Big 12 football will enter its third major era in 2024. When the conference was founded, the first and most prosperous era began and lasted for almost 15 years.
Three national champion teams and several more competing teams were in the league. During this time, five of the seven Heisman Trophy winners were from the Big 12.
After the initial significant reorganization, the subsequent phase began. Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, and Texas A&M were eliminated. TCU and West Virginia arrived.
The divides had vanished. Start the complete round-robin. Although this era produced no national champions, the Big 12—which had bell cows Oklahoma and Texas—maintained its national prominence. With eight newcomers in the last two years and the Sooners and Longhorns moving to the SEC, the third era has begun.
How will this period be defined, and is it possible to fill the vacuum left by the power program? With Kansas State, why not? A few statistics clearly indicate the Wildcats. Texas and Oklahoma stand as the two most successful football programs in Big 12 history. After finishing third, K-State has assumed the top position. Austin Moore, a linebacker for Kansas State, stated, “I didn’t know that.”
Of course, the past has no bearing on the present or the future. However, that’s really nice. K-State has an overall record of 222-125 and a Big 12 record of 139-98 since the league’s founding season in 1996. Oklahoma State, at 132-105 and 220-129, is a close second. Who wouldn’t want to be the best? And while other people’s actions propelled Kansas State to the top of the class, the Wildcats are more than deserving of such distinction.
In the 28-year existence of the league, there have only been six non-bowl or sub-.500 seasons. Coach Chris Klieman of the Wildcats thinks the success at the top level can continue because of K-State’s model of consistency. Beginning his sixth season in Manhattan, Klieman stated, “When I came to K-State I wanted to build sustained success and not have a one-off team.” “The guys in the locker room deserve credit for feeling like they have to prove themselves again and wiping the slate clean.”
In the Big 12 preseason football poll, Kansas State is ranked number two, one spot ahead of Utah. Third place goes to Oklahoma State.
With quarterback Avery Johnson, a loaded backfield, and a defense that should be strong, the Wildcats are excited about the upcoming season even if no players were chosen for the preseason All-Big 12 team. There has been some discussion about a spot in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
However, it seems odd to hold the Wildcats to expectations given their well-deserved reputation for punching above their weight class. This team has won three league titles since 2003 and hasn’t been picked to win the Big 12 or the former North Division since 2004.
K-State is a team that has always been better as a whole than the sum of its parts. Right now? Kansas State is operating in a new world.
The future structure of the 16-team league, which has seen eight new teams over the last two years, is unknown and hard to predict. The teams must deal with yet another new reality that could have a significant effect on collegiate athletics as a whole.
Soon, schools and their players will cope with a revenue-sharing arrangement. A federal judge must yet accept the proposal, which would give athletes around 22 percent of the average power-league school’s yearly earnings. The anticipated cost of that bill is $21 million each year.
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy responded, “The money may not allow it,” when asked if the new conference might produce extended periods of dominance, such as Oklahoma winning six straight Big 12 titles beginning in 2015. According to Gundy, “I would assume that most schools in the league will distribute money somewhat equally.” It will dictate the kind of players you have in your squad.
While recruitment will still take place, it will focus more on getting funds to the guys you need than on actual recruiting. What does that sound like, the NFL? In the Big 12, the Sooners and Longhorns had a clear financial advantage in athletics. The league now appears to be more fiscally balanced.
A true run at domination will be difficult, according to Klieman. But producing a winner on a regular basis? Kansas State has the best chance of any program in the Big 12. It is present already.
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