Red Raiders Targeted: Can BYU & Bear Bachmeier TOPPLE Texas Tech's Big 12 Dominance? | Who Else Contends in 2026? | Will Big 12 Get Multiple CFP Bids? | Locked On Crossover

The BYU Cougars have positioned themselves as Texas Tech’s primary threat atop the Big 12, but can Bear Bachmeier deliver a season for the ages and dethrone the defending champs? Locked On hosts Spencer McLaughlin, Jake Hatch, and Christian Rauh debate whether BYU’s roster—coming off a 12-2 mark and led by Bachmeier’s dynamic quarterback play—has the staying power to challenge the Red Raiders, especially with offseason turmoil surrounding Parker Kingston. The conversation dives into the emergence of Houston Cougars under head coach Willie Fritz and the upside of their veteran-laden lineup led by Connor Weigman. Utah is pegged by some as a potential stumbling giant, with questions swirling around their trench play and the departure of long-time coach Kyle Whittingham, while others see Morgan Scalley’s disciplined squad—returning standout QB Devon Dampier—as firm contenders if their lines hold up. Roster moves, transfer impacts, and coaching transitions fuel speculation on breakout candidates, with Kansas State’s transfer portal success and Avery Johnson’s ceiling under new offensive coordinator Sean Gleason at the forefront. The hosts discuss Oklahoma State’s culture reboot under Erik Morris, pondering whether quarterback Drew Mestemaker can ignite a dramatic turnaround in Stillwater. Crucial non-conference clashes like BYU vs. Notre Dame and early SEC showdowns for Utah, Texas Tech, and others loom large, as the Big 12’s national narrative hinges on not just competing, but winning marquee games. Can Big 12 teams reverse poor non-conference showings from last season and sway College Football Playoff committee perceptions? The stakes are high as the league battles to put multiple teams into the expanded 12-team playoff field. The episode spotlights the conference’s quarterback hierarchy, with Bachmeier, Wegman, Brendan Sorsby, and Johnson all in the mix for top honors. Is Texas Tech’s Sorsby the piece that delivers back-to-back titles, or does BYU’s “Bear looking like a Grizzly” leap to the Heisman conversation? With parity rampant across the league, the only guarantee is chaos as dark horse contenders look to disrupt the Big 12 power structure. Don’t miss this fast-paced breakdown of key players, matchups, and storylines that will define the next Big 12 football season.