PHOENIX -- Business and self-help gurus say the first step in solving a problem is acknowledging you have one.
Well, the Big 12 has an NFL draft problem, something that became apparent last week, when just 14 players were taken. Yes, the conference is aware of the problem. Opinions differ on the severity and whether it's merely a cyclical downturn or something chronic.
Regardless, the inability to produce, recruit and develop NFL talent on par with their power conference brethren can't be ignored.
"We don't want to lose that battle nationally," said Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury, whose quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, was the only Big 12 player taken in the first round.