The college football landscape is shifting, with powerhouse conferences exploring bold new scheduling alliances. Amid the noise, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark stands firm, signaling a different path for his league. His recent comments have sparked fresh debate about how the Big 12 will compete in an era of super-conference maneuvering.
Brett Yormark Doubles Down: No Scheduling Alliance for the Big 12
As the SEC and Big Ten discuss a potential scheduling partnership that could reshape college football’s regular season, Yormark has made it clear the Big 12 won’t follow suit.
“No. We’re fine,” Yormark said, speaking during the Big 12’s spring meetings. “We love our out-of-conference schedule. We don’t necessarily have an alliance with any particular conference. We play them all”.
View this post on Instagram
This direct dismissal comes as the SEC and Big Ten consider a model that would see their teams face off annually, creating marquee matchups and consolidating their dominance.
Yormark feels good about the Big 12’s current game plan, and it really comes down to the league’s mix of opponents and its focus on keeping things fair and competitive.
“We want to earn it on the field,” he said, and that’s something you’ll hear echoed by Big 12 coaches and athletic directors, too.
The Big 12 likes to keep its schedule flexible, letting teams play all sorts of programs from around the country instead of tying themselves down to just one alliance. This approach is a big part of the ongoing conversation about what the future College Football Playoff should look like.
While the Big Ten and SEC are pushing for more automatic spots for their teams, Yormark is standing behind the 5+11 model. That setup would give a playoff spot to each of the four major conference champs and leave 11 spots open for anyone else who earns it.
“It’s fair. It’s what our fans want. They don’t want an invitational. They want a real playoff system,” Yormark said.
And honestly, it sounds like he’s got a lot of people in the conference on board with that idea.
KEEP READING: SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey Blasts CFP for Ignoring Strength of Competition: ‘The Rigor of Our Schedule Is Different’
Still, some analysts question whether the Big 12’s independent approach will keep it competitive in the long run, especially if the SEC and Big Ten’s alliance draws more TV revenue and national attention. For now, though, Yormark remains bullish.
“We have solidified ourselves as one of the top three conferences in America. We are more relevant now than ever before,” he declared at the league’s media days.
As the college football arms race accelerates, Yormark’s message is clear: the Big 12 will chart its own course, confident in its out-of-conference schedule and its commitment to earning respect on the field, not through alliances.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
