Re-ranking all 16 Big 12 football 2025 schedules from easiest to toughest
Re-ranking all 16 Big 12 football 2025 schedules from easiest to toughest
ESPN's Bill Connelly released his post-spring SP+ rankings on Thursday, checking off another offseason period, the end of spring practice, and the transfer cycle.
The 2025 college football season will kick off in just over three months with a Week 0 Big 12 showdown between Iowa State and Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland. Colorado will open their campaign at home six days later against Georgia Tech.
In February, we used Connelly's initial SP+ rankings to decipher the difficulty of every Big 12 team's schedule. Here is the method we used to determine each team's strength of schedule:
Using the SP+ power rankings, each team is given a numerical value. The higher the number, the more challenging the matchup. We added every opponent's SP+ rating together to find a total opponent score. That number was divided by 12 (number of games) to find the average opponent score — a number that can then be compared to the SP+ leaderboard to see, on average, the caliber of opponent every team will face each week.
(Note: Home and away are not factored into the model, so this exercise does not account for every variable. Also, Football Championship Subdivision opponents are not listed in Connelly's SP+. Every FCS opponent was assessed a "minus-15" rating, likening them to the 120th-ranked team in the Football Bowl Subdivision.)
After every team's SP+ rating received an update following spring camp and the recent transfer portal window, here is an updated look at the Big 12's strength of schedule rankings for the 2025 season.
16. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Total Opponent Score: 14.2
Average Opponent Score: 1.18 (akin to the 55th-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 56.5 (Eighth-easiest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Utah (11.0)
Houston (0.9)
Kansas (3.0)
Arizona State (12.2)
Oklahoma State (0.9)
Kansas State (15.6)
BYU (11.5)
UCF (0.4)
West Virginia (1.0)
Nonconference Schedule:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff (FCS -15)
Kent State (-24.9)
Oregon State (-2.4)
Total Opponent Score: 15
Average Opponent Score: 1.25 (akin to the 57th-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 48.2 (the easiest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Colorado (2.6)
Texas Tech (11.8)
Oklahoma State (0.9)
Arizona (0.7)
Arizona State (12.2)
West Virginia (1.0)
UCF (0.4)
TCU (11.1)
Baylor (7.5)
Nonconference Schedule:
Stephen F. Austin (FCS -15)
Rice (-15.8)
Oregon State (-2.4)
Total Opponent Score: 21.5
Average Opponent Score: 1.79 (akin to the 55th-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 49.3 (Second-easiest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Colorado (2.6)
West Virginia (1.0)
Arizona (0.7)
Utah (11.0)
Iowa State (11.0)
Texas Tech (11.8)
TCU (11.1)
Cincinnati (-0.3)
UCF (0.4)
Nonconference Schedule:
Portland State (FCS -15)
Stanford (-6.2)
East Carolina (-6.6)
13. UCF Knights
Total Opponent Score: 28.5
Average Opponent Score: 2.38 (akin to the 53rd-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 51.9 (Fifth-easiest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Kansas State (15.6)
Kansas (3.0)
Cincinnati (-0.3)
Baylor (7.5)
West Virginia (1.0)
Houston (0.9)
Texas Tech (11.8)
Oklahoma State (0.9)
BYU (11.5)
Nonconference Schedule:
Jacksonville State (-10.4)
North Carolina A&T (FCS -15)
North Carolina (2.0)
Total Opponent Score: 34
Average Opponent Score: 2.83 (akin to the 52nd-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 57.6 (Sixth-toughest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Baylor (7.5)
TCU (11.1)
Utah (11.0)
Texas Tech (11.8)
Houston (0.9)
Iowa State (11.0)
West Virginia (1.0)
Colorado (2.6)
Arizona (0.7)
Nonconference Schedule:
Northern Arizona (FCS -15)
Mississippi State (-1.4)
Texas State (-7.2)
Total Opponent Score: 37.3
