This week could define the Big 12 basketball season.

With conference standings tightening, tournament seeding on the line, and résumé-shaping matchups across the league, the next few days may determine who earns a protected seed, who lands on the bubble, and who plays their way out of March entirely. In a conference as deep and unforgiving as the Big 12, one week can swing everything.

At the same time, momentum is building behind the idea of expanding the NCAA Tournament. But is that really good for the sport?

In this episode, we break down why this week is a turning point for the Big 12 — and why expanding the NCAA Tournament would water down the regular season, reward mediocrity, and damage what makes March special in the first place.

High stakes. Real consequences. And a debate that could reshape college basketball.

This week on 1st and 16, we break down why the conference is starting to crack under the weight of mounting injuries and what it means for the rest of the season. With key starters sidelined across multiple programs, depth charts are thinning, playoff hopes are shifting, and the competitive balance is hanging by a thread.

We also zoom out to the bigger picture: why FCS programs are increasingly desperate to jump to the FBS. From media rights money and NIL opportunities to conference realignment chaos and long-term survival, the gap between subdivisions is becoming impossible to ignore. Is moving up a smart investment—or a financial gamble that could backfire?

In this episode, we connect the dots between roster attrition, conference instability, and the evolving economics of college football.

The Big 12 is running college athletics. With three No. 1 seeds in March Madness, the conference has officially planted its flag as a basketball powerhouse. We break down what this means for the national landscape and how the Big 12 separated itself from the pack.

Plus, the rise of TCU — how the Horned Frogs built a legit NCAA Tourney team, what's fueling their momentum, and whether they're here to stay among the top half of the conference.

And in college football, FCS programs are desperately pushing for the jump to FBS. Why now? We dive into the financial stakes, conference realignment pressures, playoff access, and the risks that come with chasing the big stage.

All that and more on this episode of First and 16.

This weekend in the Big 12 was absolute madness.

On this episode of First & 16, we break down the most shocking upsets, buzzer-beaters, blown leads, and statement wins that completely reshaped the Big 12 basketball race. From ranked teams going down to unexpected breakout performances, the conference proved once again why it's the toughest league in college basketball.

We dive into:

• The biggest upset of the weekend

• How the conference standings were shaken up

• Which contenders are legit — and which ones are on upset alert

• Key players who took over when it mattered most

• What this means heading toward March

If you thought Big 12 basketball couldn't get any crazier… think again.

College football is on the brink of another massive change — and not necessarily for the better. With the Big Ten Conference pushing momentum toward an expanded 24-team postseason format following the shift to the 12-team College Football Playoff model, we ask the hard question: is bigger really better?

In this episode, we break down what a 24-team playoff could look like, how automatic bids might reshape conference power, and why expansion risks watering down the regular season — the very thing that makes college football special. We also examine the growing influence of superconferences and whether this model further sidelines programs outside the power structure.

Finally, we argue that the real issue isn't just size — it's governance. Is the current playoff selection committee equipped to fairly evaluate a 24-team field? Or is it time to rethink the entire system and move toward a more transparent, performance-based format?

If you care about tradition, competitive balance, and the integrity of the sport, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In this episode of First and 16, we break down one of the biggest upsets of the college basketball season — No. 9 Kansas stunning No. 1 Arizona 82-78 in Lawrence to snap the Wildcats' undefeated run and leave the AP Top 25 landscape shaking. We'll talk about how this game reshapes the national picture in the poll, what it means for March hopes, and the wider implications for teams jockeying in a crowded top 25. Then we pivot to college football and tackle a growing scheduling controversy: why non-conference games slated a decade in advance are hurting the sport and how moving toward a nearer-term scheduling model could improve competitive balance, fan interest, and flexibility around conference realignment. This episode blends high-stakes hoops with big-picture gridiron strategy.

This week's show breaks down the latest college football expansion news — including the Pac-12's rebuild with Texas State and the wider realignment landscape that could impact future playoff structures — followed by a Big 12 hoops roundup. We highlight key weekend games such as Arizona's historic 84-47 win and Iowa State's narrow excape at home, then analyze how those results are shaping the NCAA Tournament bubble and bracket projections. Stay tuned for expert insight and a closer look at what these developments mean for fans of both football and basketball

This episode of First and 16 tackles a rare point of agreement with the SEC and Greg Sankey on player eligibility, breaks down the fallout from the anti-BYU chants and what it says about fan behavior, and wraps with a preview of this weekend's college basketball slate and where things stand across the state. Plenty of opinions, context, and a look ahead at what to watch.