Advertise on podcast: Open For Business: a Big 12 Podcast w/ John Kurtz

Send us Fan Mail Is there more SEC bias baked into the latest AP Top 25? John reacts to the new rankings, explains why Alabama has a case to be ranked even higher and breaks down how the voters treated the Big 12. Then it’s time for a new set of Big 12 power rankings, with Utah taking over the #1 spot. Plus, Arizona and Baylor make major statements, BYU and Texas Tech remain in the contender mix, and the race for Arlington gets even more interesting. Also: John unveils his vibes-based Top 25 and looks at why it feels like everybody in college football is suddenly in crisis mode. 00:00 Intro 01:55 AP Top 25 Reaction 12:52 Vibes Only Top 25 19:18 College Football Crisis 30:21 Arizona Reaction 36:38 Baylor Reaction 43:56 Big 12 Power Rankings 53:36 Super Chats / Q&A Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smnwJGOvCkk

Send us Fan Mail BYU survived a huge scare at TCU, while Texas Tech found another way to win ugly on the road at Colorado. The Cougars battled through injuries to LJ Martin and Isaiah Glasker, struggled to create explosive plays, and leaned heavily on Bear Bachmeier’s legs to escape with a 17-10 win. Texas Tech had its own problems offensively, but the Red Raiders’ defense took over after the opening drive and carried them to another win. In this OFB After Dark instant reaction, I break down BYU’s offensive concerns, Texas Tech’s slow starts, the impact of Cameron Dickey’s injury, and what another uneven day says about the Big 12 title race. With Houston, BYU and Texas Tech all looking vulnerable, are Utah and Oklahoma State actually the two best teams in the Big 12 right now? #BYUFootball #TexasTechFootball #Big12 #CollegeFootball #OFB Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLMV3V18vSg

Send us Fan Mail Missouri football just delivered one of the biggest wins of the Eli Drinkwitz era, smashing Florida and making me admit I was wrong about Mizzou. After questioning whether the Tigers deserved to remain in the Top 25, Mizzou answered in emphatic fashion. The Tigers shut down Jadan Baugh and the Florida rushing attack, Austin Simmons made big-time throws, and Jamal Roberts exploded with huge plays in the second half. In this instant reaction, I break down what impressed me most about Missouri, why this is such an important win for Eli Drinkwitz, what it means for Mizzou moving forward, and what the result tells us about the SEC pecking order. Mizzou fans, you earned this one. #Mizzou #MissouriFootball #FloridaFootball #SEC #CollegeFootball Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAC7RywTGto

Send us Fan Mail Alabama made a statement against Mississippi State, Iowa State and West Virginia played one of the wildest games of the day, and Houston survived UCF after falling behind 17-0. John Kurtz reacts to the biggest takeaways from the early college football window, including why Alabama looks like a legitimate top-tier SEC team, Aiden Flora’s breakout performance for Iowa State, West Virginia’s defensive issues, and why Houston still leaves major questions despite the comeback win. Subscribe to Open For Business for Big 12 coverage and college football coverage from every angle, including the forces shaping the sport on and off the field. Subscribe here to the Open For Business Big 12 newsletter: https://www.ofbnews.com/ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=harQWzX9_iQ

Send us Fan Mail Penn State is a disaster after getting embarrassed by Northwestern, raising serious questions about Matt Campbell, Rocco Becht and the direction of the Nittany Lions. John Kurtz breaks down what went wrong, why Penn State’s defense was even more concerning than the offense, whether Campbell can fix this roster and why Iowa State fans are enjoying the ultimate hate watch. Subscribe to Open For Business for college football reaction, Big 12 coverage and analysis from across the sport. Join the OFB Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=152fT83Rxoo

Send us Fan Mail Conference realignment could once again throw college football into chaos. The Protect College Sports Act has passed the Senate, but Clemson, Florida State and other ACC interests could help derail it over restrictions on future conference expansion. Plus, are No. 10 BYU and No. 12 Texas Tech walking into upset traps at TCU and Colorado? Why Kamario Taylor and Mississippi State represent exactly what college football needs against Alabama, why a 24-team College Football Playoff now feels inevitable, and the biggest danger spots across Week 5. Also discussed: Florida-Missouri, Ohio State-Iowa, Miami-Clemson and whether Washington could send Lincoln Riley and USC into a full-blown spiral. Subscribe to Open For Business for smart college football talk covering the Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, ACC, College Football Playoff, realignment and the biggest forces reshaping the sport. 📬 Join the OFB Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnNzcrZPhF4

