After weeks of lawsuits, outrage and conference infighting surrounding Brendan Sorsby's eligibility, the Texas Tech quarterback has parted ways with the Red Raiders. His departure changes the Big 12 race and means Oklahoma State won't face him in Stillwater.
Can Oklahoma State beat Texas Tech now without Sorsby?
For weeks, Brendan Sorsby sat at the center of one of the strangest stories college football has seen.
The former Cincinnati quarterback transferred to Texas Tech and quickly became one of the biggest additions in the country. After being ruled ineligible because of gambling violations stemming from his time at Indiana, Sorsby successfully challenged the decision in court and was granted an injunction allowing him to play this season.
That ruling sent shockwaves throughout college football.
Reports surfaced that Big 12 administrators had serious discussions about potential sanctions against Texas Tech. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned the conference that any punishment against the Red Raiders would be unlawful, leading to the Big 12 filing suit against both the state of Texas and Paxton.
For a moment, it appeared the conference itself was on the verge of civil war.
And then, just like that, everything changed.
Sorsby announced he was parting ways with Texas Tech and intends to pursue an NFL opportunity. While reports indicate he plans to enter a supplemental draft if one is held, the NFL declined to comment on the situation and there has not been a supplemental draft in several years.
Ironically, after months of controversy involving the NCAA, courts, attorneys general and conference infighting, the biggest development came from Sorsby himself.
He simply decided to walk away.
For Oklahoma State, the timing is significant.
The Cowboys are scheduled to host Texas Tech on Nov. 14 in what many expected to be one of the biggest games of the season. With Sorsby under center, many viewed the Red Raiders as the favorites to win the Big 12. Without him, the conference suddenly looks much more open.
That's good news for a Cowboys program entering the first season of the Eric Morris era with growing momentum behind quarterback Drew Mestemaker and an offense that national analysts continue to praise.
Perhaps the biggest irony of all is that after weeks of lawsuits, outrage and endless debate, the issue that threatened to divide the Big 12 resolved itself in the most unexpected way possible.
Not through the courts.
Not through the NCAA.
Not through conference sanctions.
But because the player at the center of it all chose a different path.
And when Texas Tech comes to Stillwater this November, the quarterback who sparked one of the most bizarre stories of the offseason won't be under center. It will be Will Hammond and a more much winnable game and a much better road to a Big 12 Championship.
