Locked On Big 12 | Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast

Reports indicating that the College Football Playoff is finalizing a 24-team model represent an immediate victory for the Big 12 and programs like BYU.The math behind the current 12-team model systematically caps middle-tier power conferences. Brand perception and strength-of-schedule bias routinely compress the Big 12 down to just one or two bids. Expanding the field to 24 teams shatters that artificial glass ceiling, shifting the selection paradigm from brand protection to pure on-field volume. Under a 24-team bracket, the Big 12 projects to consistently land four to five programs in the postseason picture annually rather than fighting over a single auto-bid bubble.For BYU specifically, this expansion eliminates a historic vulnerability: getting locked out despite double-digit wins. The Cougars’ high-margin regular seasons—often dinged by committee strength-of-record metrics—instantly map into first- and second-round playoff access, securing home playoff games in Provo rather than relying on chaotic November dominoes. Expansion turns the playoff into a meritocracy, ensuring deep, consistent programs no longer get left in the cold.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!KALSHIFor a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.  Butcher BoxIf you're looking for an easier way to get great meals on the table, give ButcherBox a try. Go to https://ButcherBox.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE to get $20 off your first box, plus your choice of free ribeye, new york strip, or filet mignon in every box for a year — with free shipping always. 5-Hour ENERGY Bring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https://5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon.  ULTRA POUCHESDon’t sleep on Ultra Pouches. New customers get 15% Off with code LOCKEDONCOLLEGEFOOTBALL at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.FanDuelThis season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When No. 8 BYU welcomes No. 2 Notre Dame into LaVell Edwards Stadium, the Fighting Irish aren't just playing a football team—they are walking straight into a high-altitude, punishing meat grinder built specifically to destroy legacy brand comfort.First and foremost, Provo is an absolute house of horrors for out-of-town favorites. Altitude, a hostile sellout crowd, and Kalani Sitake’s relentless physical scheme combine to create a wall-to-wall nightmare that corporate, big-brand rosters simply aren't engineered to handle over four quarters. While national suit-and-ties rely on preseason prestige, BYU lives and breathes in the blood-and-guts trench warfare of an uncompromising weekly schedule.On the field, the Cougars bring a suffocating defensive front and a disciplined, physical run game that imposes its will at the line of scrimmage. They don't give up soft big plays; they force you to execute in the mud, grinding down hyper-hyped skill positions and wearing out opponents through sheer developmental depth and brutal execution.Notre Dame might roll in with shiny national television slots and traditional media backing, but this game won't be played in a studio—it’s going to be settled in the dirt. BYU’s violent physical edge, combined with a deafening home-field advantage, will force the Irish into costly mistakes when the lights burn brightest.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!KALSHIFor a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.  Butcher BoxIf you're looking for an easier way to get great meals on the table, give ButcherBox a try. Go to https://ButcherBox.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE to get $20 off your first box, plus your choice of free ribeye, new york strip, or filet mignon in every box for a year — with free shipping always. 5-Hour ENERGY Bring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https://5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon.  ULTRA POUCHESDon’t sleep on Ultra Pouches. New customers get 15% Off with code LOCKEDONCOLLEGEFOOTBALL at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.FanDuelThis season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM toget started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG(CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This top-ten showdown between No. 8 BYU and No. 2 Notre Dame in Provo isn't just a marquee game—it is a massive, defining moment for the Big 12 Conference.For years, coastal media suit-and-ties pushed the lazy narrative that elite college football belonged exclusively to regional monopolies and traditional brand names. But when an unblemished, 5-0 BYU team welcomes Notre Dame into LaVell Edwards Stadium under the prime-time lights, the national perception collapses. This isn't just about bowl eligibility or individual accolades; it’s a full-scale referendum on the strength of the entire Big 12.Kalani Sitake’s squad didn't ask for permission to enter the top ten—they kicked down the door through old-school trench warfare, relentless physical depth, and a suffocating defense. Every single week inside the Big 12 is a grueling, blood-and-guts meat grinder where you either out-hit your opponent or get exposed. While Notre Dame rolls in carrying pre-packaged prestige and soft corporate hype, they are stepping directly into a high-altitude house of horrors in Provo.A win for BYU shatters the glass ceiling once and for all, proving to the selection committee that Big 12 football isn't second-tier—it's where real, unyielding toughness resides. This game gives the conference an undeniable megaphone to shut down coastal bias. When the dust settles on Saturday night, the whole country will realize that the balance of power in college football doesn't run through legacy boardrooms—it runs right through the heart of the Big 12.