Send us Fan Mail 1:51 — AP Poll: SEC bias, USC & the Big 12 11:55 — Matt Campbell & Kyle Whittingham: Honeymoon Over? 20:28 — Did the Big Ten Fix Its Biggest Problem...and Get Worse? 28:29 — Big 12 Contenders: Oklahoma State Rises, K-State Falls 39:14 — The SEC Won Its College Football Playoff Fight Big 12 contenders are separating themselves, the Big Ten suddenly looks much deeper and shakier at the top, and the SEC may have won another major College Football Playoff battle. On today’s Open For Business, we break down the latest AP Top 25, the rise of BYU, Utah, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, which Big 12 teams are real championship contenders, why the Big Ten race looks completely different than expected, and what the CFP’s new strength-of-conference emphasis could mean for the SEC, Big 12 and ACC. We’ll also get into Matt Campbell and Kyle Whittingham’s rough starts in the Big Ten, Texas Tech’s lingering concerns, Oklahoma State’s surge, Cincinnati’s hot start and much more from a wild college football weekend. Subscribe for national college football coverage with a Big 12 edge, plus analysis on the playoff, conference power, realignment and the forces reshaping the sport. Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter

Send us Fan Mail Big 12 contenders are separating themselves, the Big Ten suddenly looks much deeper and shakier at the top, and the SEC may have won another major College Football Playoff battle. On today’s Open For Business, we break down the latest AP Top 25, the rise of BYU, Utah, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, which Big 12 teams are real championship contenders, why the Big Ten race looks completely different than expected, and what the CFP’s new strength-of-conference emphasis could mean for the SEC, Big 12 and ACC. We’ll also get into Matt Campbell and Kyle Whittingham’s rough starts in the Big Ten, Texas Tech’s lingering concerns, Oklahoma State’s surge, Cincinnati’s hot start and much more from a wild college football weekend. Subscribe for national college football coverage with a Big 12 edge, plus analysis on the playoff, conference power, realignment and the forces reshaping the sport. Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1emRTy7T8M

Send us Fan Mail Texas A&M and Oklahoma are both 2-2, their College Football Playoff hopes are already in serious trouble, and both programs now have quarterback drama to deal with. Mike Elko and Texas A&M are searching for answers after a blowout loss to LSU and another rough performance from Marcel Reed. Meanwhile, John Mateer’s turnover problems continued as Oklahoma was blown out by Georgia, creating questions about Brent Venables, his quarterback and whether the Sooners can recover. Which season is more salvageable? And are Texas A&M and Oklahoma already headed toward disappointing seasons? Subscribe to Open For Business for college football analysis, Big 12 coverage, SEC storylines, realignment and the biggest stories shaping the sport. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDwDK2tPMNk

Send us Fan Mail USC’s loss to Oregon turned ugly after Trojans linebacker Desman Stephens II was ejected for targeting on a hit that knocked Oregon quarterback Dante Moore out of the game. But even after losing Moore, Oregon turned to Dylan Raiola and still beat USC 41-27 in Los Angeles. Dan Lanning took shots at USC afterward, while another disappointing defensive performance raised even more questions about Lincoln Riley’s future with the Trojans. Was this the most damaging loss yet for Lincoln Riley at USC? We break down the Dante Moore hit, Oregon’s response, Dylan Raiola’s performance, Dan Lanning’s postgame comments and whether Riley can survive another disappointing season. Subscribe to Open For Business for college football analysis and the biggest stories shaping the sport. 0:00 The USC Meltdown and the Controversial Hit 1:38 The Illusion of Toughness at USC 2:58 The Meme Quarterback Who Saved Oregon 5:37 The Uncertain Path Forward for Lincoln Riley Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE4O6_IKcYk

Send us Fan Mail Oklahoma State beats West Virginia 41-24 in Morgantown, and the Cowboys look more and more like a legitimate Big 12 contender. After the stunning loss to Tulsa earlier this season, Oklahoma State has now beaten Oregon and followed it up with an impressive road win over West Virginia. Drew Mestemaker threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns, Caleb Hawkins ran for 180 yards, and Wyatt Young exploded for 192 receiving yards as the Cowboys piled up 609 yards of offense. John Kurtz gives his instant reaction to Oklahoma State vs. West Virginia, Drew Mestemaker, Wyatt Young, Caleb Hawkins, Michael Hawkins Jr. and what this result means for the Big 12 race. Subscribe to Open For Business for college football coverage from across the country, including the Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, College Football Playoff and the biggest forces reshaping the sport. Join the OFB Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N84CxCl91ro

