The question should be asked to Big 12 officials and teams.
Is the new-look conference good enough to stage a conference championship game at AT&T Stadium, a facility capable of seating 105,000 spectators?
From early returns, the answer appeared obvious. Saturday’s attendance was listed at 55,889, but the announcement seemed a bit generous, especially at kickoff. Or was that tickets distributed?
The No. 15-ranked Sun Devils, picked in the preseason to place last in their first season in the Big XII, rolled past the No. 16 Cyclones, 45-19. They were paced by running back Cam Skattebo’s 170-yard, three-touchdown performance. Leading 24-10 at halftime, the Sun Devils put the game away by scoring 21 unanswered, third-quarter points.
Did the fans from both programs know something in advance?
To compare, Texas, in its final Big XII campaign, earned the 2023 conference crown before a record-setting attendance of 84,523.
There were hints the matchup was not gaining traction. Tickets went as low as $8 a day before the opening kickoff.
X (Twitter) fans wondered if the event would ever return to “Jerry World?”
This was not a good look for the new Big 12 conference …
there is no one here. #Big12Championship pic.twitter.com/9qCjgaCytH
— Rav (@TonyRavv) December 7, 2024
Accurate reporting by the Sun Devil Daily? …
Overheard a police officer directing traffic near the stadium that only around 30k people are expected to be in attendance today at AT&T Stadium for the Big 12 Championship Game.
— Sun Devil Daily (@SunDevilDaily) December 7, 2024
KCCI reported on the Cyclones’ fans who did make the trip …
"It's just a fanbase that deserves everything that it's getting right now."
KCCI's @scottreister caught up with @ChrisMWilliams today as thousands of Cyclone fans are gathering in Texas ahead of tomorrow's Big 12 Championship. pic.twitter.com/bfllRx0m6A
— KCCI News (@KCCINews) December 6, 2024
The Mountain West championship contest was sold out. Playing before 36,663 Friday night, the largest in conference history, the No. 10 Boise State Broncos handled the No. 20 UNLV Rebels to clinch a spot in the playoffs …
Sellout crowd of 36,663. Mountain West title game record. Well done, Bronco Nation. pic.twitter.com/DNKUHe5MZX
— B.J. Rains (@BJRains) December 7, 2024
The Orand and Black pointed out previous championship-game interest …
Hey new Big 12 teams/fans, this is what attendance normally looks like for the championship game. pic.twitter.com/OS2ESIwmsE
— The Orange and Black (@The_OrangeBlack) December 7, 2024
Skattebo earned Saturday’s accolade …
CROWN HIM 👑
Cam Skattebo is the 2024 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship Most Outstanding Player 👏 pic.twitter.com/21m3Fm4ucR
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 7, 2024
Saturday’s highlights …
The 2024 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship in (approximately) 60 seconds 🎥 pic.twitter.com/thyhCH653I
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 7, 2024
The Sun Devils and the fans that did show up celebrated their unexpected conference championship …
Soak it all in, Sun Devils 🏆#Big12FB | @ASUFootball pic.twitter.com/3Bb5zmCTrp
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 7, 2024
