and a national title contender.

Assuming the BIG 12 lost UT and OU, but picked up BYU and Cincinnati, then the new look Big 12 would have had four top 20 teams last season, including 3 in the top 11. That is tied with the SEC for the most among all conferences. Admittedly, that last year was a little unusual between COVID and Zach Wilson, but even if you look over the past 4 years, the "new look" Big 12 beat the PAC12 and tied with the ACC in the number of teams that finished in the top 25.


The problem is, there is no traditional football powerhouse or even a team you would expect to see in the playoffs. The ACC has Clemson. Also, FSU and Miami were National Championship contenders and winners not that long ago (relatively speaking). From the PAC12, both Oregon and Washington have qualified for the CFPs and USC has won 7 national championships.

Who would the new BIG 12 have? Only 2 of the "new look" BIG 12 teams have ever won national championships. The most recent being BYU's in 1984. The other one being TCU back in 1938.

Without either a big name or at least a national championship contender, the Big 12 would end up being just a newer and slightly better AAC.