Average Opponent Score: 3.11 (akin to the 49th-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 57.1 (Eighth-toughest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Kansas (3.0)
Iowa State (11.0)
UCF (0.4)
Oklahoma State (0.9)
Baylor (7.5)
Utah (11.0)
Arizona (0.7)
BYU (11.5)
TCU (11.1)
Nonconference Schedule:
Nebraska (8.9)
Bowling Green (-13.7)
Northwestern State (FCS -15)
Total Opponent Score: 38.4
Average Opponent Score: 3.2 (akin to the 49th-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 49.3 (Third-easiest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Iowa State (11.0)
Oklahoma State (0.9)
BYU (11.5)
Houston (0.9)
Colorado (2.6)
Kansas (3.0)
Cincinnati (-0.3)
Baylor (7.5)
Arizona State (12.2)
Nonconference Schedule:
Hawaii (-11.5)
Weber State (FCS -15)
Kansas State (15.6)
9. Utah Utes
Total Opponent Score: 42
Average Opponent Score: 3.5 (akin to the 47th-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 64.9 (Second-toughest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Texas Tech (11.8)
West Virginia (1.0)
Arizona State (12.2)
BYU (11.5)
Colorado (2.6)
Cincinnati (-0.3)
Baylor (7.5)
Kansas State (15.6)
Kansas (3.0)
Nonconference Schedule:
UCLA (2.9)
Cal Poly (FCS -15)
Wyoming (-10.8)
Total Opponent Score: 43.4
Average Opponent Score: 3.61 (akin to the 47th-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 52.1 (sixth-easiest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
West Virginia (1.0)
Cincinnati (-0.3)
UCF (0.4)
Texas Tech (11.8)
Kansas State (15.6)
Oklahoma State (0.9)
Arizona (0.7)
Iowa State (11.0)
Utah (11.0)
Nonconference Schedule:
Fresno State (-6.2)
Wagner (FCS -15)
Missouri (12.5)
Total Opponent Score: 43.8
Average Opponent Score: 3.65 (akin to the 47th-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 57.3 (Seventh-toughest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Kansas State (15.6)
Arizona (0.7)
Cincinnati (-0.3)
Colorado (2.6)
BYU (11.5)
Arizona State (12.2)
TCU (11.1)
Kansas (3.0)
Oklahoma State (0.9)
Nonconference Schedule:
South Dakota (FCS -15)
Iowa (11.4)
Arkansas State (-9.9)
Total Opponent Score: 44.7
Average Opponent Score: 3.72 (akin to the 47th-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 50.6 (Fourth-easiest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Baylor (7.5)
Arizona (0.7)
Houston (0.9)
Cincinnati (-0.3)
Texas Tech (11.8)
Kansas (3.0)
Kansas State (15.6)
UCF (0.4)
Iowa State (11.0)
Nonconference Schedule:
UT Martin (FCS -15)
Oregon (24.7)
Tulsa (-15.6)
Total Opponent Score: 45.4
Average Opponent Score: 3.3 (akin to the 51st-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 60.3 (Fifth-toughest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Iowa State (11.0)
UCF (0.4)
Baylor (7.5)
West Virginia (1.0)
TCU (11.1)
Kansas (3.0)
Texas Tech (11.8)
Oklahoma State (0.9)
Utah (11.0)
Colorado (2.6)
Nonconference Schedule:
North Dakota (FCS -15)
Army (-0.6)
Arizona (0.7)
Total Opponent Score: 48.5
Average Opponent Score: 4.04 (akin to the 47th-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 64.5 (Third-toughest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Kansas (3.0)
Utah (11.0)
BYU (11.5)
UCF (0.4)
TCU (11.1)
Houston (0.9)
Colorado (2.6)
Arizona State (12.2)
Texas Tech (11.8)
Nonconference Schedule:
Robert Morris (FCS -15)
Ohio (-4.4)
Pittsburgh (3.4)
Total Opponent Score: 55.9
Average Opponent Score: 4.65 (akin to the 46th-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 75 (First -- the toughest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Houston (0.9)
BYU (11.5)
TCU (11.1)
Iowa State (11.0)
Utah (11.0)
Arizona (0.7)
West Virginia (1.0)
Arizona State (12.2)
Kansas State (15.6)
Nonconference Schedule:
Georgia Tech (4.7)
Delaware (FCS -13)
Wyoming (-10.8)
2. TCU Horned Frogs
Total Opponent Score: 62.1
Average Opponent Score: 5.17 (akin to the 41st-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 62 (Fourth-toughest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Arizona State (12.2)
