Heartland College Sports: The Big 12 Sports Podcast

College football is officially back! Pete Mundo gets you ready for Week 0 with a full preview and prediction for TCU vs. North Carolina, as the Horned Frogs get the Big 12 season underway.

Pete breaks down the biggest questions surrounding TCU, what to expect from UNC, the latest betting trends and his prediction for the game.

Plus, we go around the rest of the Week 0 college football slate, including Memphis vs. UNLV, potential College Football Playoff implications, future Big 12 opponents to watch and the other games and storylines that could matter to Big 12 fans as the 2026...

In this week's Big 12 football mailbag, Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo answers all your top questions as Week 0 is here! The top question: Who are the Big 12 football Heisman Trophy dark horses to keep an eye on?!

Mundo also answers your questions about coaches on the hot seat, wild Big 12 Championship game predictions, Week 0 games and much more!

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You can make your own game-by-game predictions here for the BIG 12: https://big12ology.com/tiebreaker/lab.html

The 2026 Big 12 football season is almost here, which means it's time to lock in FINAL predictions.

Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo goes through his complete Big 12 standings from top to bottom — and things get wild with a FOUR-WAY tie for second place and an appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game.

Who wins the conference? Which contenders fall short? And which teams could surprise everyone in 2026?

Plus, Pete makes his picks for the Big 12's biggest individual awards, including Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and mo...

Is the Big 12 really Texas Tech and everybody else in 2026? Not so fast.

CBS Sports and Cover 3 Podcast's Chip Patterson joins Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo to preview the 2026 Big 12 football season, and he believes the conference's top tier includes more than just the defending champion Texas Tech Red Raiders.

They discuss which teams could challenge the favorite, the biggest questions surrounding the conference, coaches facing pressure, and which team could finish at the bottom of the Big 12.

🏈 Is Texas Tech really the team to beat?

🔥 Which teams could surprise in 2026?

🪑...

The Preseason College Football AP Poll dropped on Monday, and Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo explains why the voters are set to be WRONG again about the Big 12 Conference. However, it may not even be their fault!

The dark horses from the Big 12 Conference in 2026 will be WHO? What do the odds say? We look at wild scenarios for this conference and how the season could end up playing out that would shock college football. We take more of your questions and thoughts as we get set for the start of college football!

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The first month of the 2026 college football season could tell us EVERYTHING about the Big 12.

Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo breaks down the 10 games that will define September for the conference, from huge non-conference opportunities to early Big 12 matchups that could completely change the championship race.

Which teams have the most to gain? Which games could damage the Big 12 nationally? And which contenders could see their season take a major turn before October even arrives?

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The betting markets are starting to paint a fascinating picture of the 2026 Big 12 football season.

DraftKings Sportsbook Director Johnny Avello joins Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo to break down the latest Big 12 odds, including conference championship favorites, season win totals, College Football Playoff odds and some teams that might be getting overlooked by bettors.

Which Big 12 teams are attracting the most attention? Where could there be value in the win totals? And what do the odds tell us about a conference that could have one of the deepest and most unpredictable races in college football?<...

Joey McGuire says Texas Tech is embracing its role as one of the most hated teams in college football — and that might be exactly what the Big 12 needs.

In this week’s Heartland College Sports LIVE Mailbag, Pete Mundo explains why the Red Raiders becoming the conference villain could actually be GOOD for the Big 12. Every great league needs teams that fans love to hate, and with Texas and Oklahoma gone, Texas Tech might be ready to fill that role.

Plus, we dive into your questions and comments as the 2026 Big 12 football season gets closer.

When will each BIG 12 football team LOSE its first game of the 2026 college football season?!

Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo predicts the FIRST loss for all 16 Big 12 teams, with an in-depth explanation as to why every team is poised to drop a game along the way. The question is: Will it be Week 1? November? Will any team get to the Big 12 Championship Game or CFP without a loss?

Mundo runs down every team in the league from start to finish.

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In this week's episode of Winners & Losers, Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo runs down his list of 3 winners and 3 losers from the last week in the Big 12 Conference.

From the preseason college football coaches poll to scheduling conflicts, one Big 12 team getting ripped as "too small" and preseason lists for the Big 12, we cover it all in this episode!

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In this episode, Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo is joined by Pick Six Previews' Brett Ciancia to look at the upcoming Big 12 football season as they discuss the unpredictability of this fall and why the conference is so unpredictable, especially in the middle.

Which coaches are on the hot seat? Which second-year coaches can turn themselves into contenders? Is there a first-year coach ready to shock the league?

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IF the Big 12 can only add THREE future teams under the proposed Protect College Sports Act, WHO would you add? Memphis? Boise State? UConn? USF? Someone else?

Join Pete Mundo and Heartland College Sports as we break down the best expansion candidates, what each school brings to the conference, and how the future of the Big 12 could be shaped by the latest developments in college athletics.

✅ Best expansion candidates

✅ Impact of the Protect College Sports Act

✅ Ranking Big 12 Quarterbacks

✅ Will a Coach Get Fired Before Week 7?

Those topics a...

