As the only Power 5 conference without a conference championship game, the Big 12 can often be seen as a league that has a extra hurdle to clear in order to compare resumes with schools from the other conference. And, with only 10 members, the Big 12 also has a lot to make up in terms of revenue.
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According to Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy, Texas and its Longhorn Network are partially to blame.
"If we don't eliminate the Longhorn Network and create our own network, they're going to continue to have issues with this league," said Gundy according to to CBS Sports.
The Longhorn Network has been a complete farce for both Texas and the Big 12. The network has limited reach for total viewership, as the Big 12 has been completely non-compliant with Texas in terms of hosting games against in-conference opponents.
Gundy pointed to the success of the SEC Network and Big Ten Network as proof that the conference would benefit from pooling resources and having their own broadcast network. Not only is Gundy right, but the existence of the Longhorn Network furthers the idea that the conference is nothing more than "Texas and everyone else". Until the Big 12 overcomes that stigma, there is always going to be the belief that Texas could leave the conference, and throw the other nine — well seven, Oklahoma and Kansas football will be fine — teams into disarray.
Hopefully Texas, Gundy, and the Big 12 can figure this out soon enough, as the last thing college football needs right now is upset school presidents and thoughts of further conference realignment.
