Utah Football LEAVING Big 12 to Go Independent, Secure College Football Playoff Payout is Impossible

[@justindangersmith]

BYU BARELY survived independence and hardly got any looks for bowls, even with some good seasons. Utah doesnt have the same nationwide fan base that BYU does and so it makes it that much more difficult.

[@MattPaulsen-6890]

2 things: 1) Utah is NOT even close to considering going Indy. They know it won't work 2) Utah had more viewership, THIS season, then BYU THIS season. BYU's best season in 20 yrs. Utah's worst in 25 yrs. And even then, NO WAY is Utah even considering it.

[@dostacos1]

@@MattPaulsen-6890 important caveat here…Utah played Colorado in the regular season, BYU didn’t. The Colorado game brought 2.5+ million more viewers than Utah’s overall average viewership for the season. All of the top viewed Big XII games this season featured Colorado. So yeah, Utah beat out BYU by an average of .04 million viewers per game in the regular season, but that was more Colorado’s doing than anything else, just like when Utah was in the PAC XII and got their numbers bolstered by Oregon, USC, UCLA, and Washington every year. It’s not eyes on Utah, it’s eyes on the other team, that’s why the numbers drop significantly when you played Baylor or any other school that people don’t care about.

[@aisaxonawiat6484]

​​@@MattPaulsen-6890.... an outsider's opinion, but Utah is not even in the same universe as BYU and it's a no-brainer without any research on the matter. A school representing a world religion versus a small State School.... Utah fans are known for being delusional, but cmon. BYU seems to be good in all sports, I haven't even heard of Utah having any other teams outside of football.... do they compete in other sports?

[@HasBeen-en3ue]

Clickbaiter is the modern day equivalent of the boy who cried wolf. Eventually both get ignored. You are better than this, Drake.

[@mal91579]

No he's not better than this. This is his normal trash.

[@tpatrickl9539]

Utah is a legend in their own mind

[@brendenpowell9812]

The Utes message board literally shows how delusional their fan base has become. BYU didn't exactly tear it up it in independence. Utah would fair far worse, they would end up more like Utah State did for their short period of independence.

[@JT-uu5we]

What Utes fan board are you referring that makes delusional comments about this subject, because there aren't many out there and I haven't seen any delusional comments you are insinuating they made on their message board. If you can let me know what Utes message board you are referring to, I would like to check that out.

[@SaltLakeUteFan]

Utah fans are NOT claiming Utah should go independent. This video is nothing but click bait. With that, you should rethink who is delusional here.

[@richaustin5849]

Only BYU was dumb enough to go Independent.

[@dirkpalmer1067]

SEC NIL offers for Tanuvasa dwarfed BYU's & Utah's offers. Also, if you watch Tanuvasa's in person interview on BYU Sports, it's pretty easy to see why he ultimately chose BYU.

[@kendog4971]

Son of a gun…you got me with the clickbait

[@docrosko]

Let the Utes go independent. Good luck at the New Mexico bowl and the $700,000 payouts. Good luck in making a schedule worth playing after week 3 in the season. BYU did this and I have never been happier to have them join a conference. Independence is fun for fans if you travel, but how many times will you be happy to see UMass coming to town? How about Utah Tech? Enjoy the Southern Utah rivalry.

[@richaustin5849]

Only BYU was dumb enough to go Independent and become irrelevant for 13 years.

[@gnlimber]

Independence had a couple of problems for BYU, 1) If they lost a game early/mid-season there wasn't anything to play for except bowl eligibility. 2) They could only schedule tough teams at the start of the season, after that they would be playing the UMass's of the world. 3) They had to find a conference to play basketball (and all other sports)

[@kylemercer6142]

In independence, a team is really vulnerable to any bad loss. Basically, a single bad loss can torpedo the entire season in terms of rankings and/or CFP discussions.

[@gradydustin1]

Getting a full slate of good and great teams to play you as an independent was very difficult for BYU. They could get 3-4 P5 games a year, but few of them were GREAT teams, and the rest were all G5. Being in a Power conference gives you a full slate of Power conference teams. No way could Utah get a better slate of games by going independent. It would be much worse.

