Big 12 fans, you’ve got a reason to smile. The College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee just welcomed back Jeff Long after a long time, the guy who ran things at Kansas as their athletic director for years. He’s one of two new faces on the committee, and his comeback is big news for anyone rooting for the Big 12. His direction and experience help a lot with (CFP).
If you know college football, you know Jeff Long. He’s not some random administrator—he’s been in the CFP trenches before, helping pick playoff teams in the early years. Now he’s back, bringing a sharp mind and a deep understanding of the game at a time when the playoffs is getting bigger and the sport feels like it’s changing every week, and knocking out all the opponents.
One more legend was introduced to their team. The other new member is Mark Harlan, who’s calling the shots as Utah’s athletic director. He’s a solid addition, but let’s be real: for Big 12 folks, Long is the headliner. He’s got the conference in his blood, and that means the Big 12’s teams—whether they’re heavyweights or up-and-comers—will have someone in the room fighting for them when the committee decides who makes the playoff.
Picking the playoff teams is no walk in the park. The committee has to dig into everything: wins, losses, who you played, how tough your schedule was, and all the little details that make fans argue for hours. With the playoff expanding and conferences shaking things up, the job’s only getting harder. Long’s been through it before, and Harlan brings a fresh set of eyes—together, they’re a good mix for tackling the mess.
For the Big 12, this feels like a win. The conference has its share of powerhouses and scrappy teams ready to make some noise. Long being on the committee means the Big 12 won’t get overlooked when the big decisions get made. He knows the league’s strengths and won’t let them be ignored.
With the season creeping up, the committee’s work is about to take center stage. For Big 12 fans, knowing Jeff Long’s got a seat at the table makes this year’s race feel a little more electric.
Overall, it’s interesting to see whether their team improves after these changes. The future is so unpredictable. No one can predict the future, but this is the most interesting thing about it.
