Big 12 Preview: Deion’s Rebound Season, McGuire’s Prove-It Year & Dillingham’s Blueprint

Big 12 Preview: Deion’s Rebound Season, McGuire’s Prove-It Year & Dillingham’s Blueprint

Author: The Athletic August 11, 2026 Duration: 1:06:49

The Big 12 is potentially the most wide-open and chaotic conference in college football, and we are breaking down every single contender, dark horse, and spoiler. Stew, Bruce, and Ralph look at Colorado's overhauled roster to see if Deion Sanders has the lines of scrimmage fixed enough to spark a massive rebound season after last year's frustrating 3-9 collapse. Then, they head to Lubbock to debate if Joey McGuire is finally ready to push Texas Tech to the very top of college football. Plus, the guys dissect Kenny Dillingham's developmental blueprint at Arizona State and see if the Sun Devils can shock the oddsmakers.


But the chaos doesn’t stop there. We run through over/under win totals and major storylines for all 16 teams navigating massive coaching changes across the country. Can the Utah Utes maintain their standard in a new era, or will Avery Johnson and Kansas State steal the crown? We check in on Lance Leipold’s Kansas squad, and discuss how Iowa State retools after a major offseason shift. Finally, we analyze the schematic changes for programs like Brent Brennan's Arizona Wildcats, Scott Frost's second year at UCF, and Scott Satterfield's high-stakes pivotal year with the Cincinnati Bearcats.


Timestamps


0:00 - Intro

1:45 - Texas Tech

5:42 - BYU

10:37 - Utah

13:05 - Kansas State

15:52 - Houston

19:58 - Texas Tech versus the field

23:11 - Arizona

25:14 - TCU

27:34 - Arizona State

29:26 - Kenny Dillingham’s future?

33:17 - Colorado

36:08 - Will Deion will be the coach in 2027?

38:04 - Baylor

40:27 - Kansas

43:41 - Cincinnati

45:54 - Wildcards

46:03 - Oklahoma State

49:22 - West Virginia

50:50 - Iowa State

52:28 - UCF

55:09 - Mailbag



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For anyone who lives and breathes college football, the weekly conversation happening on The Audible with Stew, Bruce & Ralph is essential. This isn't just a recap of last Saturday's scores; it's where the sport's narrative gets unpacked by three of its most connected and seasoned voices. Bruce Feldman, Stewart Mandel, and Ralph Russo bring a combined depth of experience that cuts through the noise, offering clarity on everything from coaching changes and playoff implications to the evolving landscape of conferences and recruiting. Their access is a key part of the podcast, featuring candid interviews with coaches, players, and insiders you won't hear elsewhere. Whether it's the frenzy of National Signing Day, the weekly drama of the regular season, or the road to the National Championship, they provide a consistent, intelligent, and often entertaining analysis that follows the sport's endless calendar. Presented by The Athletic, this show delivers the kind of substantive discussion and forward-looking insight that true fans rely on, making it a staple for those who want to go deeper than the headlines.
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The Audible with Stew, Bruce & Ralph: A show about college football
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