Send us Fan Mail 0:00 Utah's Dominant Road Performance 1:04 The Evolution of the Utah Defense 2:37 Iowa State's Resilience and Halftime Adjustments 5:31 Big 12 Power Rankings and the Eye Test Utah looked every bit like a Big 12 championship contender in a 31-17 road win over Iowa State. In this instant reaction, John Kurtz breaks down why the Utes continue to pass the eye test, including another huge performance from Wayshawn Parker, the continued growth of Devon Dampier and major improvement from Utah’s defense under Morgan Scalley. Utah built a 24-3 lead, weathered an Iowa State comeback and delivered the decisive score when the Cyclones had a chance to tie the game. We also get into Iowa State’s offensive limitations, Jalen Raynor’s struggles at quarterback and where both teams now fit in the Big 12 race. Is Utah the best team in the Big 12 right now? Are the Utes a legitimate conference championship threat alongside BYU and Texas Tech? Subscribe for college football coverage from all angles, including the Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, playoff race, realignment, NIL, transfer portal and the biggest stories shaping the sport. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsl6CVz6m-c

Send us Fan Mail Baylor beats Colorado 23-13 in Big 12 play, and both teams leave the game with very different questions. For Baylor, the biggest positive was a defense that finally looked capable of carrying its share of the load. DJ Lagway was uneven, but he delivered a huge fourth-quarter touchdown pass after Colorado tied the game, and the Bears found a way to close out an important conference win. For Colorado, the concerns are getting much louder. The Buffaloes are now 2-2, the offense continues to struggle finding consistency, and the quarterback situation between Julian Lewis and Isaac Wilson remains unsettled. Is Colorado headed toward a 3-9 type season, and are the Buffs one of the worst teams in the Big 12? John Kurtz gives his instant reaction to Baylor vs. Colorado, DJ Lagway, Dave Aranda, Julian Lewis, Isaac Wilson and what this result means for both teams moving forward in the Big 12 race. Subscribe to Open For Business for college football coverage from across the country, including the Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, College Football Playoff and the biggest forces reshaping the sport. Join the OFB Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter 0:00 Baylor's Hard-Fought Victory 1:02 The DJ Lagway Experience 2:01 The Gavin Freeman Highlight Reel 5:07 Colorado's Spiraling Season Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDq-NYpWDiU

Send us Fan Mail Texas Tech football is 4-0, but is there a Will Hammond problem? John Kurtz provides an instant reaction to the team's start. The Red Raiders are coming off a 49-14 win against Sam Houston, and while the record looks great, the performance on the field raises questions. We break down the recent victory over Houston and what it says about the team's standing in the conference as the schedule intensifies. This analysis covers the current state of Texas Tech football, specifically looking at quarterback play and consistency. We examine if the early success is sustainable or if there are underlying issues that need to be addressed before the rest of the Big 12 slate gets tougher. It is a critical look at where this team actually sits in the landscape of college football. Subscribe to Open For Business for college football analysis from every angle, including the forces shaping the sport on and off the field. Join the OFB Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyWC0Q2_Ovs

Send us Fan Mail Texas survives Tennessee 20-17 in Knoxville, and the biggest story was not Arch Manning. It was the Longhorns’ dominant defense. Texas overwhelmed true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon with a relentless pass rush, led by Colin Simmons, who finished with five sacks and five tackles for loss. Even after Tennessee scored late and recovered an onside kick, the Texas defensive front took over when the game was on the line. Arch Manning and the Texas offense still left something to be desired, but the Longhorns continue to find ways to win. After beating Ohio State and now surviving an SEC road test at Tennessee, Texas is showing why it has the roster, defense and toughness to be a legitimate national championship contender. John Kurtz reacts to Texas vs. Tennessee, Arch Manning, Colin Simmons, the Longhorns defense, Faizon Brandon and what this win means for Texas moving forward. Subscribe to Open For Business for college football coverage from across the country, including the Big 12, SEC, Big Ten, College Football Playoff and the biggest forces reshaping the sport. Join the OFB Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OFBNewsletter Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWSYX7LEwq4