Split Zone Duo: College Football Podcast · Richard Johnson and Alex Kirshner

Big 12 Offseason Vibe Check: Houston, You Have a Quarterback

·1 hr 9 min·5 clips

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark's glass court idea backfired, revealing his need for attention over practicality.

This episode of Split Zone Duo focuses on the current state of Big 12 football programs during the offseason. Hosts Alex Kirshner and Richard Johnson, veteran college football analysts, assess each team's recent changes and overall trajectory. They begin by humorously referencing Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark's idea for a glass basketball court, which was scrapped mid-tournament. The hosts then analyze coaching changes, starting with Kenny Dillingham signing an extension at Arizona State after securing new donor funding. At Utah, they note the significant loss of offensive line coach Jim Harding to Michigan, questioning the future of the program's trademark physicality. The conversation shifts to Kansas State, where Chris Klieman's retirement paved the way for head coach Colin Klein, supported by new general manager Trey Scott. For TCU, the hiring of offensive coordinator Gordon Sammon from UConn signals a potential move away from Sonny Dykes's air-raid roots. The hosts examine Arizona's gutted secondary and quarterback Noah Fifita's challenge to sustain his breakout success. Cincinnati's Scott Satterfield is portrayed as facing a "teetering situation" with significant roster and financial limitations. Iowa State enters a new era under Jimmy Rogers after Matt Campbell's departure, with quarterback Jalen Rainer transferring in from Arkansas State. Baylor's hopes are pinned on quarterback DJ Lagway, though the team lost its entire core of pass-catchers. The episode concludes with a deep dive into Colorado, questioning how long Deion Sanders's tenure will last given a rebuilt offensive line and diminishing returns. A surprising insight is that Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham secured a major donor by publicly "ranting" about needing an eight-figure contribution. The hosts find the timing of Chris Klieman's retirement at Kansas State intriguing, suggesting it was accelerated to not miss out on hiring Colin Klein. They argue that TCU's Sonny Dykes might be on a warm seat despite recent nine-win seasons due to fan exhaustion. The analysis of Cincinnati reveals a blunt assessment from Scott Satterfield, who admitted the program probably couldn't afford to keep its own quarterback. For Colorado, the hosts debate the calculation of ending the Deion Sanders era versus accepting the diminishing but still significant attention he brings. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending insider knowledge with dry humor about the sport's absurdities. The style is free-flowing, moving between teams based on shared themes like coaching changes or portal struggles. This episode is ideal for dedicated Big 12 fans or anyone tracking offseason roster construction and coaching carousel fallout. Listeners seeking game previews or Xs and Os breakdowns should skip this vibe-focused discussion.

As heard by us

A blunt Big 12 checkup that treats portal math as football reality.

Split Zone Duo opens with March Madness talk, then settles into a plainspoken look at roster movement, money, and what portal season says about team strength.

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Why you'd press play

You want the Big 12 read that starts with the money, not the slogans.

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