouri, and Oregon vs Oklahoma State. Which programs got the biggest TV boosts from FOX, ESPN, ABC, CBS, and TNT? Which schools were underrated? And which matchups could define the College Football Playoff race? Adam also dives into: Why FOX is investing heavily in the Big 12 TNT's growing role in college football coverage Why Texas Tech and BYU continue to gain national respect Concerns about Colorado losing national momentum Why Utah vs Arkansas says a lot about SEC scheduling hypocrisy The best opportunities for the Big 12 to make national statements against the SEC and Big Ten If you love Big 12 football, conference realignment, TV ratings, College Football Playoff talk, and national media coverage analysis, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more college football coverage, Big 12 analysis, CFP expansion discussion, and weekly reactions all season long.