It's easy to understand why this might be the golden era -- at least financially -- in the Big 12.
Even with a dearth of quality nonconference home matchups, Big 12 schools are posting boffo box-office numbers during the first three weeks of the season.
Texas has taken advantage of an expanded seating capacity at Darrell K. Royal/Texas Memorial Stadium to average 97,627 fans so far this season. That number is just a little shy of the stadium's new seating capacity of 98,053.
Nebraska has seen demand for tickets skyrocket since Bo Pelini took over, averaging 84,821 for its first three games -- more than 3,000 fans more than the seating capacity of Memorial Stadium. That's on top of record pay-per-view television purchase numbers for the first three games that earned the Cornhuskers more money than if the game had been broadcast by a conventional television network.
Oklahoma is in the midst of a 58-game home sellout streak. Texas A&M is averaging near capacity crowds of greater than 80,000 after two home games. And Missouri, Kansas and Texas A&M all have had unprecedented demand for early games despite relatively weak nonconference schedules.
But the best example of the demand for Big 12 tickets can be seen at Kansas and Texas Tech -- two schools that traditionally have struggled attracting fans for nonconference games against non-BCS opponents. That trend is completely gone as both schools have posted remarkable numbers early this season.
Here's a look at home Big 12 teams rank in average attendance and percent capacity after four weeks of the season:
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Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin joined ESPN.com in February 2008. He has covered the Big 12 since its inception, among a variety of beats during a 24-year career at the San Antonio Express-News. Griffin, a Memphis State University graduate, lives in San Antonio with his wife and son.
Tim Griffin joined ESPN.com in February 2008. He has covered the Big 12 since its inception, among a variety of beats during a 24-year career at the San Antonio Express-News. Griffin, a Memphis State University graduate, lives in San Antonio with his wife and son.
