Big 12 Tension: Texas Tech is Outspending Everyone

Pete Thamel, Dan Wetzel and college football and transfer portal reporter Max Olson break down the biggest storylines coming out of Big 12 Media Days, including the tension surrounding the conference and whether Texas Tech has separated itself from the rest of the league. They discuss if the Red Raiders need the Big 12, why other programs are struggling to keep pace, and what the future holds for Deion Sanders. 0:00 - Welcome 0:30 - Big 12 media days: Behind the tension 6:44 - Is Texas Tech carrying the Big 12? 11:09 - Texas Tech’s options outside the Big 12 15:19 - Why Big 12 teams can’t catch Texas Tech 24:33 - What’s holding Colorado back? 31:32 - Is the Deion Sanders era over? 33:41 - Kenny Dillingham’s next step at ASU 39:44 - What makes ASU a sleeping giant? 41:09 - Big 12 intrigue: ASU WR and QB room 45:06 - Big 12 intrigue: Utah, BYU, Houston 48:54 - Big 12 intrigue: Oklahoma St and TCU 50:07 - The Oklahoma St QB story you need to know 51:32 - Big 12 intrigue: Cincinnati OL and DJ Lagway 52:43 - Who is the Florida banana chip bandit? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thamel: Utah has one of the most dynamic QB rooms in the country (1:20)

Hour 2: Pleading the Fifth

Freddie Coleman and Harry Douglas are reacting to Big 12 Media Days and the lack of answering a specific type of question. Plus the fellas give their Mid-Week Check- In! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hour 3: Rich Power Ranks Sports’ Top Tournaments, plus NFL Insider Tom Pelissero

NFL Insider Tom Pelissero and Rich break down Brendan Sorsby’s settlement with the NFL that will allow him to enter league via the Draft next year with no penalties for his NCAA gambling scandal, the latest in the San Francisco 49ers/Brandon Aiyuk standoff, the possibility of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald returning to the Los Angeles Rams, a possible Baker Mayfield extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the QB competitions for the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings, and more. Rich reacts to the non-stop thrill provided by this year’s World Cup, and power ranks sports top 10 greatest tournaments including soccer’s biggest event, The Masters, March Madness, the Tour de France, and more. ‘No-Contest Wrestling’ host O’Shea Jackson Jr. drops by the studio where he weighs in on the Lakers’ free agent signings and trade with the Jazz for big man Walker Kessler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hour 2: ‘What’s More Likely,’ plus The Ringer’s Todd McShay Talks Sorsby & ’27 NFL Draft QB Class

The Ringer’s Todd McShay and Rich discuss Brendan Sorsby’s NFL future following his NCAA gambling scandal and subsequent settlement with the league that will allow him to be drafted next year with no threat of a looming suspension, break down what’s shaping up to be one of the best quarterback classes in decades, what Michigan QB Bryce Underwood must improve upon this year, and shares his favorite stories from covering past NFL Drafts with ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. In ‘What’s More Likely,’ Rich weighs in on the USMNT’s World Cup outlook, Argentina star Lionel Messi, France’ Kylian M’bappe, Rams DE Myles Garrett, the Saints, Dolphins, LeBron James and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if the SEC has a really bad start in non-conference play to open the season? What if Indiana drops three games or Penn State wins 10? What if Notre Dame finally breaks through for their first National Title since 1988 and what if USC finishes UNDER 8 wins in year five under Lincoln Riley? What if the BIG 12 is a two bid league and what if the college football playoff gets even messier in November? McElroy tackles some of the biggest ‘what if’s’ heading into the 2026 season.

What if the SEC has a really bad start in non-conference play to open the season? What if Indiana drops three games or Penn State wins 10? What if Notre Dame finally breaks through for their first National Title since 1988 and what if USC finishes UNDER 8 wins in year five under Lincoln Riley? What if the BIG 12 is a two bid league and what if the college football playoff gets even messier in November? McElroy tackles some of the biggest ‘what if’s’ heading into the 2026 season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hour 1: Guest Host Tom Pelissero, Sorby Fallout, plus NBA Draft with ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill

Guest host Tom Pelissero, Brockman and TJ break down how the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade impacted the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, and Jaylen Brown’s future in Boston after the Celtics tried to trade him to the Bucks. ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill and Tom talk NBA Draft including why players have to wear hats of teams that drafted them and not the hat of the team that traded for them, if the Wizards made the right choice taking AJ Dybantsa #1 overall over Darryn Peterson, the Celtics’ next steps with Jaylen Brown, what the Timberwolves must do to take the next step to contend in the West, and more. Tom breaks down the NFL’s decision to deny Brendan Sorsby’s request to enter a Supplemental Draft in the wake of the Texas Tech’s gambling scandal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices