Welcome to the Big 12 Buzz! Things are going to look a little different during the offseason but that doesn’t mean I can’t share what’s on my mind this week in the Big 12!
Heisman Snub
There isn’t much that surprises me anymore, but the fact that Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez will be sitting in Lubbock during the Heisman ceremony is flat out stupid. Rodriguez was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy which is given to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player.
There are four finalists that go to New York City, which are Fernando Mendoza, Diego Pavia, Julian Sayin and Jeremiyah Love. The first three players don’t bother me but does Love belong there over Jacob Rodriguez? Absolutely not. Jeremiyah rushed for 1,300 yards this season which to me is nothing worthy of getting a Heisman invite.
Meanwhile Jacob Rodriguez had a season like few defensive players have ever had which included 117 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, an FBS-leading seven forced fumbles, six pass breakups, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. In the last five years, only one defensive player has been invited to New York. That needs to change and some of these voters should change as well.
BYU Got Screwed
I am not going to dive too deep on this due to me venting about this topic a week ago right here on the buzz. Plus, I don’t need my blood boiling at this point in my life either. However, I decided to sacrifice my ears and eyes by watching the selection show on Sunday and I am still regretting it.
The bottom line is that BYU was disrespected by the committee from day one. No team from a power conference ever went into conference championship weekend 11-1 and not in the top ten. From some reason, BYU was the exception. They were a complete afterthought to the committee and the talking heads on ESPN, where people like Kirk Herbstreit were just spewing garbage. I don’t care about his dog anymore because it’s just a way to cover his awful takes on the playoff.
Alabama was the only team to lose their conference championship game (by three touchdowns by the way) and not get bumped down. There is no logic anymore when it comes to the committee and the playoff. It’s nothing more than dollars and agendas at this point. Unfortunately, I can’t get back the brain cells I lost watching the selection show on Sunday.
Hello Private Equity
On Tuesday, the University of Utah made history and finalized a private equity partnership with New York-based firm Otro Capital. It has been reported that this move will help generate an estimated $500 million for athletic department in Salt Lake City.
Utah had to receive clearance from this by the NCAA with stipulations to remain an NCAA member such as university president Taylor Randall and athletic director Mark Harlan who must retain majority decision-making control.
This will create for-profit entity that will operate the Utes’ athletics outside of the university. Utah Brands & Entertainment LLC will exist as an independent offshoot of the athletic department co-owned by the university and Otro Capital. The school will be the majority owner and possess decision-making authority while Otro Capital earns a percentage of the company’s annual revenue.
Basically, Otro Capital would buy in as a minority partner, while the University, through its foundation, keeps controlling interest and governance. So, it’s not a full sale or a handover, but it is a serious financial play that would immediately give Utah more cash on hand. The agreement also comes with an exit strategy five years down the line, and the university possesses the right to purchase Otro Capital’s ownership stake.
Right or wrong, this is where we are at in college athletics today. Will it work out? Who knows, but Utah is willing to take a chance, and I know that other schools around the country will be watching this closely or doing the same thing.
Goodbye Matt Campbell
I don’t mean to open any wounds, but this is my only opportunity here to bring up this subject here on this platform. What Matt Campbell did for Iowa State in his ten years was incredible. He was one of five coaches with 50 or more Big 12 wins; he led Iowa State to two Big 12 championship appearances and won a New Years Six Bowl. Matt did more than anyone ever expected and stayed for longer than anyone expected.
He turned down jobs from the NFL and other programs with more resources to stay in Ames and that man owes Iowa State nothing. I can’t sit here behind a keyboard and criticize him for taking the Penn State job making a decision that was best for him and his family.
