Mac Engel: Texas Tech’s rise and Orange Bowl crash will define the Big 12 for another year

Mac Engel: Texas Tech’s rise and Orange Bowl crash will define the Big 12 for another year

FORT WORTH, Texas — For the second consecutive January, the Big 12 is lamenting its state and sadness, only this time here in 2026 feels worse than it did in 2025. At least in 2025, the Big 12’s lone representative…

The Big 12 Didn’t Want to Start 2026 Like This

Let’s be honest, we turned the page from 2025 to 2026 with a lot of excitement. The Big 12 Conference had its best chance, arguably ever, to make a deep run in the College Football Playoff with Texas Tech looking elite. The conference was 4-1 in five bowl games prior to the New Year, with wins from Houston, BYU, TCU and Utah, with Arizona State having the only loss. And then there was the hype for Big 12 basketball, with league play right around…