BIG 12 CONFERENCE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: BYU VS TEXAS TECH

December 6, 2025

Brett Yormark

AT&T Stadium

Press Conference

BRETT YORMARK: Good morning, everyone. I want to first thank the media for incredible coverage this year. You guys have done a terrific job in supporting the Big 12 in all the right ways. So thank you for that.

I see that we have Monster Energy and Gatorade here. We are commercially active, as you guys know. I guess they think I'm a pitch man. But I did start with my Monster today, nonetheless.

Officially welcome to the 2025 Edward Jones Big 12 Football Championship. We're thrilled to host our biggest event of the year here at AT&T Stadium. I need to thank the Jones family. They do an incredible job for us, their hospitality, how they maintain this building and give our student-athletes a first class experience. Big kudos to them.

I also want to thank Edward Jones CEO Penny Pennington and their entire team for entitling today's game. It's an exciting partnership with Edward Jones, and we look forward to building on it well beyond today's game.

Then lastly, I want to thank ABC. They've done a great job leading into this game, promoting it. All eyes will be on the Big 12 because of them. Obviously we love the 11:00 CT window. As a conference, we kind of kick off championship Saturday. So that's very exciting.

I also want to start off by saying there's never been a better time than right now to be part of this conference. The narrative and the profile around the Big 12 has never been better. I'm proud of the work our schools, our ADs, our presidents, and my staff are doing.

But it goes well beyond football, and I want to spend a moment just to talk about our fall. Oklahoma State men's cross country won the National Championship last month. We sent the nation leading ten teams to the NCAA Volleyball Tournament, a Big 12 record. TCU played last night in the Women's Final Four in soccer. Unfortunately, they didn't win, but just indicative of how Olympic sports are thriving in this conference and the investments our schools are making.

We've had an unprecedented start to the basketball season. Six women's basketball programs are in the top 30 of the NET, and that's tied for the most of any conference in America. And Big 12 basketball is the second best league in the country behind only the NBA, and I'm coining that phrase. And we've shown that in our out of conference matchups with other Power 4 conferences.

Now let's talk a little bit about football and why we're here. At Media Days in July, I said the Big 12 would earn it on the field, and we've done that. We're the deepest conference in America. Twelve Big 12 teams beat top 25 opponents, more than any other league in the FBS. Ten Big 12 teams are bowl eligible, which is also very exciting.

The national exposure we've received from ESPN, Fox, and TNT has been unprecedented, and they've been storytelling about this league all season long. So a big thanks to all three of them.

Our top three teams in the CFP rankings finished strong. BYU, Texas Tech, and Utah were a combined 14-1 in the final six weeks of the season, with the one loss being BYU at Texas. The Race to Arlington delivered two programs who earned the right to compete for a Big 12 Championship and who deserved to be in the CFP.

Speaking of the College Football Playoff, our conference is positioned to have multiple teams in the center of this national conversation. Texas Tech has been a top four team in the CFP rankings and deservedly so. A historic season for the Red Raiders with the nation's top defense, including a historic season from Heisman worthy contender Jacob Rodriguez.

BYU's body of work at 11-1 -- and I've said this before -- is being undervalued by the CFP committee at No. 11 in rankings. I've said let's not look at logos, let's look at resumes. When you do a blind resume comparison, there's no doubt BYU is in the top 10, no question about it. In comparison to Notre Dame, BYU has a better overall record, better strength of record, and a better strength of schedule. There is no comparison.

I found this data point yesterday. No Power 4 team with an 11-1 record has ever finished outside the top 10 in the CFP rankings going into championship week.

I'll say that again. No Power 4 team with an 11-1 record has ever finished outside the top 10 in the CFP rankings going into the championship week. BYU has been under appreciated.

So how do I think about football moving forward? It's at the core of what we do, and yesterday we announced a groundbreaking partnership with the NFL, very excited about it. That partnership will speak to officiating development, the global growth of the game. As you guys know, and I've said it before, I think we can win internationally. TCU plays North Carolina next August in Dublin, and we'll have the first ever game in London at Wembley Field next September when Kansas plays ASU.

We'll also be working with the NFL on emerging technology and analytics and also the continued development of flag football, which is critically important.

I want to thank the NFL for partnering with us and betting on the Big 12. NFL Executive Vice President, Football Operations Troy Vincent is with us. Troy, thank you for your partnership, but most importantly, thank you for your friendship, and we look forward to working with you.

Scott Draper, who heads up our competition, also our head of football, helped to consummate that partnership with Troy. After today's press conference, feel free to speak with both of them about what that means for this conference moving forward.

As it relates to today's game, both programs got to the football championship by earning it on the field with impressive 11-1 records. Today's game is not only between two teams worthy of a Big 12 Championship, but it's a game between two teams who deserve to be in the CFP. With all eyes on the Big 12 today, we get to show the nation why the Big 12 is truly a different league.