[@raysmart5673]

You, Podcasters are guilty of a lot of these rumors. You post a picture of the coaches and then you have an inflammatory title underneath it. I can’t believe I continue to watch this stuff. You guys did it to Kalani and to Kyle.

[@highsociety7677]

And now I'm unsubscribing. Was a nice ride, Drake, but you've gone from news and commentary to tabloid. Too bad, had a great thing going, needed to keep thinking long-term and not short clickbait growth.

[@stevenshields754]

Agreed. Drake, just be normal, and we'll listen. I'm a therapist. You're accepted as you are. Worthy bro.

[@jerrytarver]

I think it would be great if Utah left the big 12 and go independent!

[@josephmelendez8370]

Yes the rest of Big 12 agrees, Utah thinks a little too highly of themselves for a school that was a Longhorn Network away from still being in the Mountain West.

[@mmmcounts]

Not gonna happen, Utah and BYU being conference rivals is the way that it needs to be.

[@jamesmccarty3326]

Their self awareness is epically bad!

[@rwherrin]

BYU was thrilled to get out of independence and into the Big XII. Every year was over when they had their first loss. Utah is such a solid team and program. I wouldn’t even say they aren’t in the top 3-4 in terms of preseason rankings for 2025.

[@chucky0034]

Naaa BYU fans defended independence like no tomorrow until the BIG12 came knocking.

[@dfausti66]

There is a difference between the global fanbase of a church-sponsored school and a state-sponsored school!

[@JT-rx1eo]

Utah, as a secular state school in the old Pac 12 geographic footprint, got lucky with their Leftcoast boy's club Pac invite. Especially given their in-state dynamics vis a vis BYU. They felt so privileged and proud that they "got in" and BYU, due to their religious orientation and culture, did not. THIS is why they are not proud of their Big 12 identity today. They feel that they have been forced to relinquish their Leftcoast boys club membership, and their status. Particularly relative to their rival BYU.

[@noneyabusiness5455]

This 100%

[@kellyfontes7757]

BYU declined the invite as they thought they were Notre Dame and wanted to go Independant at the time. Spare us the "religious orientation and culture".

[@josephmelendez8370]

Utah really has no clue how low on the totem pole they are. The only reason that Utah ever got out of the Mountain West is because Texas wanted to keep the Longhorn Network rather than go to the Pac-10 with the other Big 12 schools. Had those schools joined the Pac-10 then Utah never would've gotten in.

[@noneyabusiness5455]

@@kellyfontes7757 this is news to me. Source?

[@strjfs]

⁠@@kellyfontes7757Not true. BYU was snubbed by the now diminished PAC 12.

[@tedbenner3053]

Running out of things to Talk about!!!

[@corneliusdansbyjr6165]

BYU, Baylor, Utah, and maybe TCU are the main subjects on Locked on Big 12....that and realignment

[@wakeupworkout7781]

hey man you're gonna lose us with the clickbait titles. also, "BYU ilegally stealing utes?", not only is this misspelled, but this clickbait topic has been regurgitated so many times. You've had like 5 videos on that. Find some new topics or we're gonna start ignoring what has been a good channel.

[@markstarcher3043]

Much luve drake. But stop the click bait bro. Only listened for 1 minute and left.

[@bullseye2474]

Yeah Utah almost beat Oregon and OSU in the same year but it took having several draft picks sitting out for OSU. Also I bet Utah thinks they’d be undefeated in basketball to if Cam Rising was just healthy. They’re delusional!

[@mal91579]

Utah didn't almost beat Oregon. They did beat them twice in one season.

[@RickAndMorty-n8y]

Come on man don’t clickbait me like that

[@varrick1226]

This is just not true, Drake. You're losing me this is fake news you're turning into CNN.

[@mdcarson]

You lost me Drake, unsubbing.

[@ChevelleSS-yr3gb]

The ESPN talking heads would never rank them high enough to get them in the playoffs. They aren’t Norte Dame status.

[@kendalldean9612]

Baseless allegations on BYU "stealing" Utes......more bogus, allegations.

[@tomhastings4596]

Utah independent, the moon made of cheese, the earth is square meet at a bar…which one do you bet on is real? Ok, you’re right, the moon is made of cheese!

[@bronco2788]

No fan base is more delusional than Utah.

