No one saw this coming but Josh Hoover is leaving TCU. It was reported Thursday evening he's entering the portal, and it might be the first of many dominos.

Utah’s Kyle Whittingham emerges as a likely candidate to take over at Michigan, setting off one of the most unexpected coaching carousel moves in recent college football history. Can Whittingham’s approach and legacy translate to success in Ann Arbor, and would his staff follow him or remain tied to Morgan Scalley? The crew breaks down the drama, and questions abound over Michigan’s future roster, leadership, and the impact on Big 12 dynamics. BYU fans are fired up as Notre Dame is accused of dodging the Cougars in bowl matchups, sparking talk about underdog narratives and college football prestige. Deion Sanders’ transformative effect on Colorado—on and off the field—is spotlighted, alongside concerns about his longevity and succession plans with rising assistant Brennan Marion. Plus, the panel debates Texas high school football recruiting, scandals, and which coaches truly fit Michigan’s high-pressure program. Will Sanders build a lasting legacy in Boulder, or is another seismic shift on the horizon?

Gordon Sammis hire reminds me a bit of Sonny Dykes hiring Rhett Lashlee at SMU.

I've heard a few TCU fans express caution when it comes to hiring Gordon Sammis. They've said let's not crown him yet. It got me to thinking, "is this hire being overhyped?"

Eric McAlister had a great season in 2025, and it resulted in him making the 3rd team All American team.

Josh Hoover staying at TCU already felt like the most likely outcome, but LaNorris Sellers returning to South Carolina only made it more likely.

TCU wasted no time replacing Kendal Briles hiring UConn OC Gordon Sammis on the same day Briles was officially hired by South Carolina.

The Big 12 Conference has been nothing short of a whirlwind over the past week, marked by a major championship, postseason selection drama, and a groundbreaking business announcement that reinforces its "New Look" identity. 1. Championship and CFP Breakthrough The week started with the Big 12 Championship Game where Texas Tech defeated BYU in a commanding fashion (34-7). This victory propelled the Red Raiders to a 12-1 record, securing the Big 12's automatic bid to the expanded College Football Playoff. The subsequent CFP rankings confirmed Texas Tech as the No. 4 seed, earning them a crucial first-round bye straight to the Orange Bowl Quarterfinal—a massive statement for the restructured league. 2. Bowl and Political Fallout While the Big 12 celebrated Tech's CFP inclusion and the bowl selections for seven other teams, drama erupted over the bubble. Commissioner Brett Yormark publicly backed the CFP committee's decision, despite BYU's exclusion, and notably criticized Notre Dame's Athletic Director for his "egregious" outrage over the Irish being left out. This positioned the Big 12 as a stable, unified partner in the new CFP ecosystem, contrasting sharply with the ACC's turmoil. Adding to the controversy, the conference levied $500,000 fines on Iowa State and Kansas State for opting to skip bowl games, underscoring the conference's commitment to fulfilling its postseason obligations. 3. NFL Partnership Announcement Perhaps the most significant long-term news was the conference's announcement of a strategic partnership with the NFL. This collaboration aims to align the two organizations on everything from officiating development and emerging technology to global growth initiatives. This unprecedented move further showcases the Big 12's innovative, business-forward approach under Yormark, establishing a distinct brand identity separate from the traditionalist SEC/Big Ten dynamic.

South Carolina fans have had the same question for a week "why are TCU fans happy to be rid of Kendal Briles?" I have the full truth on Briles, good and bad

It's been all but officially announced Kendal Briles is leaving TCU to take the South Carolina job

A couple of TCU fans expressed concern Josh Hoover may enter the portal. He's the exact type of player who would enter the portal, but last year proved Hoover wants to stay right here.

TCU fans have wanted Kendal Briles out for most of the season. They may finally get their wish, as Briles is heavily reported to be taking over at South Carolina.

Josh Hoover was surprisingly left off all the Big 12 all conference teams. Was he an actual snub? Let's compare him to the other All-Big 12 quarterbacks and Sawyer Robertson.

Jeremy Payne is the reason TCU's future is bright. The last 2 years have shown TCU has a clear cut top back going into 2026

Big 12 heavyweights BYU and Texas Tech shake up the championship picture as powerhouse coach Kalani Sitake nearly exits for Penn State, triggering a wild flurry of NIL deals and university power plays. Is the Big 12’s new financial arms race redefining the path to playoff success, or will legacy programs like Baylor and Kansas State be left behind? The roundtable debates elite coaching moves, jaw-dropping staff salaries, and the explosive influence of boosters and collectives across the conference. Locked On’s squad of insiders spotlights BYU’s dramatic retention saga, Texas Tech’s bold investments, and why schools like Colorado are facing multimillion-dollar deficits. The hosts question playoff selection criteria, analyze rivalry scheduling strategies, and ask whether the Big 12 committee made the right call in pitting BYU against Texas Tech. Can innovative fundraising and NIL strategies thrust these programs into national contention, or will conference politics hold them back?

TCU won their final 2 games. Is that enough to reduce frustration in the fan base? Their last game vs Cincinnati saw TCU have their most yards in a game.

highlighting Josh Hoover’s seamless performance at quarterback. Darrion Gray dives deep into Hoover's impressive stat line, why the run game helped elevate the offense,

Sonny Dykes' job security has been one of the biggest conversations around TCU. After TCU's best game of the season, Dykes is off the hot seat

In this Locked On College crossover, Darrion Gray and Jeff Carr dive deep into the upcoming TCU vs. Cincinnati matchup!