College & Kimball

Know Your Enemy: Oklahoma

The 2022 "Know Your Enemy" Big 12 team preview series rolls on! The focus of this episode is the conference's preeminent program: Oklahoma. College & Kimball's Jeff Burkhart @jeff_burkhart was joined by Kegan Reneau @KeganReneau of @RPMData to discuss the start of the Brent Venables era in Norman. Kegan tackled the following questions:

- Has the animosity surrounding Lincoln Riley's departure finally subsided?

- Were you surprised to see Oklahoma hire a defensive-minded coach in Brent Venables?

- What will new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby bring to the table from a schematic standpoint?

- How did fans react to Oklahoma needing to get down to the G5 ranks to find its starting quarterback?

- What were the most noticeable shortcomings on the defensive side of the ball during the Lincoln Riley era?

- How hands-on will Venables be when it comes to running the defense?

- Does Oklahoma reclaim the conference crown after its streak of SIX consecutive Big 12 titles ended in 2021?

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Know Your Enemy: KU

The 2022 "Know Your Enemy" Big 12 team preview series continues as College & Kimball's Jeff Burkhart @jeff_burkhart was joined by @AndyMitts12 of the Rock Chalk Pod to discuss the rebuild being done by Lance Leipold as he prepares to embark on his second season as KU's head coach. Andy offered his thoughts on the following questions:

- What caused the switch to flip at end of the '21 season?

- Has Jalon Daniels assumed the role of QB1 or will he be pushed by last year's starter Jason Bean?

- How does Kansas native and Minnesota transfer Ky Thomas fit into the picture at runningback?

- Who steps in to fill the void left by WR Kwamie Lassiter II?

- How many incoming transfers are expected to make immediate impacts on the defense?

- Do KU fans feel like Lance Leipold is "the guy" to lead this program out of the abyss?

- Can this KU team win multiple conference games for the first time since 2008?

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Know Your Enemy: Texas

We roll on with the 2022 "Know Your Enemy" Big 12 team preview series. In this episode, College & Kimball's Jeff Burkhart (@jeff_burkhart) was joined by @jonzoball of the Locked On Longhorns Podcast to preview Texas and a pivotal year 2 for head coach Steve Sarkisian. Jonathan addressed a number of questions including:

- Is there truly a battle for QB between Quinn Ewers and Hudson Card?

- Can Ewers help Texas hit another gear?

- Why is there no buzz surrounding potential first-round draft pick RB Bijan Robinson?

- Who will complement Xavier Worthy in receiving corps?

- Where is the glaring weakness on the offensive line?

- What was the biggest problem that plagued the defense in 2021?

- How did Moro Ojomo's comments in the spring impact the locker room?

- Has "team culture" turned the proverbial corner?

- What record makes Sarkisian's seat get hot heading into next offseason?

- Do the Longhorns have what it takes to make the Big 12 championship game?

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Know Your Enemy: Iowa State

The 2022 "Know Your Enemy" Big 12 team preview collection continues as College & Kimball's Jeff Burkhart (@jeff_burkhart) was joined by @WideRtNattyLt of the Iowa State SB Nation Fan Community to preview the upcoming season for K-State's Farmageddon companion, Iowa State. Levi tackled several questions including:

- How did fans respond to 7-6 in 2021 after appearing the Big 12 title game and winning the Fiesta Bowl the previous season?

- Is Iowa State upgrading at QB with Hunter Dekkers, who is replacing the school's all-time leading passer in Brock Purdy?

- How does Campbell intend to replace Breece Hall, who rushed for 20 touchdowns in 2021?

- How many new faces are we going to see on the defense?

- Are fans anxious with freshman expected to win the starting kicker and punter positions?

- With this team ranking as one of the lowest in returning production in all of FBS, what qualifies as a successful season?

- Do Iowa State fans still worry about Matt Campbell taking another job?

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Know Your Enemy: Texas Tech

The 2022 "Know Your Enemy" Big 12 team preview collection rolls on! College & Kimball's own Jeff Burkhart (@jeff_burkhart) was joined by Steven Rodriguez (@L_S_Rodriguez) and Tristan McGonigal (@TristyMc) of the Talkin Tech Podcast to discuss the beginning of the Joey McGuire era in Lubbock. The two offered their thoughts on the following questions:

- Why did the 25-24 loss to K-State lead to Matt Wells' dismissal?