The Big 12 and the Big Ten need each other, but if we're being honest, the Big 12 needs the Big Ten even more to fight the college football narrative being pushed HARD by the SEC, and it's TV partner, ESPN.

Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo explains how this ties into the ESPN FPI Strength of Schedule rankings, and the recent movement with the Protect College Sports Act.

Plus, WHICH Big 12 team is the most valuable, according to The Athletic? Mundo explains what surprised him on the list.

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In this edition of Ag Spotlight, Pete Mundo sits down with longtime livestock and meat industry leader Rob Shuey, a distinguished Oklahoma State agricultural alumnus with more than 40 years of experience in the business.

Rob discusses how agriculture continues to shape Big 12 country, the importance of ranching and livestock production to rural communities, and why the future of the meat industry remains bright.

The conversation also dives into one of the most overlooked forms of competition in college sports: livestock and meat judging. From Oklahoma State's national success to...

Is the Big 12 entering its deepest and most competitive season in years? Pete Mundo is joined by College Football News' Pete Fiutak to break down the biggest storylines heading into the 2026 Big 12 football season.

The conversation covers whether Texas Tech has separated itself from the rest of the conference, the league's top coaches and championship contenders, College Football Playoff expectations, and why the conference may be stronger from top to bottom than it's been in years.

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Every Big 12 team has one game on its schedule that could change everything. It may not be the toughest matchup of the season, but it's the game that could shock the team's season.

In this Heartland College Sports episode, Pete Mundo identifies the ONE game every Big 12 program might be overlooking.

Subscribe if you're sick of the SEC and Big Ten bias in college football media, and are for more BIG 12 football coverage in 2026!

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In this Heartland College Sports episode, Pete Mundo explains why the SEC just had its worst week in years, and why the league is now using excuses it would have never fathomed using just a few short years ago.

From commissioner Greg Sankey, to Lane Kiffin, to ESPN "analyst" Nick Saban, the conference had a DUD of an SEC Media Days.

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In this Heartland College Sports interview, Pete Mundo is joined by Big 12 Radio host Ari Temkin to discuss one of the biggest questions facing the conference after Big 12 Media Days: is the league still as united as it was after expanding to 16 teams? From Brett Yormark's leadership to the changing priorities of individual schools, they break down whether cracks are beginning to show across the conference.

Pete and Ari also discuss Yormark's evolving role, whether his honeymoon period as commissioner has come to an end, and what it all could mean for the future...

In this Heartland College Sports video, Pete Mundo reacts to the latest comments coming out of SEC Media Days and the growing debate over the future of the NCAA. As the SEC pushes for more control over college athletics, some are pointing the finger at the Big 12 and other conferences for standing in the way. But is that criticism fair, or is the SEC trying to rewrite the narrative?

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Is this the PERFECT Big 12 football road trip for the 2026 college football season?!

Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo runs down his DREAM Big 12 football road trip for the 2026 season, but with ONE CAVEAT: He can't go to every single stadium. And he only goes to each stadium once. Who gets cut?

Let us know what you think in the comments!

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In this week's BIG 12 WINNERS & LOSERS, Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo explains why a new Texas Tribune report is NOT a good look for Cody Campbell and Texas Tech. What is the Big 12 fallout from it?

Plus, we look at teams with older players, who end up as BIG winners this week. And what other conference ended up a winner?

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Sean Dillon became one of the biggest stories to come out of Big 12 Media Days after his question to Commissioner Brett Yormark sparked a wave of reactions across college football. But in this Heartland College Sports interview, Sean explains what was really going through his mind, why he asked the question, and why he never expected the moment to go viral.

Pete Mundo sits down with Sean to discuss the aftermath of that exchange, the reaction from fans and media, and what it was like to suddenly become part of one of the most...

In this Heartland College Sports episode, Pete Mundo explains what's REALLY going on with these strange Texas Tech - ACC rumors. What do Big 12 fans need to know as to what it means to the future of the conference.

Plus, Mundo answers your questions about whether or not the BIG 12 is loved or hated, a wild realignment idea sends Mundo off the deep end (for the better?), plus, Pete has to defend his BIG 12 brand rankings, along with conversations around Dave Aranda's future, the top tier of the Big 12 Conference, and a personal question...

In this episode on Heartland College Sports, Pete Mundo explains why ESPN's latest FPI preseason rankings once again leave the Big 12 on the short end of the stick. Are the rankings simply flawed, or do they continue to favor the SEC while overlooking one of college football's deepest conferences?

Pete also discusses whether BYU has quietly become the Big 12's strongest national brand, breaks down the conference's surprisingly strong recruiting rankings for 2027 class, and explains why the current top five may not be what most fans expected heading into the 2026 season.

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In this week's Winners & Losers show, Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo runs down the Top 3 winners and Top 3 losers of the week in the Big 12 Conference.

Which side was Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark on? How about the WILD anonymous Big 12 coaches poll for the 2026 season? Who else made the list?!

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After Day 2 of Big 12 Football Media Days, Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo explains why the Big 12 is fighting like it hasn't since it expanded to 16 teams.

