LOS ANGELES (AP) — TCU’s unlikely run to the College Football Playoff championship has come at a most fortuitous time for the Big 12.
“If you think about where this conference was 18 months ago, and the uncertainty and the lack of stability and you fast forward to today, it’s a game changer for us,” Commissioner Brett Yormark instructed AP at Saturday’s CFP media day.
The third-ranked Horned Frogs face No. 1 Georgia on Monday night time at Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, California, for the CFP title.
The Big 12 appeared in actual hazard of falling aside or being relegated to second-tier standing through the summer time of 2021 when it was revealed flagship members Texas and Oklahoma — the one colleges to win soccer nationwide title within the Big 12 —- have been planning to go away the league and be a part of the Southeastern Conference.
Oklahoma had been the one Big 12 crew to make the College Football Playoff earlier than this season. The Sooners by no means received a recreation in all 4 appearances. Texas was the final Big 12 crew to play for a nationwide championship, when it misplaced to Alabama within the 2010 BCS title recreation.
The Horned Frogs jumped to the entrance of the convention this 12 months, however didn’t even win it. After an unbeaten common season, TCU fell to Kansas State in extra time within the Big 12 championship recreation.
It was the second consecutive season that neither Oklahoma nor Texas was concerned in an exciting Big 12 title recreation. Baylor beat Oklahoma State final season, however neither made the CFP.
The Horned Frogs, who have been picked to complete seventh within the convention earlier than the season, had constructed up sufficient of a resume that regardless of to the loss to Okay-State they earned this system’s first CFP berth and the Big 12′s first since 2019.
“We’re in the conversation today in a positive way, which I think is incredible for the conference and all of our member institutions,” Yormark mentioned. “It’s enabling us to really engage with new fans. It’s enhancing our national profile, which obviously is something that is critically important to me.”
Yormark is simply six months into his tenure of Big 12 commissioner. The former govt at expertise company Roc Nation and CEO of Barclays Center in Brooklyn was a nontraditional decide to exchange the retiring Bob Bowlsby.
The 56-year-old has harassed brand-building, creating revolutionary and new income streams and making an attempt to make the Big 12 Conference cooler.
But as he instructed AP again in October, nothing replaces profitable.
“So we’re doing everything we can to reap the benefits and rewards from a great TCU season and very excited about it,” Yormark mentioned.
TCU shall be taking part in with the total help of its rivals.
Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire mentioned he instructed Red Raiders followers who’re involved a TCU nationwide title will add power on a convention rival that he was pulling for the Frogs.
“It helps us,” he mentioned.
The rising narrative that the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten, fueled by their monster media rights offers, will draw back from the remainder of the Power Five leagues is an even bigger drawback for the Big 12, McGuire mentioned.
“I don’t think people understand how good of a conference this is,” McGuire mentioned.
The Big 12′s power was its depth. Eight of its 10 groups performed in bowl video games and the convention produced aggressive video games from high to backside each week.
TCU went 9-0 within the common season in convention, with seven victories by 10 factors or fewer. The Frogs, with their Hypnotoad vibes and mind-bending celebratory memes, have additionally certified because the hip crew of this playoff.
“They epitomize where this conferences is going, we’re a gritty conference, we work hard,” Yormark mentioned. “And despite the noise around us, we just charge forward.”
The Big 12 will cost ahead subsequent season with 4 new members — BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston — together with Texas and Oklahoma.
The Sooners and Longhorns aren’t scheduled to depart till after the present media rights contract between the Big 12 and ESPN expires in 2025. Yormark and the Big 12 have already agreed to an extension with the networks.
Still, Oklahoma and Texas stay contractually sure to the Big 12 for two extra years. Getting out of these offers can be sophisticated and expensive for the colleges.
“If there’s interest in leaving early and there’s opportunities for us all to win in that scenario, I’m open to explore it,” Yormark mentioned. “But as I sit here today, nothing has changed.”
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Follow Ralph D. Russo at https://twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP and pay attention at http://www.appodcasts.com
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AP faculty soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/ap_top25
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