Big 12 name change: Brett Yormark's FBS powerhouse moots for Allstate 12 amid rumors of conference realignment plans

The Big 12 conference is one of the so-called "power four" conferences that has given college football so many remarkable players and events throughout its history. However, the 2024 season will be different compared to all the others that have preceded it.

The Big 12, like all the major conferences, will be gaining some new programs. Most of these came from the Pac-12 conference. But, this will not be the only thing that will change this season. Ross Dellenger reported that the Big 12 is exploring the possibility of partnering with insurance company Allstate for the naming rights, which can potentially result in the conference being renamed the "Allstate Conference" to reflect the deal.

This deal would change the trajectory of college sports, whose conferences have generally stayed away from any form of naming rights deals.

The deal between Allstate and the Big 12 has been reported to be worth between $30-$50 million, which is something that the Big 12 is in serious need of.

The Big 12 needs to compete with the Big Ten and SEC, the two biggest athletic conferences in college sports. As a result of the mass realignment that has been seen over the last couple of years, these two conferences feature the best programs and could be described as "Super Conferences."

This has a negative effect on the Big 12, who are losing ground to these conferences, both financially and on the field.

One of the best ways to attempt to counteract this is to simply increase the amount of money going into the conference. The naming rights deal can help with this. Brett Yormark, commissioner of the Big 12 Conference, will have some big decisions to make to take the conference to new heights.

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Which teams could win the Big 12 this year?

The reigning Big 12 champions, the Texas Longhorns, will not be defending their championship this season as they are no longer part of the Big 12, and are set to join the SEC by the end of the month. Without Texas, which programs could be in contention to win the Big 12 this year?

One contender will be the Oklahoma State Cowboys. They made the conference championship game last season and will want to do it again. Their key player is running back Ollie Gordon Jr., and if he remains healthy, the Cowboys will be a strong opponent for the conference.

Another program that could make its way to the championship game is the Kansas State Wildcats. They have been consistently one of the stronger teams in the conference. Now, without the Longhorns, they should be able to make a solid challenge for the title.

The champions could come from one of the expansion teams as well. The most likely contender out of this group is the Utah Utes, who were a strong "middle power" in the Pac-12.

They should be one of the stronger teams coming into the Big 12. Playing generally weaker opposition than in the Pac-12 should help them make a serious run for the championship game.