Welcome to the Heartland College Sports Big 12 Football mailbag. This mailbag is for all you football junkies out there who root for a Big 12 school and not only have questions about your team but other teams in the conference as well.
So, join me, grab a can, bottle, or glass of your favorite beverage, and relax as I answer all your Big 12 questions.
I want to thank each one of you who submitted a question this week on Twitter and our message boards! As for tonight’s drink of choice, take a look for yourself. Cheers!
@wart222 asks: Does the Big 12 sweep the weekend and start the 2024 party off right?
Duke: I have my concerns, but I am in a good mood today and will say, YES. Of course, there will be a close game or two, but the conference shouldn’t have too many issues in week one to worry about. 16-0 has a nice ring to it, but unfortunately it will not last forever because Week 2 is absolutely LOADED.
@JohnnyJ31458195 asks: Thoughts on Big 12 moving to 32+ plus in the next decade. Who does the Big 12 absorb from the Big Ten and SEC when NFL lite comes and snags the elites? Does Big 12 only lose Oklahoma State and ASU?
Duke: While I agree that college football is becoming more and more like the NFL with each passing season, I am not sure that the blueblood schools will break away from the NCAA. If that were to happen then college football as we know it would be all but dead. I don’t even want to go down that road right now. Football is back so that’s where my focus is. Maybe we can revisit this next offseason.
@sameSchmitt asks: What Big 12 contender will we be most worried about after Week 1?
Duke: Out of the top contenders, it’s got to be Oklahoma State. Remember that South Alabama game last year? If the Cowboys don’t bring their A-game against South Dakota State, then they will be in a tough battle. Playing the number one team in the FCS for your first game should raise some concern but if Oklahoma State comes out rolling then they shouldn’t have much of an issue.
@Particular_Drew asks: Delusional Buffs fans are emerging from the woodwork with terrible predictions this week, so we need you to arbitrate. Of the 3 Dakota games: 1) which team wins by the most? 2) which game is closest? 3) which BXII team is most likely to lose?
Duke: I am not going to call Colorado fans delusional, but I will answer your question. For those wondering here are the three Dakota games.
- North Dakota State @ Colorado
- North Dakota @ Iowa State
- South Dakota State @ Oklahoma State
Out of these three games, Iowa State will win by the most, Oklahoma State’s game will be the closest, and Colorado is the team most likely to lose. And in case you or anyone else is interested, I wrote about these three games last week.
@delbertintheheadk asks: This time next week, which fanbase will be most excited, most frustrated, most disappointed?
Duke: The most excited fan base will be West Virginia, which I will get to in a bit. As for the most frustrated, I will go with Oklahoma State. The Cowboys are notorious for getting off to slow starts and South Dakota State is coming off back-to-back FCS national titles. That game will be close, but I still think Oklahoma State will win. The team that could end up the most disappointed is Houston. They are only favored by one point against a quality UNLV team. The chance of an upset happening there is high.
@petemundo asks: Is West Virginia vs. Penn State the most important Big 12 football game of the year?
Duke: Well hello there bossman. Welcome to the mailbag! While the West Virginia vs. Penn State game is the most important non-conference game in the Big 12 this season, that doesn’t mean it is the most important game of the entire year. Maybe this is a cop out answer, but the most important game of the year is played in Jerry World with a Big 12 title and a playoff berth on the line.
@pennute asks: Will there be any national buzz about the Big 12 after Week 1?
Duke: Yes, there will be national buzz about the Big 12 after Week 1. You know why? Because the West Virginia Mountaineers will take down Penn State this weekend. It’s going to be one hell of a party in Morgantown. I can already smell the moonshine, pepperoni rolls, and the burning couches from here!