Now, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I spent Wednesday in Washington, D.C., with my fellow commissioners, Power 4 commissioners, and I was disappointed the SCORE Act did not reach the House floor for a vote. Let me be clear about this. The House of Representatives must do what's right for over 500,000 student-athletes and pass the SCORE Act. We must protect their future, their well-being, and their fair treatment. They deserve action and not excuses.

With that, back to you, Matt.

Q. Last year you were here and you talked about the competitiveness and the balance in this conference with four teams finishing 7-2 and using the tiebreakers to get teams in the title game. You also said last year, and I'm paraphrasing, that eventually you need a team or two to become the dominant teams in this conference. This year there's a little more dominance between Texas Tech and BYU. Has that dominance played a role in terms of what you were talking about in the case of both of these teams in the College Football Playoffs?

BRETT YORMARK: I said it before and I repeated it in Media Days that we have the deepest conference in America. At some point you need those brands to kind of start distancing themselves, and I think Texas Tech and BYU have done that this year.

But it's not just them. I think, when you look at the body of work of our 16 schools, there is a separation that you're starting to see a little bit led by Texas Tech and BYU, and I think that's good for the conference because we need our schools to be part of the national conversation. When you think about the Big 12 and our football product, I think this year that started to happen, and I think you'll see more of that evolution next year. Critically important for us.

Q. Back in the spring the league was pushing hard for 5+11 for the playoff format. Now with only one team projected to be in the field right now with Texas Tech, has that stance changed to where you want more automatic qualifiers and a format of, say, 24 teams or something along those lines?

BRETT YORMARK: I've always been a believer that the 5+11 provide the right access. I believe that on a percentage basis, when there's 136 FBS schools, the number 12 is too low. We need more access for all the right reasons, and I'm very consistent about that.

I have spent recently some time with my Power 4 commissioner colleagues to talk about different formats, and that conversation will continue, and we'll see where it takes us. But as of today, I like 5+11.

Q. Do you think BYU has to win this game to get in the playoff?

BRETT YORMARK: I hope not. I anticipate a close game today, a great showing from BYU. They're healthy. When they were in Lubbock, their quarterback and running back weren't as healthy as they are today. I think they're a better BYU team today, and we'll see what unfolds during today's game.

I would hope that they wouldn't have to convince the Selection Committee, with a win today, that they deserve to be in the CFP, but it might take that.

Q. You've talked before about your reasoning for not having the Utah-BYU game on rivalry weekend. After how the season played out and how that game could have been a conference championship deciding game, is there any regret about not having that on rivalry weekend, or would you go about that differently moving forward?

BRETT YORMARK: When we look at our schedule, we have rivalries throughout the year, and we think that today is the best approach to take. But during the off-season, Scott and I and our ADs will sit down and see what we want to do in the future.

We like having different rivalry games throughout the course of the season for appointment viewing, but we're open to change if our 16 schools feel differently.

Q. Just in regards to BYU, obviously if they lose this game, there's a good chance they might not be in it, but as far as the politics of the CFP goes, knowing that a three-loss Texas team is kind of right there, even though they have three losses, how do you feel about teams, especially in your conference, making the championship game but still might not necessarily be in it despite other teams in the top 10 who aren't even playing their conference championship game this weekend?

BRETT YORMARK: Let me answer the question from the standpoint of I'm pro championship game. This is a very meaningful moment for this conference. So I advocate for championships. I know other commissioners might think a little differently. The media might think a little differently. But from my perspective, this is a critical moment where all eyes are on this conference.

How it plays out with BYU, obviously I don't have a crystal ball, but they deserve to be in the CFP irregardless of what happens today, but it might require a win to get in.

Q. The other day at the Early National Signing Day press conference, Scott Frost, when asked about the NIL spending over the rev share said quite flatly that college football is broken. I wonder what you feel about the status of college football in terms of NIL and revenue share, and if it's broken, how do you fix it?

BRETT YORMARK: Boy, an answer could take hours for that, and I don't have it today. Let me break it down a little bit. I'm an advocate of rev share. I've said that from day one. I believe that student-athletes are part of the value creation, and when you create value, you should be rewarded.

I am an advocate of good NIL, and I'll define that. That's when a good brand, like an Edward Jones, partners with the student-athlete to help build their name, image, and likeness. That's good NIL, and I'm a fan of that.

Cap circumvention, I'm not for. I have a strong voice when it comes to the four commissioners of the biggest conferences, and I make sure that it's heard. I'm not in it for cap circumvention. We signed up for a cap. Not a floor, but a cap, and I'm managing to that.

I will be spending time with the commissioners next week on some of the challenges that face student-athletes, and we're working through them. I want you to understand that nothing's broken in this system. I respect Scott, but nothing's broken. In fact, Saturdays are becoming bigger than Sundays. There's nothing like college football. But we have our challenges, no different than any other industry, but I also see opportunity when I see challenges.

