Popular sports columnist Berry Tramel recently discussed the newly reconstituted Big 12 Conference, acknowledging that it has changed significantly over the years. The conference, which now spans from Utah to Florida, includes schools like Arizona, Colorado, and Utah, as well as old Big Eight and Southwest Conference remnants. Despite recent changes, Tramel is optimistic about the conference’s future and believes that the level playing field created by similar resources for all schools will make for a more competitive conference.
Tramel praised commissioner Brett Yormark for his aggressive leadership and marketing strategies, which have garnered support from schools in the Heartland. Yormark’s efforts to strengthen the Big 12 and close the revenue gap with the SEC and Big Ten have been well-received by conference members.
Tramel highlighted the passionate football fan bases in Big 12 schools like Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Kansas State, Texas Tech, and West Virginia, emphasizing the importance of maintaining that passion. He also stressed the need for newer conference teams like Utah, BYU, Cincinnati, and Central Florida to generate similar enthusiasm to enhance the overall fan experience.
Looking ahead, Tramel suggested revisiting scheduling strategies within the conference to build more regional rivalries and enhance the fan experience. He pointed out the success of the Big Ten’s approach to scheduling based on existing rivalries and regional matchups. Tramel believes that focusing on regional scheduling and building on the core strengths of the conference will help the Big 12 continue to thrive and remain competitive.
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