PAC 12 style of play vs BIG 12

On the Utah fans discrediting the Big 12, you’re right it’s not and wasn’t ever a good look. But remember there’s history there. In the years leading up to the end of the PAC-12, there were a lot of comparisons to the other conferences and the Big-12 and other CFB fans minimized any accomplishments from the PAC-12 saying it was the weakest conference. Because Utah was one of the top teams for the latter half of the PAC-12, you can see why some fans would take offense to that.

Much different recruiting base. The PAC 12 had California Arizona Utah Oregon and Washington and now Texas as their hotspots. Lots of inner city and large numbers to pick from. More speed and athleticism in skill positions. The Big12 has a Texas-Midwest recruiting. More physical and hard working easy to coach recruits. Similar to what Utah has done in the past.

Last year Colorado (pac12) was the only team that our defense struggled with. Our defense matches better with Big12 offenses. Where we struggled was on offense. Our small frail WR were unable to get through the contact allowed on the outside. More physical play on the d- line and linebackers nullified our power run game. Hopefully the spread offense and a quarterback that can run and extend plays where the receivers can get separation will help. Losing a bigger receiver like Williams really hurts. I expect more motion and roll out pass run options which is what the pac12 did to give us problems defensively.

Is the Big XII really known for defense first and smashmouth offensive football?

Again the whole disrespect thing- it’s a fine conference! Possibly better than the pac 12 was – It just doesn’t have the locations that people want to travel to- Berkeley, Palo Alto, Pasadena, L.a, Seattle. All are more appealing than Big 12 campus locations. Thus the truck stop conference.
It feels like a super sensitive issue for the people of the big12.

I do not and have never really thought the Big 12 was a conference with strong defenses. Even when they had Oklahoma and Texas those teams traditionally tried to outscore everyone. I do think the Pac 12 has traditionally had better QBs but I think the overall offenses of the Big 12 in the past were largely a little better and more explosive. The only team last year that really beat our defense was Colorado. I do not believe ASU beat our defense as much as our offense just disintegrated into thin air with the Cam issues in that game.

Our defense was ranked #2 overall in the conference last season with BYU being ranked #1. If you consider some of the defenses that USC, Oregon, Washington, Oregon State, Stanford, and UCLA put together over our years in the Pac 12, I just cannot say the Big 12 was a better defensive conference at all. It is even more glaring when you look at the amount of top pro defenders from the Pac 12 are still playin in the league compared to the Big 12.

As for the truck stop conference, I really hated it when some fans used that term. Yes, the Pac 12 has way more attractive markets to travel to, but the passion for football is much stronger in the Big 12. I think many Utah fans were taken back a bit by this passion because we all noticed the lack of it in most Pac 12 cities and campuses. We were way more passionate than most of the Pac 12 fans and in the Big 12 we are just one of many passionate fan bases.