It took a while — longer than even Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark promised three times — but it’s here now. The 2023 Big 12 football schedule came out on Wednesday, and suddenly the new era of BYU athletics feels very real.
Real in two senses actually.
Real in the sense that BYU’s long-awaited vision of playing big-time college football is about to be realized. It will play 10 Power Five teams, the most in program history. Oklahoma will come to town and a trip to Texas awaits. It doesn’t get much bigger than that.
But it also feels real in the sense of just how new this will all be for BYU, and how big of a learning curve there might be. We’ve written before about the difficulties of acclimating to a new conference. But often it felt abstract. Now, with trips like Kansas and Oklahoma State firmly on the schedule with dates, it feels tangible.
It will be a new experience for BYU — both in the big picture and the daily one.
Mark your calendars: The Cougars start this journey for real Sept. 23 at Kansas.
Quick hits
ESPN surveyed Big 12 coaches — and they think BYU will be the incoming program “most equipped to handle a full-blown Power 5 schedule.”
Cougs Daily took a look at how BYU’s transfers stacked up to the rest of the conference.
But while “splash additions Slovis and Robbins should provide a notable offensive boost,” The Athletic is giving BYU losing marks in the portal so far.
49ers star Fred Warner recently spoke with The Tribune about the state of BYU football.
We also broke down some of BYU basketball’s defensive breakdowns.
Around the Big 12
Baylor — Utah native George Maile could be a rising star for the Bears.
UCF — Grading Gus Malzahn so far …
Cincinnati — The Bearcats look serious about contending in the Big 12. They just announced a new stadium naming rights deal that will help them “reach the $80 million mark in its $100 million capital campaign.”
Houston — Wants to keep playing games on campus.
Iowa State — The Cyclones have a new wide receivers coach.
Kansas — Kansas picks up a commitment from JUCO safety Akili Hubbard.
Kansas State — The Wildcats have lost an assistant to the Big Ten.
Oklahoma — Why Fox’s Joel Klatt likes the Sooners in ‘23.
Oklahoma State — Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy facing crossroads in 2023 season.
TCU — The Horned Frogs have some gaps to fill after a magical run to the national title game.
Texas — Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian has been busy rewatching last year’s Alabama game.
Texas Tech — Texas Tech hires Baylor assistant Justin Johnson to fill football offensive staff vacancy.
West Virginia — The Mountaineers will face all four Big 12 newcomers this season.