The Big 12 conference is set to host its two-day football media event at The Star, the Dallas Cowboys training facility in Frisco, which is located about 7 miles east of Little Elm. The gathering begins Tuesday, with coaches and players from all 16 member schools participating in discussions regarding the upcoming season.
A primary focus of the event will be the aftermath of the Brendan Sorsby controversy. The situation began in March when it was revealed that Texas Tech quarterback Sorsby placed impermissible bets on college football. The incident led to multiple lawsuits filed against the NCAA and Texas Tech, with school officials and booster Cody Campbell initially supporting the athlete. The conflict escalated last month when the Big 12 filed a federal lawsuit, prompting Sorsby to withdraw his own lawsuit against the NCAA and effectively ending his eligibility for the current season. The league notes that the dispute has strained relationships between Texas Tech and the other 15 member schools, raising questions about whether commissioner Brett Yormark can help reunite the conference.
Another major topic is the proposal to expand the College Football Playoff from 12 teams to 24. While the Big 12 and its coaches support the change for its potential to include more teams, progress has stalled over the past year. Obstacles include scheduling concerns that could push the semifinals and national championship into February, as well as resistance from other leagues like the SEC to eliminate conference championship games. Some suggest moving the season start to Week Zero could help, but no timeline for a 24-team model has been established.
The conference is also addressing the impact of the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model, known as "5-for-5." This rule eliminates redshirt seasons and waivers for super-seniors, aiming to simplify roster management and reduce player transfers. However, the model also removes medical hardship waivers for season-ending injuries and may lead to more true freshmen seeing immediate action. Details on how specific programs will adjust remain to be seen.