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!KALSHIFor a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.  Butcher BoxIf you're looking for an easier way to get great meals on the table, give ButcherBox a try. Go to https://ButcherBox.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE to get $20 off your first box, plus your choice of free ribeye, new york strip, or filet mignon in every box for a year — with free shipping always. 5-Hour ENERGY Bring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https://5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon.  ULTRA POUCHESDon’t sleep on Ultra Pouches. New customers get 15% Off with code LOCKEDONCOLLEGEFOOTBALL at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.FanDuelThis season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This top-ten heavyweight collision between No. 8 BYU and No. 2 Notre Dame isn't just the biggest game on the slate—it is a monumental referendum on the absolute supremacy and legitimacy of the Big 12 conference.For years, the national narrative architects tried to box the Big 12 into a regional corner, treating it as an entertaining but secondary theater compared to legacy coastal fiefdoms. But when two undefeated titans lock horns under the Saturday night lights in Provo with ESPN’s College GameDay anchoring the production, the entire paradigm shifts. This game validates every drop of sweat spilled in the conference’s brutal, weekly meat grinder. It proves that elite, playoff-caliber football isn't exclusive to traditional brand names; it belongs to whoever can survive the trench warfare and physical toll that the Big 12 demands week in and week out.For the Cougars, a statement win on this grand stage shatters the final glass ceiling, signaling to the selection committee that high-altitude toughness and old-school execution cannot be ignored. For the conference as a whole, it’s a massive megaphone shouting down the coastal bias once and for all. When the nation tunes into LaVell Edwards Stadium, they aren't just watching a single matchup—they are witnessing the ultimate changing of the guard, where the beating heart of college football's elite pulse beats firmly in the rhythm of the Big 12.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!KALSHIFor a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.  Butcher BoxIf you're looking for an easier way to get great meals on the table, give ButcherBox a try. Go to https://ButcherBox.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE to get $20 off your first box, plus your choice of free ribeye, new york strip, or filet mignon in every box for a year — with free shipping always. 5-Hour ENERGY Bring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https://5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon.  ULTRA POUCHESDon’t sleep on Ultra Pouches. New customers get 15% Off with code LOCKEDONCOLLEGEFOOTBALL at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.FanDuelThis season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LIVE FROM SUNDANCE: This top-ten heavyweight collision between No. 8 BYU and No. 2 Notre Dame isn't just another fixture on the autumn calendar—it is a monumental, earth-shaking referendum on the entire landscape of college football. When two undefeated powerhouses lock horns under the Saturday night prime-time lights at LaVell Edwards Stadium, with ESPN’s College GameDay descending upon Provo, the entire sports world stops. This game is massive because it completely shatters the cozy, coastal narrative that elite national relevance belongs exclusively to regional monopolies and legacy brand names. Kalani Sitake’s squad didn't ask for permission to crash the penthouse; they battered down the doors through old-school trench warfare, punishing developmental depth, and a relentless refusal to bend to status-quo bias. For the Big 12, this is the ultimate validation. Every brutal, blood-and-guts Saturday inside the conference's weekly meat grinder builds toward moments like this. It proves that authentic, high-altitude toughness and elite execution carry more weight than pre-packaged preseason hype. A win on this stage alters the entire geopolitical hierarchy of the sport and sends a deafening message to the selection committee. When a deafening, sold-out Provo crowd creates a house of horrors for the Fighting Irish, the nation isn't just watching a football game—they are witnessing a seismic shift in power. Are you ready for the ultimate clash of wills? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! KALSHI For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next. Butcher Box If you're looking for an easier way to get great meals on the table, give ButcherBox a try. Go to https://ButcherBox.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE to get $20 off your first box, plus your choice of free ribeye, new york strip, or filet mignon in every box for a year — with free shipping always. 5-Hour ENERGY Bring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https://5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon. ULTRA POUCHES Don’t sleep on Ultra Pouches. New customers get 15% Off with code LOCKEDONCOLLEGEFOOTBALL at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.