BIG 12 FINALE: REDEMPTION STORIES & CHAMPIONSHIP DREAMS

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IN THIS ISSUE

Welcome, especially new subscribers, to Coaches Hot Seat Insider.

Here's the truth about college football: It's a massive ecosystem that never sleeps.

But you know what? You don't have to sacrifice your entire life to stay informed.

My friend Rich is a 3rd-grade teacher and die-hard fan who barely has time to breathe between lesson plans, let alone consume every article about his favorite teams. That's precisely why we created this newsletter.

We've designed this specifically for people like Rich—quick, skimmable takes on what matters right now, with links to deeper analysis if you want to explore a specific team or topic further. There is no fluff, and no wasted time.

Consider this your competitive advantage: staying in the college football conversation without the 10-hour weekend commitment.

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Here’s what we’ve got for you this week:

Best Links

• Trump plans special commission on college athletics

• Kirk Ferentz on the most challenging part of the new college football world. Hint: it isn’t the NIL or transfer portal.

• Akron faces a postseason ban for academic issues. (Honestly, Akron, why bother?)

Deep Dives

We round out our comprehensive Big 12 conference analysis with five final powerhouse programs.

• Utah's mountain-tough defense and evolving offensive identity under Kyle Whittingham

• Iowa State's quest to build on Matt Campbell's consistent success model

• West Virginia's strategic adjustments in the post-Neal Brown era

• Colorado's continued rebuild with Coach Prime and the spotlight on Boulder

• Kansas State's proven formula for sustainable success in Manhattan

Don't miss these final deep dives as we complete our journey through one of college football's most competitive conferences.

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DEEP DIVE

Big 12 Deep Dives: Championship Dreams and Redemption Stories

As we complete our tour through the Big 12 conference's landscape for 2025, this week's Deep Dives spotlight five programs at fascinating crossroads. From Utah's quest for redemption after a season derailed by unprecedented quarterback injuries to Iowa State's challenge of sustaining their historic success, these stories capture the essence of college football's perpetual cycle of rebuilding and breakthrough. Rich Rodriguez returns to West Virginia seeking to recapture past glory, Colorado faces life after their superstar duo departed for the NFL, and Kansas State quietly assembles what might be the conference's most complete championship contender. Each program carries its compelling narrative into a season where the revamped Big 12 appears more wide open than ever. Dive deeper into each team's outlook with our comprehensive analysis below.

Utah Football: From Rock Bottom to Potential Redemption

After a disastrous 5-7 season that broke Kyle Whittingham's 22-year streak of success at Utah, the program is poised for a dramatic comeback in 2025 with significant roster improvements through the transfer portal.

• The 2024 season collapsed when the team lost five quarterbacks to injury. This resulted in abysmal offensive statistics despite having the 12th-ranked scoring defense nationally.

• Utah has rebuilt through the transfer portal, adding key players like quarterback Devon Dampier from New Mexico and building what 247Sports ranks as the #6 running back room in America.

• Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, designated as "head coach in waiting," has added several four-star recruits and high-profile transfers to strengthen an already elite defense.

• The 2025 schedule favors Utah with no back-to-back road trips and their toughest conference games at home in Rice-Eccles Stadium.

• Instead of a projected 4-8 or 6-6 season, we calculate that a healthy quarterback, elite running game, top-15 defense, and favorable schedule could result in a 9-3 record and Big 12 Championship Game appearance.

The 2025 season represents a critical juncture for 65-year-old Hall of Fame coach Kyle Whittingham, who must decide between retirement or using this opportunity to rebuild his legacy through one final masterpiece.

Iowa State Football: Building on Historic Success

Following their best season in school history, which included 11 wins, a Big 12 Championship Game appearance, and a Pop-Tarts Bowl victory, the Iowa State Cyclones will face the challenge of maintaining their momentum in 2025 under head coach Matt Campbell.

• Quarterback Rocco Becht returns as the team's undisputed leader after throwing for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2024, with coaches describing him as "another offensive coach on our staff."

• The Cyclones face a significant challenge replacing NFL-bound receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, who combined 2,377 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns last season.

• Matt Campbell has strengthened Iowa State's recruiting, securing five of the top six players in Iowa for their 2025 class, including four-star recruits Alex Manske (QB), Will Hawthorne (LB), and Will Tompkins (OT).

• The team must address its run defense weakness (it is ranked 98th nationally, allowing 188.4 rushing yards per game) to remain competitive in the Big 12.