- How Texas Tech fans feel after watching the Red Raiders thump former HC Mike Leach in the Liberty Bowl?

- What was the reaction to the "Air Raid" offense returning to Lubbock?

- Who has an edge in the QB battle between Oregon transfer Tyler Shough and Donovan Smith?

- What wide receivers are expected to pop in the new system?

- What are the expectations of the runningback tandem of SaRodorick Thompson and Tahj Brooks ?

- What does new DC Tim DeRuyter need to prioritize in rebuilding this Tech defense?

- Can McGuire and company make a bowl game in year 1?

- How long will McGuire get to reconstruct this roster?

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Know Your Enemy: TCU

The 2022 "Know Your Enemy" Big 12 team preview collection rolls on! College & Kimball's own Jeff Burkhart (@jeff_burkhart) was joined by Geoff Mitchell (@TheFrogCastTCU) of Horned Frog Blitz to discuss the start of a new era of TCU football. Geoff offered his thoughts on the following questions:

- How have TCU fans handled Gary Patterson taking a consultant position at the University of Texas?

- How was the hire of Sonny Dykes received?

- Who has a leg up in the QB battle between Chandler Morris and Max Duggan?

- How will the staff replace runningback Zach Evans after he transferred to Ole Miss?

- How much control will new head coach Sonny Dykes exert of the offense?

- What went wrong with the TCU defense last season?

- Is there concern with new defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie installing the 3-3-5 base?

- What are the Frogs' bowl prospects in year 1 under coach Dykes? 

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Know Your Enemy: Baylor

This is first installment of the 2022 "Know Your Enemy" Big 12 team preview collection. College & Kimball's own Jeff Burkhart (@jeff_burkhart) was joined by David Smoak (@DavidSmoak) of 365 Sports to preview the upcoming season for the defending Big 12 Champion Baylor Bears. Smoaky addressed the following questions:

- Do fans and alums feel the Baylor program is now on solid footing?

- Did Gerry Bohanon and Dave Aranda part on good terms?

- What has QB1 Blake Shapen focused on during the offseason?

- Who replaces the RB tandem of Tristan Ebner and Abram Smith?

- Has recruiting reached a point where the coaches feel they can confidently reload on defense?

- Does Baylor make it back to Arlington to defend its Big 12 title?

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The Way Forward: The Wildcats’ Den NIL Collective

A ground-breaking announcement was made with the inception of The Wildcats' Den NIL Collective. @jeff_burkhart caught up with the collective's co-founders, former wide receivers who played for College Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Snyder, @currysexton and @Lockettagency21

The group tackled the following questions:

- What is the function of the NIL collective?

- What impact do state laws have on the collective?

- Are the immediate plans for the NCAA to regulate NIL activities?

- What level of transparency is given to donors in terms of seeing how their dollars are utilized?

- How does the collective address prospective donors who have "pay for play" concerns?

- What does the collective's support structure look like?

- What level of contact will the collective have with the university, its coaches, and student athletes?

You can follow the collective on twitter at @WildcatsDenKSU. The collective's operations will begin in earnest on April 20, 2022. Prospective donors and business partners will be able to obtain learning materials on that date.

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Geaux Cats: Texas Bowl Champs

In the days leading up to kick off, there was a fair amount of uncertainty surrounding the status of the Texas Bowl. When toe met leather, there was no doubt. K-State was dominant from start to finish as it disposed of the SEC's LSU Tigers 42-20 at NRG Stadium in Houston. Chris Klieman claimed his first bowl victory as head coach of the Wildcats and became only the second coach in program history to win a bowl game. @jeff_burkhart, @JNutter and @Thekstatefan2 analyze the Wildcats decisive win, offer thoughts on (interim) OC Collin Klein's game plan, put QB Skylar Thompson's career into perspective, and much more!

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The Cats of 2022

After a short hiatus, the Podcats have returned! @jeff_burkhart, @JNutter and @Thekstatefan2 review the 14 prospects who formally signed during the early period, offer depth chart projections for 2022, discuss the offensive coordinator vacancy, and more!

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