Big 12 commissioner's comments at Texas Tech are a horrible look
Conference commissioners usually don't take sides between programs during the regular season, which is why Brett Yormark raised eyebrows on Wednesday.
At an event at Texas Tech, Yormark addressed Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire, saying, "I'm not going to put any pressure on you, but I'm going to be in Austin for [Texas Tech-Texas] ... and you better take care of business."
Texas Tech travels to Texas the day after Thanksgiving in a potentially pivotal regular-season finale for both teams. Texas (+100) is the favorite to win the Big 12 while Texas Tech (+1100) has the fourth-best odds, according to OddsChecker.
The Longhorns are leaving for the SEC following the 2023 season, and Yormark clearly isn't ready to accept his loss.
While it's one thing to prop up a remaining program, Yormark is taking things way too far by openly rooting against an active conference member.
A generous reading of his comments would be that they were made in jest, but even then it's a bad look. Any close call in that game that goes Texas Tech's way will get scrutinized, which is unfair to the Red Raiders. As they showed last season in Lubbock, they're good enough to beat Texas without the commissioner's sway.
Yormark also took a shot at Texas during Big 12 media days when he downplayed its (and Oklahoma's) contributions, saying he didn't believe the two powerhouse programs in the Big 12 have carried the conference. "They haven't been in our conference championship game the past few years," he said.
The Longhorns have a talented roster with quarterback Quinn Ewers, receiver Xavier Worthy and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders returning, as well as cornerback Jahdae Barron and linebacker Jaylan Ford.
Worthy and Sanders finished first and second on the team in receptions and touchdowns last season, respectively, and Ford led the team in tackles and interceptions. Brown had two picks and allowed 5.6 yards per reception while not giving up a touchdown in coverage, via Pro Football Focus.
Texas is projected to win the Big 12, according to ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI), which gives the Longhorns a 43.5 percent chance of finishing atop the conference and being part of the most awkward trophy ceremony imaginable.
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