What does it mean for the conference going forward? Who is right?

Also, Mundo reacts to more of the top storylines from Day 2 of media days!

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Day 1 of Big 12 Football Media Days was awkward for commissioner Brett Yormark, who stole the show, but not necessarily in a good way for the conference.

The press conference was combative at times, awkward at others, and Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo came away frustrated for ALL parties involved.

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What is the #1 question for every Big 12 football coach this year? Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo runs down one question for each coach in the league. Hot seats, coaching changes and player turnover all discussed and on the list!

PLUS, get your top questions in for the BIG 12 mailbag: Which team will have the BIGGEST turnaround? WHO should pay legal fees between the BIG 12 vs. Texas Tech? Can Cincinnati be relevant again? Also, what is the best Big 12 football championship game match up for TV ratings?

If you're SICK...

It's the unofficial start of the Big 12 football season with Media Days taking place this week in Frisco, Texas. And Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo gives you the TOP 5 storylines that the conference CANNOT avoid talking about this week.

From new head coaches, to who is on the hot seat, possible expansion and much more!

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In this week's Winners & Losers episode, Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo gives you three winners and three losers, headlined by the Big Ten and SEC trying to hang onto their control on college football.

Also, which programs are trending UP this week on the recruiting trail, and who might be losing its grip?!

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As we get set for the 2026 college football season, who is the best coach in the Big 12 Conference? Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo goes through the thankless task of ranking the Big 12 coaches from No. 16 to No. 1, worst to first. What could go wrong?

PLUS, your BIG 12 questions on if the BIG 12 can keep up with recruiting, Texas Tech's PR hit, and is a certain Big 12 team being overrated going into 2026?!

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A sports media expert has brought up the Big Ten's most recent target possibly being the Utah Utes. But is that the best move for Utah, and how should Big 12 fans react to this report? Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo discusses what it means for both sides.

Also, the #1 recruit of 2027, Jalen Brewster, may be taking his talents away from the Big 12, to the SEC. What do we know and what is the latest in his recruiting process? Plus, what other teams had big recruiting weekends?

Lastly, when we look at returning production in the...

After a wild week of offseason college football and basketball storylines, Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo runs down the Winners & Losers from the week that was.

Brendan Sorsby lost BIG this week, and he needs to just QUIT while he's ahead, but the Big 12 basketball teams had a HUGE night at the NBA Draft, and one team had a great football recruiting week, and another had a BAD one. Mundo gives you three winners and three losers from the week that was!

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In a wide-ranging Big 12 interview, Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo is joined by David Smoak from 365Sports to talk about the Big 12 Conference's past, present and future heading into the 2026 season. Does this league need a villain or is it better off with just extreme parity?

Plus, they tackle the top off-season storylines across the conference, along with who's seat is already hot before the season gets underway!

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Big 12 win totals are out, and Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo has a few that he simply can't believe.

Before diving into your questions, Pete breaks down three Big 12 win totals he's buying and three he's fading heading into the 2026 college football season. Which teams are being overrated? Which programs are being overlooked?

Plus, your questions from around the Big 12 in this week's Monday Night Mailbag including conference favoritism, Playoff odds for the Big 12 and more!

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Everyone knows the Big 12 favorites heading into 2026. But every season, this conference produces a team that nobody saw coming.

In this episode, Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo breaks down five Big 12 football teams that could shock everyone in 2026. Which programs are flying under the radar? Which teams have the talent, schedule, and opportunity to exceed expectations? And which one could emerge as a legitimate contender in the conference race?

Plus, Pete touches on the latest developments as the Big 12 is going after Texas Tech for legal fees? Why?!

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After a wild week of offseason college football storylines, Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo runs down the Winners & Losers from the week that was.

The SEC and BIG Ten lost BIG, courtesy of Congress and the Protect College Sports Act, while Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark was a BIG winner. Mundo explains why, while giving you three winners and three losers from the week that was!

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Tim Brando says the SEC and Big Ten spent years pushing for federal involvement in college sports. Now that Congress is moving forward with legislation they may not fully control, suddenly they're not interested.

Brando joins Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo to discuss the Protect College Sports Act advancing toward a full vote in the U.S. Senate, why the power conferences are changing their tune, and what it could mean for the future of college athletics.

Plus, Brando reacts to the Brendan Sorsby-Texas Tech split, what it means...

Why does West Texas continue to thrive and what role does ranching really play in it?

In this Ag Spotlight, a new feature from Heartland College Sports, Pete Mundo sits down with Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association's Peyton Schumann to break down the biggest challenges facing ranchers today, the importance of the cattle industry, and why agriculture remains a driving force across Big 12 country.

We also dive into the cultural side of the industry — including how shows like Yellowstone (and others like Landman) have influenced interest in ranching, land ow...

After threats and legal blowback, Brendan Sorsby and Texas Tech have parted ways. How did it all go down and what happens next?!

Who are the new contenders in the BIG 12? How is the league's race shaking up now?

Heartland College Sports' Pete Mundo answers, that, plus the REST of your questions on our BIG 12 mailbag LIVE Q&A!

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