There were constant rumors about Oklahoma and Texas potentially leaving the Big 12 for the SEC by 2025. The Big 12 admin are still befuddled by the situation and are working hard to keep the two and sign them to a big deal as well if it comes to it. Whether or not it’s true, it caused uncertainty for the Big 12 itself. There’s also speculation on whether the conference will expand or dissolve altogether. This would be as big of a deal as the Big East conference dissolving a few years ago. We will see what happens in the next few weeks or so.
Here is Ross Dellenger’s tweet on Texas A&M AD Ross Bjork’s opinion of Texas and Oklahoma’s move to the SEC:
I’m slowly locking up teams but still deciding on the rest of the teams. I’m down to two for some but the rest involve more than two. I should have my decision made for the rest of the teams within the next two weeks. Cross my fingers that there’s no other pandemic and the vaccination requirement controversy doesn’t go into this season either.
LOCKS
LIBERTY
They have a fairly easy schedule and return 20 plus starters this season. That should lead the Flames to their first back-to-back 10-win season for the first time since joining the conference and in program history. Coach Hugh Freeze did what former coach Danny Rocco did back in 2007 and 2008, win eight games and follow up with 10 the next season. However, Freeze did it in his first two seasons with the Flames. They could potentially start the season 9-0 before November, when they head to Freeze’s former stomping ground at Ole Miss and finish up at home against Louisiana and Army. Back-to-back road games at Syracuse and UAB are a little tricky, but it’s winnable as long as quarterback Malik Willis is leading the team.
NEW TEAMS CONSIDERED
FRESNO STATE (MWC WEST)
Fresno State is rising and could find themselves contending for the division title. Their offense should be better with a full offseason and quarterback Jake Haener should be more improved. The addition of linebacker Tyson Maeva (transfer from Boise State and FIU) could bolster the defense that’s in need of improvement. Although Nevada is favored to win the division and San Jose State is right behind them, the Bulldogs will be formidable and a tough out.
KENT STATE (AT-LARGE)
It’s hard to not consider Kent State as contenders for the East division. In one offseason, former Buffalo coach Lance Leipold leaves for Kansas and Ohio coach Frank Solich retires after 16 years. Buffalo is likely to drop after losing him, running back Jaret Patterson, and a few more players to the transfer portal. Miami (OH) is likely to step forward with the majority of experience returning, but they’re likely to start the season 1-3 in non-conference play and their road games are against formidable opponents, including Kent State. All of those scenarios should put the Golden Flashers in prime position. In 2019, they lost to three MAC teams by seven points or less (Ohio, Miami of Ohio, Toledo). They could play like their 2019 selves with improvements and a potential NFL quarterback in Dustin Crum.
CURRENT UNDERRATED TEAMS
AAC – TULANE
ACC – VIRGINIA (COASTAL), NC STATE (ATLANTIC)
BIG TEN – IOWA (WEST), MARYLAND (EAST)
BIG 12 – OKLAHOMA, TCU
C-USA – MID TENN (EAST), RICE (WEST)
MAC – MIAMI OF OHIO (EAST), WESTERN MICHIGAN (WEST)
MOUNTAIN WEST – COLORADO STATE (EAST)
PAC-12 – UCLA (SOUTH), WASHINGTON (NORTH)
SEC – OLE MISS (WEST), KENTUCKY (EAST)
SUN BELT – LOUISIANA (WEST), GEORGIA SOUTHERN (EAST)
AT-LARGE – WEST VIRGINIA, SMU
THE UNDERRATED TEAM
EAST CAROLINA (AAC)
LIBERTY (INDEPENDENT)
The Wolf's Cave 
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