• Iowa State will make program history with its season opener against Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland, on August 23, creating unique logistical challenges and an unusual season rhythm with three bye weeks.

With Campbell's eight-year contract extension through 2032, expectations remain high, though a realistic outlook suggests 8-9 wins would represent continued success given their challenging schedule and roster changes.

Rich Rodriguez Returns: West Virginia's Football Revival

After a 17-year absence, Rich Rodriguez has returned to West Virginia as head coach, hoping to revive the program he once transformed into a national powerhouse before his controversial departure for Michigan.

• Following Neal Brown's lackluster 6-7 season in 2024, Rodriguez has initiated an unprecedented roster overhaul with 59 new players joining spring practice and over 30 departing through transfers or cuts.

• The 2025 version of Rodriguez brings valuable experience from his time at Michigan, Arizona, and Jacksonville State, with a clear focus on speed, toughness, and accountability as his program priorities.

• Rodriguez's coaching style represents a complete philosophical shift from Neal Brown's approach. It features fast-paced, detail-oriented practices where mistakes are immediately corrected and players develop what Rodriguez calls a "hard edge."

• West Virginia faces a challenging 2025 schedule that includes potential Big 12 contenders Utah and Texas Tech, plus the emotional rivalry game against Pittsburgh.

• Reasonable expectations for Rodriguez's first season back range from a floor of 6 wins and bowl eligibility to a ceiling of 9 wins if quarterback play excels and roster chemistry develops quickly.

With his five-year, $3.75 million per year contract, Rodriguez isn't just seeking short-term results, a complete resurrection of his legacy, and a football program that once competed with the nation's elite.

Colorado Football: Prime Time Enters Year Three Without Stars

As Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders enters his third season at Colorado, the program faces its biggest challenge: maintaining momentum without star players Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, who were the cornerstones of last year's remarkable turnaround.

• After inheriting a 1-11 disaster, Sanders transformed Colorado into a nine-win program in just two seasons, earning top 25 rankings, an Alamo Bowl appearance, and a lucrative contract extension reportedly worth over $10 million annually.

• The quarterback battle to replace Shedeur Sanders features two promising candidates: Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter (who threw for 4,762 yards and 47 touchdowns over the past two seasons) and five-star freshman Julian "Juju" Lewis.

• Colorado has brought in 26 targeted transfer portal commitments for 2025, ranking 20th nationally and 2nd in the Big 12. The focus is on addressing specific position needs and finding "grown men" who fit the culture.

• The team's biggest offensive challenge remains fixing its rushing attack, which ranked dead last in FBS (65.2 yards per game). This prompted Sanders to hire NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk as running backs coach.

• Colorado's favorable 2025 schedule features seven home games (the most in over four decades), presenting an opportunity to start strong before facing tougher road tests against TCU, Utah, and Kansas State.

Beyond football, the "Prime Effect" continues to transform Boulder with increased student applications, major sponsorships, consistently sold-out games, and an estimated $300-500 million economic impact that solidifies Sanders' influence regardless of on-field results.

Purple Reign: Why 2025 Could Be Kansas State's Championship Breakthrough

Kansas State's football program has quietly established itself as one of the most consistent winners in college football, and 2025 might be the year it finally breaks through to the College Football Playoff.

• QB Avery Johnson returns for his junior season after a record-setting 2024 campaign (2,712 yards, 25 TDs passing; 605 yards, 7 TDs rushing) and appears poised to become one of the nation's premier dual-threat quarterbacks.

• The backfield is loaded with talent, featuring explosive returner Dylan Edwards and power back transfer Gabe Ervin Jr. (Nebraska). This gives K-State multiple running styles to deploy against Big 12 defenses.

• Transfer portal additions have transformed the roster, with impact players like 6'5" receiver Jerand Bradley (Boston College/Texas Tech), multiple offensive linemen from blue-blood programs, and defensive talents from Alabama and Ohio State.

• Coach Chris Klieman's program (entering year 7) must address concerning penalty (5.5 per game) and turnover (neutral margin) statistics from 2024 that could derail championship aspirations.

• The 2025 season kicks off with a unique spotlight game against Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland, on August 23. This game begins a schedule that positions K-State as co-favorites (+550) to win the Big 12.

With their combination of elite quarterback play, explosive skill position talent, and proven coaching stability, the Wildcats aren't just playing for a conference title in 2025—they're positioning themselves for national relevance.