Connect with us

Published

on

When Oklahoma and Texas leave the Big 12 for the SEC next year, it will obviously impact ticket sales for their soon-to-be former conference mates. The conference’s new media rights deal, though solid, doesn’t have quite the same ceiling as it would have with its longtime big dogs.

On the field, though, the conference has already moved on. Texas hasn’t made the Big 12 championship since 2018, and while OU enjoyed a late-2010s dynasty, winning six straight conference titles from 2015 to ’20, the Sooners have fallen short of the title game for two straight years. In the absence of either the Sooners or Longhorns, four different teams have taken part in two absolute classics — Baylor‘s 21-16, by-a-millimeter win over Oklahoma State in 2021 and Kansas State‘s overtime victory over TCU last December.

This could be the new normal: two teams using the kiss of the close-games god to prevail over loads of similarly talented (and monied) teams, then putting on a classic at Jerry World in Arlington, Texas. There are worse fates. But before the two blueblood programs leave, they’re going to try to lord over the Big 12 one last time. Texas and OU are both projected in the top 15 in both SP+ and FPI, and either or both could put together a gaudy record if they’re able to make peace with the aforementioned god of close games.

In games decided by more than one score last year (excluding their lopsided game against each other), the Horns and Sooners went a combined 11-1. That’s customary of good teams. But in one-score finishes? They were an incredible 2-10. The wackiness of their final Big 12 title race could come down to just how much they progress toward the mean in these games.

Last week we previewed the seven Big 12 teams that live outside of Oklahoma or Texas. Now let’s talk about the conference’s geographical heart.

Every week through the offseason, Bill Connelly will preview another division from the Group of 5 and Power 5 exclusively for ESPN+, ultimately including all 133 FBS teams. The previews will include 2022 breakdowns, 2023 previews and burning questions for each team.

Continue Reading

Sports

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers (May 11, 2025) Live Score – ESPN

Published

on

By

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers (May 11, 2025) Live Score - ESPN

— Mikko Rantanen had a goal and two assists, including on the tiebreaking goal by Alexander Petrovic that was finally confirmed after a lengthy review as the Dallas Stars beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 on Sunday to take 2-1 lead in the second-round…

Continue Reading

Sports

Day after 21-0 loss, Rockies fire manager Black

Published

on

By

Day after 21-0 loss, Rockies fire manager Black

DENVER — The Colorado Rockies fired manager Bud Black on Sunday, one day after losing by 21 runs to the San Diego Padres at Coors Field.

The Rockies are off to a major-league-worst 7-33 start even after defeating the Padres 9-3 on Sunday to salvage one game in the home series and snap an eight-game skid. Third-base coach Warren Schaeffer will serve as interim manager for the rest of the season, and hitting coach Clint Hurdle will be the interim bench coach.

The Rockies, who also fired bench coach Mike Redmond, will open a road trip Monday night against the Texas Rangers and try to turn a corner. Even with Sunday’s victory, Colorado has the worst 40-game start since the 1988 Baltimore Orioles, who were 6-34.

“Our play so far this season, especially coming off the last two seasons, has been unacceptable. Our fans deserve better, and we are capable of better,” Rockies owner, chairman and CEO Dick Monfort said in a statement. “While we all share responsibility in how this season has played out, these changes are necessary. We will use the remainder of 2025 to improve where we can on the field and to evaluate all areas of our operation so we can properly turn the page into the next chapter of Rockies Baseball.”

Black was in his ninth year as Rockies manager and had a career record with Colorado of 544-690. He is the winningest manager in franchise history.

Before Saturday night’s 21-0 drubbing, Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt backed Black, telling The Denver Post that he believed the season still could be turned around.

“I think our guys are still playing hard, and that’s what I look at,” Schmidt told the Post. “Guys are working hard every day; they come with energy, for the most part. I don’t think we are [at that point of firing Black]. Guys still believe in what we are doing and where we are headed. We are all frustrated.”

Schmidt said he was looking for “growth” as the season goes along.

“I feel for the fans; I feel for the people around here,” he said. “I know we are better than we have played, but we are not good right now. We have to battle through it and get to the other side. There are still a lot of games left. I think we can turn it around, but it’s going to take a whole group to do it. The guys are working to get better.”

Colorado was 19½ games out of first place in the NL West before Sunday’s win. The Rockies have been outscored by 128 runs this season. The only team since 1900 with a worse run differential through 40 games was the 2023 Oakland Athletics (-144).

The seventh manager in team history, Black initially found success with Colorado when he led the Rockies to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2017 and 2018. They haven’t finished with a winning record since and are coming off two straight 100-loss seasons. Colorado has a .353 winning percentage since 2023.

Black’s contract was set to expire after the season. He signed a one-year extension in October.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Continue Reading

Sports

Follow live: Jets, Stars battle in Game 3 as series shifts to Dallas

Published

on

By

null

Continue Reading

Trending