[@Lootshark23]

No fan base is more lost than Brigham young university part of a damn cult

[@WetPouch16]

Just YBU and their idiot fans

[@johnfaris5376]

This would be a colossal mistake and don’t believe for a second it’s even under serious consideration.

[@JT-uu5we]

If what are both saying is true, I would fire the AD Mark Harlan for wanting to take Utah independent. This is absolutely ludacris and he doesn't speak for the Utah fanbase. I believe most of the fanbase is not at all impressed with how he's handled the Big12 transition and any claims he's making on that. Thus far, I am one Utah fan that would prefer the university start looking for another AD whose is respectable and professional. Not one who makes rediculous comments out of emotion.

[@StormyCyclone]

What a terrible take, the media deal would kill them, Drake you must do better, otherwise I'm dropping out of this podcast.

[@NovaGraphics2C]

Click bait that makes me want to unsubscribe

[@LockedOnBig12]

i am sorry, nova graphic

[@carverbehrens6769]

They should just come back to the PAC

[@BobthePeeler]

Your headlines are very clickbait-y. Ain't foolin' me for much longer.

[@arcyhie]

Clickbait.

[@atrzar]

I LOVE Drake Toll but holy cow, does he like to stir up drama and post click bait!

[@webmoore4353]

Click bait don’t watch. Only ND can pull it off.

[@Bofadeez467]

Drake I love you but chill with the clickbait

[@fredfeller5078]

Click bait. No thanks.

[@karlchristen]

Please!!!! Go Utes Go

[@Ron_Ronco]

Please do Utah. Nothing else could thoroughly snuff their program like that would.

[@JT-rx1eo]

The Big 12 is a meat grinder of a conference, in both football and basketball. Meaning any team on any given week can beat any other team. Just a little tweak of any one factor can swing a season from a losing one to a winning one and vice versa. I noticed that at the end of last year, during BYU's losing season end, when they played Oklahoma, they were NOT defeated physically. Little things.

[@QuinnPitcher]

I went to both schools, you're crazy if you don't understand the size of the BYU around the country. I say this and I wore red at the Holy War this year. ESPN signed BYU for a reason.

[@kellyfontes7757]

This has to be a joke.

[@aaronjensen8455]

The rumor of Utah going independent started on the CougarBoard. It's a rivalry, both fanbases talk smack about each other. You can't claim that the Utah fanbase is unhappy with, or leaving, the Big 12 just because BYU fans make up nonsense about their rivals.

[@jordanbrown5983]

This is BS.

[@mjulkunen]

By the time BYU joined the Big12, I think the Cougars finally had schedules that were respectable and good enough to get them to a 12 team playoff. However, it took the Cougars 10 years to get there. Utah's program could not survive that first 10 years as an independent. Their program would not be able to recruit athletes that would be happy playing MWC, American Conference teams, FCS teams. BYU was still a big draw to ESPN as well as smaller broadcast networks - CBS sports, PAC12 network. I don't believe a falling Ute program would be a draw to ESPN or other networks. Also, BYU has their own broadcast network that is widely available to keep BYU fans watching BYU athletics. Utah doesn't have that. Even their own fans would lose interest. The only way for Ute fans to see most Utah athletics as an independent, would be for them to attend the games themselves. No TV revenue for Utah as an independent would mean complete failure for Utah athletics. I don't think there are any Big12, ACC, or mid-major programs that could pull off what BYU did for 10+ years. And, with conference realignment, even BYU's athletic director indicated that independence was not sustainable. If BYU didn't get into the Big12, they would be looking to be in a mid major conference within 5 years. Just like Washington State and Oregon State are doing now... and that's even with tens of millions of $$$'s they retained from the defunct PAC12.

[@stk2mln887]

Clickbait

[@roamrunner]

The clickbait is getting old.

[@Asianjon85]

JT. for the most part i really appreciate your level-headedness generally speaking... but in zero universes was Utah ever in the Colorado game... they gave up 49 points to a very predictable offensive scheme. Utah was just bad this year. And IT'S OKAY to say that.

[@UnmanWeston]

Utah is not leaving.

