Big 12 Preview: Part 2 - Texas Tech’s Encore, BYU’s Challenge & Kansas State's New Era

In this college football podcast episode, we continue our 2026 Big 12 preview with the first full batch of team-by-team breakdowns. Texas Tech enters as the reigning conference champion and apparent favorite, but the strange offseason surrounding Brendan Sorsby and Will Hammond has made its path back to the College Football Playoff more complicated than it first appeared. We examine whether the Red Raiders can turn one dominant season into a repeatable model, and whether BYU has enough offensive growth and defensive muscle to finally close the gap. From there, we move into the conference’s crowded and unpredictable middle. What will Kansas State look like with Collin Klein returning to lead the program? Can Dave Aranda and new defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman bring order to the chaos at Baylor before time runs out? We also consider whether Andy Kotelnicki can revive the Kansas offense, whether Brennan Marion’s Go-Go system is the answer for Colorado, and how quickly new regimes at West Virginia and Iowa State can start showing meaningful progress. Plus, we discuss the booming transfer market for competent offensive linemen, the college football equivalent of a veteran left-handed relief pitcher, several dangerous schedule sandwiches, and much more. Key Moments In This Episode: 00:00 - Intro 05:49 - Texas Tech Red Raiders: Defending Champions Overview 20:57 - BYU Cougars: The Next Step 22:44 - Bear Bachmeier's Passing Progression 28:32 - Kansas State Wildcats: The Colin Klein Era Begins 31:13 - Avery Johnson & Sean Gleeson's Offense 37:47 - Baylor Bears: Dave Aranda's Hot Seat & Year 7 40:09 - Joe Klanderman's Defense & DJ Lagway Transfer 47:52 - Kansas Jayhawks: Andy Kotelnicki's Return 50:21 - Cole Ballard, Isaiah Marshall & Two-QB Schemes 53:59 - Colorado Buffaloes: Julian Lewis & Go-Go Offense 57:43 - Buffs O-Line Doubts & Defensive Overhaul 01:00:36 - West Virginia Mountaineers: RichRod & Cam Cook 01:04:24 - Iowa State Cyclones: Jimmy Rogers & A New Roster 01:10:02 - Outro & Show Wrap-Up ☝️ SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.verballers.com *👉 FOLLOW ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APPS: 🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3r2iQcY 🟢 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/45NCifc 🟡 Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/49irJmD 🟧 Overcast: https://bit.ly/SVOvercast 🎧 Pocket Casts: https://bit.ly/SVonPocketCasts 📱 Podcast Addict: https://bit.ly/SVPodcastAddict 📻 CastBox: https://castbox.fm/vc/2233040 👉 Subscribe to our YouTube channel get more CFB videos: https://bit.ly/46ckydQ 👕 New Merch: https://merch.solidverbal.com/