Talking season has officially arrived.
Big 12 Media Days are underway in Frisco, Texas, marking the unofficial start of another college football season. It’s the first time coaches and players gather to publicly set expectations, answer offseason questions and begin shaping the narratives that will follow them into August.
While the Brendan Sorsby saga has dominated headlines for months, there are plenty of other storylines worth following as the Big 12 prepares for what should be another wide-open race to the College Football Playoff.
Texas Tech’s championship hopes now rest with Will Hammond
The biggest question entering Media Days centers around Texas Tech.
With Brendan Sorsby no longer in Lubbock, many have written off the Red Raiders’ playoff chances. That’s an overreaction.
Joey McGuire never planned to dip into the transfer portal for a starting quarterback if Will Hammond had been healthy. Sorsby became a priority because Hammond was recovering from a torn ACL and there are legitimate questions about his availability entering the season. Now, assuming Hammond is healthy, Texas Tech is turning to the quarterback it expected would eventually take over anyway.Â
OFFICIALLY WILL HAMMOND SZN 🌵 pic.twitter.com/Wh4NXIzBRm
— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) June 16, 2026
Hammond isn’t an unproven project. The former four-star recruit has spent two seasons in the program and flashed his potential whenever his number has been called. His performance against Utah on the road last season showed he belongs, going 13 of 16 through the air for 169 yards, while throwing two touchdowns on the road against the No. 16 ranked team in the nation. Add in nearly 300 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, and Hammond offers the dual-threat ability offenses covet.Â
Texas Tech still boasts one of the conference’s better offensive lines, a loaded backfield and a defense capable of competing for a Big 12 title. If Hammond is healthy, don’t be surprised if the Red Raiders are right back in the playoff conversation by November.Â
Kenny Dillingham may have found another quarterback
One of the more intriguing storylines in Frisco won’t come from the established stars.
It’ll come from Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley. The former Kentucky starter and 2025 SEC All-Freshman team selection showed flashes of elite talent in Lexington despite battling inconsistency and turnovers. At 6-foot-5 with a strong arm, mobility and toughness, Boley possesses every physical tool coaches look for.Â
Invest in Cutter Boley before it’s too late 👀 pic.twitter.com/ejQtO9Ws0s
— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) July 8, 2026
More importantly, Kenny Dillingham wanted him. That alone says plenty. Dillingham has built a reputation as one of college football’s best quarterback developers, helping maximize the talents of quarterbacks such as Brady White, Bo Nix, Jordan Travis and Sam Leavitt throughout his coaching career. If he believes Boley is worth building around, it’s reasonable to think Arizona State may have landed one of the conference’s breakout players.
The mistakes were there at Kentucky, but so was the upside.Â
Utah enters unfamiliar territory
For the first time in decades, Utah football begins a season without Kyle Whittingham leading the program. That alone makes the Utes one of the conference’s most fascinating teams.
Morgan Scalley has spent years preparing for this opportunity. He’s respected as one of the nation’s top defensive minds and understands Utah’s culture better than almost anyone, but following a legend is different than coordinating for one.
Can Scalley maintain the toughness and consistency that defined the Whittingham era while establishing his own identity? That’s one of the biggest coaching questions in the Big 12 this season.Â
Oklahoma State could become appointment viewing
If offense is your thing, keep an eye on Stillwater.
New Oklahoma State head coach Eric Morris arrives after orchestrating one of the country’s most explosive attacks at North Texas and brings quarterback Drew Mestemaker with him after a season of more than 4,300 passing yards and 34 touchdowns.
Standout running back Caleb Hawkins and wide receiver Wyatt Young also followed Morris to Stillwater providing plenty of firepower throughout the Cowboys offense. Oklahoma State has the potential to become one of the league’s most entertaining teams.Â
The question isn’t whether the Cowboys can score, it’s whether they can stop anyone. If the defense doesn’t improve, Oklahoma State could find itself in weekly shootouts that become must-watch television for college football fans.