[@MrFrmartin]

we can dream

[@ljhlax]

New Conference Proposal. Cross and Sword Conference. 1: Notre Dame 2: BYU 3: SMU 4: Liberty 5: Boston College 6: TCU 7: Baylor 8: Duke 9: Wake Forest 10: Army 11: Navy 12: Air Force This conference brings things back to a power 5 instead of Power 4. ACC and Big 12 teams leaving can be filled in with Boise State, Oregon State and Washington State as well as the best of Non-P4 conferences plugging various holes left by those leaving for this conference.

[@losthighway4840]

Tv money is useless. Everyone is going to match the rev share target. The only thing that matters is NIL, which can’t even be used from tv money.

[@luckuania8723]

Lolol, I live in Savannah. Didn't expect the Big 12 rep to be stationed in southeast Georgia 😂

[@Drumwolf62]

They claimed that they were going to own the Big 12 in their first year!!! Wow that did not age well!!! LOL What are they smoking at Utah?

[@shortsallyear8602]

You didn’t clarify where the guest on JT show said BYU is not paying NIL that was promised.

[@jamesasmith2494]

Cam Reising is ready to draw Social Security. Wasn't he born in the fifties?

[@kendalldean9612]

Dumb clickbait.......

[@scottwins2]

A Ute is like the SEC, since we are we deserve. Go Cougs!

[@WetPouch16]

Douche alert!

[@TheIronweed-vx5lg]

The yutz, putz, schmutz...all the same. Please go independent.

[@MattPaulsen-6890]

Drake, you have become "Locked on BYU". It's truly strange. I get being anti-Utah, to some degree. Given the twitter idiots during realignment. And clearly you like to spit on a team while they are down. Classy. But this "BYU love fest" isn't going to age well for you. Just giving fair warning. I'd just focus on the B12 at large. Like, ASU. Are they legit? ISU? Are they building something? Baylor back?

[@coachanderson2704]

He is delusional, with his videos, lol.

[@davin6256]

I mean as a BYU fan this is the record BYU started out with in the Big 12. Utes probably have as good as chance to get a 10+ win season next season.

[@buckeyeintexas4709]

Utah, Arizona and Arizona St all have suffered since joining the trailer Trash 🗑️ conference. Their academic rankings have dropped because they are no longer associated with the likes of USC, Cal and Stanford but now with the likes of West Virginia, Kansas St and Cincinnati. When the BIG didn't save all the old AAU PAC schools, it was just a step down to a tier 2/g8 conference with less prestige.

[@HOF-CFB]

Acting Like UTAH is the same as Notre Dame might be the dumbest thing I have ever seen...

[@diplopsn5634]

BYU is a much larger brand than Utah. The B1G has very little to do with Nebraska's downfall.

[@tetonman4072]

Notre Dame gets treated differently from any other independent program. BYU found this out the hard way. They didn’t even get the same access that Boise State or the other group of 5 got. Only a major program like Texas or Ohio State could do what Notre Dame does in independence. You need to have the brand following and respect for it to really work. Sorry Utah not there yet.

[@aisaxonawiat6484]

BYU actually did reasonably well but they did get screwed on the bowls if they lost a game.

[@ixtapa1650]

Dont waste your time on this garbage!

[@jerroldpatterson1715]

What? We're going to lose one of the worst teams in the conference? Maybe we can get Northern Illinois to replace them.

[@TreuStories101]

Utah won't survive inde. Not a broad enough base.

[@chucky0034]

As a Utah fan, we aren't going anywhere and just start calling yall the BIG12 "National Inqurier". How this 🤡 countinuesly gets to represent a Utah fan base while I have yet to see or meet him as season ticket holder for 30 years and yet to see him at any season road games. 😂

[@jaymcclanahan353]

Doce Grande!!

[@stischer47]

LOL...if any of what you are saying Drake then why haven't Ohio State, Texas, Alabama, Michigan, USC, UCLA gone independent. They have much BIGGER brands.

[@luckuania8723]

Notre Dame has made $20 million so far from the CFP

[@kentoler5396]

It’s a different day

[@paulsnyder393]

1st issue the"independent" ranks has ND so unless you played them and beat them your never getting in. I don't see any situation where 2 independents get into the play off.

[@Warmmmmm]

Utah is too poor for independence.

