2024 Big 12 Media Days Biggest Storylines and Takeaways
Over two days in Las Vegas, the Big 12 became the first power conference to sow its optimistic seeds in 2024.
Along with commissioner Brett Yormark, coaches and players represented each school in the 16-team league. They answered plenty of questions from reporters about the upcoming season and—very understandably—all pointed to improvements on the horizon this year.
But there are real takeaways to gather, too.
Yormark took a not-so-veiled shot at the ACC, and the college football world learned if Ollie Gordon II would face a suspension following a recent arrest. (Spoiler alert: No.)
B/R monitored the Big 12's media days and collected a few notable storylines from the welcomed start of Talking Season.
Yormark's Big Statement
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While hindsight will always tell a more complete story, it seems the conference has nailed its hiring of Brett Yormark as commissioner.
More than anything, the league continues to exist. The Big 12 could've fractured in the wake of Oklahoma and Texas leaving for the SEC, losing the remainder of its best schools to the Pac-12, for example.
Fortunately for the Big 12, it had great leadership.
Instead of falling apart, the conference has grown to 16 teams, aggressively marketed itself nationally and secured a near-$2.3 billion media rights deal from ESPN and Fox. Yormark said in his opening statement on Tuesday that the Big 12 is the "deepest conference in America." True? Probably not. But, hey, I'm here for the vision.
Beyond that, Yormark said the Big 12 has solidified itself as a top-three league in the country, professionally throwing shade at the ACC.
That, on the other hand, is believable—and a tribute to what Yormark and his staff have accomplished in only two years.
Expectations Rising for Micah Hudson
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Texas Tech landed Micah Hudson, the program's first 5-star signee in the internet recruiting era, during the 2024 cycle.
Naturally, fans began dreaming of an immediate impact from the talented wide receiver. The obstacle, as always, is that playing significant snaps as a true freshman is not easily done.
Hudson is trending in the right direction, though.
"You'll see, Week 1, Micah Hudson," Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire told reporters. "A couple of coaches have talked about generational player. Like he is really special. He's extremely athletic. But his maturity level and the love of football and just the love of the locker room, I haven't been around a lot of people like that."
McGuire did not crown him as a starter, so still expect plenty from Washington State transfer Josh Kelly, Florida transfer Caleb Douglas and returning wideouts Coy Eakin, Jordan Brown and Drae McCray.
But the Hudson hype train is only gaining steam.
Deion's Nuanced Performance Take
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Right or wrong, fair or not, coaches are ultimately judged on wins and losses. That's the nature of the business.
Simultaneously, other pieces of the job cannot be overlooked. Deion Sanders had a great exchange with a reporter who asked the second-year Colorado coach's obligation to perform at a higher level.
"I can't win nine games and our GPA suffers. Our GPA can't be high and we lose another eight games," Sanders said. "We can't not go and grab high school players, and you've got a bunch of guys in the portal, out of the portal getting incarcerated. My wins are different. We have to win in every area. That's the way we're judged."
After an entertaining 3-0 start to his debut in Boulder, the Buffs dropped eight of their nine Pac-12 matchups for a 4-8 finish.
Expectations should still be tempered, but whether CU contends for a bowl appearance in 2024 is a fair measure of progress for Deion.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No Suspension for Ollie Gordon II
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In late June, Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Per KOCO News, an Oklahoma Highway Patrol report noted that Gordon, who is 20 years old, gave a breath sample of 0.11, which is also above Oklahoma's legal limit of 0.08.
Although the junior has since apologized, it was unclear if he'd be facing any discipline in the fall.
OSU coach Mike Gundy provided the answer on Tuesday, saying he would not suspend the first-team AP All-American for any games.
Now, look, I'd join the masses and suggest Gundy not make a habit of saying he's "probably done that a thousand times in my life" in regard to drinking two to four beers and then driving. It's not a great statement, and that quickly became a second talking point from Gundy.
Strictly on the field, however, we know OSU will be rolling out Gordon in the opener against South Dakota State.
Cam Rising 'Ready to Roll'
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Even without its star quarterback in 2023, Utah managed an 8-5 record that featured a thrilling win over USC. The level of success was a testament to longtime coach Kyle Whittingham.
Given the strength of the defense, however, it probably felt like a missed opportunity. The offense just lacked the reliable punch it presumably would've had with Rising under center, but he missed the season while recovering from a serious knee injury.
Rising is back—and apparently at full strength.
"His overall health is as good as it can be right now," Whittingham said. "Barring unforeseen setbacks or something that pops up, we feel he's going to be absolutely ready to roll."
Rising, a dual-threat quarterback, guided Utah to consecutive Pac-12 championships in 2021 and 2022.
"He immediately makes us better. Cam has that 'it' factor. ... He's one of those guys that's able to make everybody around him better," Whittingham added." And that's really what a great player does, is he makes his supporting cast play better."
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
