According to a report by Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger, the Big 12 conference has made a significant change to its football schedule as part of the new media rights deal running through 2031. The conference will now play football games on weekdays, including Friday nights.
The announcement of the agreement execution between the Big 12 and ESPN and FOX on Friday solidified the new deal, which will be in effect until the 2030-31 season.
This move to play games on weekdays aligns with Commissioner Brett Yormark’s progressive vision for the conference. Yormark, who took over as commissioner last summer, has been actively pushing the boundaries of what the Big 12 can achieve and has been forward-thinking in his approach.
It is important to note that the Big 12’s decision to play games on Friday nights will encroach on a television window that has traditionally been dominated by the Pac-12 conference.
While this move may not be a direct tactic to undermine the Pac-12’s success, it could have that effect. The Big 12 likely sees an opportunity to provide a more enticing product on Friday nights compared to the Pac-12, potentially making it the sole conference playing during that time slot in the near future.
The participants for the 2023 Big 12 Football Media Days presented by Old Trapper have been announced. This two-day event will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on July 12 and July 13. The media days will feature student-athletes from each Big 12 school, along with their respective head coaches.
On July 12, the following teams will be present: Baylor, BYU, Houston, Kansas, Oklahoma State, TCU, and Texas. And on July 13, UCF, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and West Virginia will take the stage.
Here are the player attendees from each school:
Baylor:
- QB Blake Shapen
- TE Drake Dabney
- WR Josh Cameron
- DL TJ Franklin
- LB Mike Smith Jr.
BYU:
- QB Kedon Slovis
- WR Kody Epps
- LB Ben Bywater
- DE Tyler Batty
- P Ryan Rehkow
UCF:
- WR Javon Baker
- DT Ricky Barber
- QB John Rhys Plumlee
- DE Josh Celiscar
- OL Lokahi Pauole
Cincinnati:
- QB Emory Jones
- DB Deshawn Pace
- DL Jowon Briggs
- DL Dontay Corleone
Houston:
- DL Nelson Ceaser
- OL Jack Freeman
- LB Hasaan Hypolite
- OL Patrick Paul
Iowa State:
- WR Jaylin Noel
- DB Beau Freyler
- DB T.J. Tampa
- LB Gerry Vaughn
Kansas:
- QB Jalon Daniels
- RB Devin Neal
- LB Rich Miller
- S Kenny Logan Jr.
Kansas State:
- QB Will Howard
- OL Cooper Beebe
- LB Daniel Green
- S Kobe Savage
Oklahoma:
- QB Dillon Gabriel
- WR Drake Stoops
- DL Jonah Laulu
- LB Danny Stutsman
Oklahoma State:
- LB Collin Oliver
- CB Korie Black
- WR Brennan Presley
- OL Preston Wilson
TCU:
- S Bud Clark
- OL Brandon Coleman
- LB Jamoi Hodge
- CB Josh Newton
- TE Jared Wiley
Texas:
- QB Quinn Ewers
- WR Jordan Whittington
- WR Xavier Worthy
- LB Jaylan Ford
- DB Jahdae Barron
Texas Tech:
- QB Tyler Shough
- WR Jerand Bradley
- RB Tahj Brooks
- DL Tony Bradford Jr.
- DL Jaylon Hutchings
West Virginia:
- OL Zach Frazier
- OL Doug Nester
- DL Sean Martin
- LB Lee Kpogba
- DB Aubrey Burks
ESPNU and Big 12 Now on ESPN+ will provide television coverage, starting at Noon CT on Wednesday and 8:30 a.m. CT on Thursday, allowing fans to follow the event.