[@aisaxonawiat6484]

Too poor for the Big 12 also.

[@Jace28142]

Please do us all the favor 🙏

[@cameronhimes3558]

Utah was a QB away from competing in Big12 championship. Injuries hurt them in that position. They had a good defense. I'm an ASU fan. Max Hall? BYU has a bigger brand than Utah (though it's getting better mostly thanks to urban yrs)

[@davidcase9848]

Almost everybody is just a QB away from winning everything

[@WetPouch16]

@@davidcase9848haha not BYU they will find a way to choke. Kansas!?!? Hilarious! Imagine going 9-0 and finding a way to keep yourself out of the CFP😂😂😂

[@cameronhimes3558]

@@davidcase9848 No. Colorado was an offensive line and defense and RB away from winning everything. Iowa state was a defense away from winning everything

[@JeffreyColburn-w5w]

After 1 year in the Big 12? If this is true they are just babies.

[@BobbyHalowell]

There hasn't been a pick right in any sport. In the big 12. So you just talk football. That shits long gone . On to lady utes . Or even gymnastics.

[@ReisterJP]

Utah is lucky to be in the Mid 12 they could be one of the school left in the pac or they could have to crawl back to the MWC.

[@MNeuenswander]

What power 4 conference teams are going to want to schedule independent Utah (given the ranking downside from losing) or how much will they have to pay to play those teams? They would end up having a "weak" strength of schedule and don't get the credibility, bowls or recruiting cache they need to remain competitive.

[@jrgetda1911]

Utah is not Notre Dame is not the Ohio State the Michigan is y’all not that type of brand

[@PATRIOT904]

Utah will go back to Pac-12

[@davidcase9848]

They should go for it. Right now. Good riddance.

[@briantait7729]

BYU did it.... You could mention them too along with Notre Dame.. Just saying. Utah couldn't do it.

[@robertofraire4102]

“End up like Nebraska” Every sport other than football has benefitted by moving to the big ten 😂😂 Yeah man it’s rough bringing in almost a billion dollars in revenue every year from sports. #8 most profitable university in America 😂😂 Cope harder Utah fans

[@manaze]

Yes please!! Leave!!! Bye Felicia!!

[@JonathanWeaver-sq6vw]

Come back to the Pac-12!

[@tbarron1631]

LOL hilarious 🤣🤣 expert trolling

[@CarlDempsey-d5u]

One can only hope. Or just go back to the pac12

[@cameronhimes3558]

Utah was a QB away from competing in Big12 championship. Injuries hurt them in that position. They had a good defense. I'm an ASU fan

[@chucky0034]

At this point, "The View" has more credibility than both you clowns 🤡

[@saeedbonabian1322]

BYU’s fan base is 5 times the size of Utah. It’s super hard to schedule. BYU built deep ties with Notre Dame and the academies so they could get it done. The Big 12 didn’t even care about getting Utah. BYU had to let Utah in. It’s a relatively poor state school compared to a rich private school.

[@WetPouch16]

Delusion at its finest folks

[@rodneydurrett8604]

Bye bye!! Don't let the door hit you on your way out!!

[@noneyabusiness5455]

Little brother running away again? what's new.

[@WetPouch16]

Yeah Utah ain’t going no where baby and little sister YBU is sad about it.

[@shakarocks]

I don't think the Utah vs. BYU comparison in the case of independence is valid. BYU is going to draw fans wherever it goes because its large alumni base is all over the country. BYU also has an international fanbase. This fanbase gave it the ability to put BYU in a solid position with ESPN to negotiate an independent TV deal. BYU also had a preexisting television network that can be seen all over the world. While Utah has a solid football program it doesn't have the aforementioned things. It also doesn't have the financial resources of BYU. Utah has to be in a conference while BYU could muddle through as an independent. Independence sucks BTW. Eratic schedule, awful game times, and nothing to play for other than pride. I'm extremely happy BYU is back in a conference.

[@larryobrien2694]

Hope it is not true. Big12 needs to stand strong and push big10/sec bums.

[@corneliusdansbyjr6165]

@@larryobrien2694 you sound beaten 😆

[@aisaxonawiat6484]

​@@corneliusdansbyjr6165....hey Cornelius from planet of the apes fame.... you're back😂