So we'll keep working at it. It is a work in progress. All the things that we're doing, it's all about progress, not perfection. There is no perfection in any industry, but there is progress, and we're making great progress. We'll see what happens over the course of the next year or two. But thank you for your question.

Q. There's been a number of religious chants at BYU games over the last few years in Big 12 venues, and I know Colorado got fined. From a league standpoint, is there any policy you're looking at for deterrence of that going forward in terms of a blanket policy?

BRETT YORMARK: We have zero tolerance for it, and it starts with me, both on a personal and professional level, zero tolerance, and the folks at BYU are very much aware of that. I spent a lot of time with Shane and Brian. BYU has been a fantastic addition to this conference, and they have created enormous value for the Big 12, and there is zero tolerance for any chants like that.

We're going to make it crystal clear, and we do have a sportsmanship policy, and our schools must abide by it. Having said all that, we are going to come together as 16 institutions following this football season and figure out how we can get better. It's about changing behavior, and we will do that. Thank you for your question.

Q. We talked about the investment in football that has been needed to succeed. To have Texas Tech make its investment and to be successful, how important is that for the league and as a model for the value of investing in football?

BRETT YORMARK: I think, if you look at Texas Tech or BYU, when you invest, you want a return, and they're seeing a great return. All of our schools are for the most part spending close, if not at the cap, which is terrific. It shows their investment in athletics, and as I've said it before, athletics sits at the front porch of each institution.

It drives the ecosystem. It drives donor support, community engagement, philanthropy, enrollment. So I'm advocating for investment in all the right ways, appropriate investment. And it's playing out.

I started today's press conference talking about the performance on the field. I think that's indicative of investment. I'm confident our schools will continue to invest in all the right ways to drive their programs forward.

Q. Are you aware of Vanderbilt's attempt to schedule a 13th game with Miami and Utah? I know you advocated for Utah to be in the playoff. If so, what are your thoughts on potentially playing a 13th wild card game for teams on the bubble?

BRETT YORMARK: I'm not aware of that, but I would defer to my esteemed colleague who lives football every day, Scott, if he has an answer to that, but I'm not aware of that. Thank you for your question.

Scott, do you want to address that at all? Are you aware of it? All right. We'll come back to you at some point on that. Thank you.

Q. You've spoken, as you said, that you advocate the 5+11. What do you think the chances are that it can happen as early as next season? If not next season, when?

BRETT YORMARK: I can't speak for the other commissioners because obviously it's a collaborative effort on the CFP format and where it goes. Obviously we're working on it, but we can't rush it. We have to understand the data and the unintended consequences of that, the calendar, what it means for student-athletes to have additional games, their health and wellness. A lot goes into it. It's not just about picking a number.

You also have to look through a filter and say what are the unintended consequences of those decisions, which is what the commissioners and myself are working on. I'm not overly optimistic we're going to be able to change anything for next year. Obviously the deadline for ESPN is moved, and that is a milestone marker, if you will.

We're in the lab. We're trying to figure it out, and we're working very closely and partnering with the practitioners, which are the heads of football of the four conferences, and they're leaning in too. As I said, we'll be meeting again in the near future, and we'll see where it takes us. Thank you for your question.

Q. Heisman voting opens at 5:00 today. I know you've got, Mr. Commissioner, got to be fair to all teams, but do you have a case for Jacob Rodriguez to win it?

BRETT YORMARK: Listen, he's had an outstanding year, and more importantly, he's an incredible athlete and incredible person and has a wonderful story to tell. So I hope it works out for him. I hope I can be there to spend some time with him and to support him.

Q. Curious for just your impression of Joey McGuire in your time around him and what he has done at Texas Tech?

BRETT YORMARK: He's a fantastic coach. I have a really unique relationship with all of our coaches. I text them a lot. I wish them happy birthdays, milestone moments. We speak quite a bit. I leave the officiating issues to Scott, so I only get the good conversations.

Joey and I probably speak weekly. He's a great motivator. He's a great representative of this conference, you know, the grit, the grind, the hard work. So we love having him in this conference, and obviously he got an extension this week with Texas Tech, so God willing, he'll be here a long time, and we'll be fortunate enough for it.

I also want to let you know that Kalani is a great coach too, just a fabulous, fabulous guy. I'm happy that he's staying at BYU, and he's equally just a great representative of this conference. In fact, yesterday we had an advisory board meeting and an alumni council meeting, and both of them joined us and just talked about the season and just life in general and what they expect out of today's game.

Just incredible, incredible human beings, and all of our coaches are. We've got a great group of coaches. Sorry to see Matt Campbell go. That broke last night. Did an incredible job at Iowa State. Nothing lasts forever. So we're excited for him and his family and the next chapter in his professional journey.

We've got great coaches, but certainly the coaches that are here with us today are doing great things for their schools. Thanks for the question.

Thank you very much, everybody. Appreciate it.