Big 12 Men’s Sports: Where Grit Meets Greatness

If there’s one way to sum up Big 12 men’s sports right now, it’s this: fast, physical, and absolutely full of surprises. Whether you’re glued to the madness on the gridiron, the grind on the hardwood, or even the calm precision of a golf green, this conference gives you a little bit of everything and then some.

Let’s kick things off with football, because let’s be honest, fall Saturdays in the Big 12 are their own kind of religion.

2025 is shaping up to be one of the wildest seasons yet. There’s no clear-cut favorite. Kansas State is turning heads with Avery Johnson under center, a dual-threat QB who can burn you deep or bolt 60 yards with his legs. He’s fearless, raw, and just plain fun to watch. But Arizona State? They’re not ready to hand over the crown. After clinching the Big 12 title last season, they’ve got the swagger of a team that knows exactly how to win the big games.

Then there’s Texas Tech, which pretty much won the transfer portal lottery this offseason. Their roster is stacked with dudes who’ve been around the block and are ready to make a statement. Utah and BYU, meanwhile, are still adjusting to Big 12 play, but don’t sleep on them. Both have tough, physical defenses and coaching staffs who know how to rally a team late in the season.

Basketball? Yeah, that’s a whole other beast.

The Big 12 is still king when it comes to hoops. Even with all the chaos of realignment, the conference somehow got better. Kansas is always in the conversation—they’re blueblood for a reason, but it’s not just about them anymore. Baylor, Houston, and even Iowa State are building something serious. The conference is deep, stacked with NBA-caliber talent and hard-nosed defense. Every night feels like a Final Four preview.

And hey, if you’re a sucker for buzzer beaters and stormed courts, the Big 12 delivers more than its fair share. One night it’s a freshman dropping 30 in his first conference start. The next? A senior walk-on hits a game-winner in front of a packed house. It’s chaos, it’s glorious, and it’s must-watch TV.

But Big 12 men’s sports aren’t just football and hoops, far from it.

Let’s talk about baseball. Oklahoma State’s been making serious postseason noise lately. After a shaky start in 2024, they surged through the regionals with dramatic walk-offs and a deep bullpen that somehow always shows up when it matters. Kansas isn’t far behind either. Under Coach Dan Fitzgerald, the Jayhawks just wrapped up their best season in years and might be hosting a regional if things fall their way. TCU? Perennial threat. Texas Tech? Dangerous when hot. There’s no “easy out” in Big 12 baseball anymore.

And then there’s golf. Oh yeah Oklahoma State just casually won the NCAA men’s golf championship again. That makes 12 national titles for the Cowboys. Eric Lee sealed it with a nerve-wracking birdie on 18, and if you’ve never watched golf with your heart pounding in your throat, that match against Virginia was the one to start with. The Big 12 has quietly built one of the deepest pools of talent in college golf between OSU, Texas Tech, Arizona State, and BYU. They keep sending future pros out into the world.

What ties all of this together? Identity. That gritty, underdog, punch-above-your-weight mentality.

The Big 12 doesn’t have the budget flex of the SEC or the media spotlight of the Big Ten, but they do have something that’s honestly more fun – unpredictability. One week, your team’s ranked No. 12 and rolling. The next? They get stunned by a scrappy squad from Ames or Morgantown. It’s just how the conference rolls. Every win feels earned. Every loss stings for weeks.

And let’s be real, the fans make it even better. From the blackout nights in Lubbock to the sea of crimson in Norman, the Big 12 has some of the most passionate, borderline unhinged (in the best way) fan bases in the country. You feel the energy, whether it’s a weekday baseball game or a primetime football showdown under the lights.

So yeah, Big 12 men’s sports are in a pretty good place. Scratch that, they’re in a great place.

There’s talent, there’s tradition, and more than anything, there’s a fire that doesn’t quit. Whether it’s a title chase, a rivalry rematch, or some freshman nobody saw coming, lighting it up, the Big 12 is where stories are written and rewritten every single week.