Colorado (2.6)
Kansas State (15.6)
Baylor (7.5)
West Virginia (1.0)
Iowa State (11.0)
BYU (11.5)
Houston (0.9)
Cincinnati (-0.3)
Nonconference Schedule:
North Carolina (2.0)
Abilene Christian (FCS -15)
SMU (13.1)
1. Baylor Bears
Total Opponent Score: 62.4
Average Opponent Score: 5.2 (akin to the 41st-best team in the country)
Conference Schedule Score: 52.5 (Seventh-easiest conference schedule)
Conference Schedule (with SP+ rating):
Arizona State (12.2)
Oklahoma State (0.9)
Kansas State (15.6)
TCU (11.1)
Cincinnati (-0.3)
UCF (0.4)
Utah (11.0)
Arizona (0.7)
Houston (0.9)
Nonconference Schedule:
Auburn (11.8)
SMU (13.1)
Samford (FCS -15)
Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Nuggets Predicted to Trade Star Forward in 3-Team Mock Trade Involving Lakers, Nets
Nuggets Predicted to Trade Star Forward in 3-Team Mock Trade Involving Lakers, Nets originally appeared on Athlon Sports. NBA trade rumors have begun to the heat up with the offseason right around the corner as teams look to upgrade their roster this summer. Advertisement One team that has seen their fair share of trade rumors is the Denver Nuggets who may end up making some moves this summer after being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Of course, the Nuggets are trying to capitalize on Nikola Jokic's prime as they try to win another championship but they may need to retool their roster around the three-time MVP to become contenders once again. Apr 11, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) reacts before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Because of this, many of the Nuggets' players have been in trade rumors but the main one that continues to talked about is their star forward Michael Porter Jr. Porter Jr. put together a career-best season this year but with Denver lacking assets, he could be their main part of a package to upgrade their roster. Advertisement With this in mind, Sports Illustrated's Liam Willerup recently proposed a three-team mock trade that includes the Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets. In the trade, Willerup has Denver receiving Dalton Knecht and Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles receiving Nicolas Claxton and Brooklyn receiving Porter Jr. and a 2031 first-round pick via the Lakers. Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton takes a rebound away from Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji during their game at Scotiabank Arena on March 25, Hamilton-Imagn Images This is an interesting trade but one that could benefit all three teams involved. For the Lakers, they would complete their goal of adding a new starting center and they would receive a solid one in Claxton. For the Nets, they would add a potential star in the making in Porter Jr. who would finally be the focal point on offense. Advertisement Denver would also add some key pieces with Hachimura taking over Porter Jr.'s spot while also adding a young bench piece in Knecht to upgrade their second unit offensively. Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht.© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images While this trade may work well for all the teams involved, the Nuggets have expressed no interest in moving on from Porter Jr. this summer but they may have to if they want to become title contenders once again. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Nuggets Listed as Favorites to Land All-Defensive Wing Behind Lakers, Mavericks
Nuggets Listed as Favorites to Land All-Defensive Wing Behind Lakers, Mavericks originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Denver Nuggets, behind Nikola Jokic, are expected to compete in the Western Conference for the next several years despite the lack of All-Star talent around him. Advertisement Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, and Michael Porter Jr. are all quality players, although none of them are a reliable true second option on a championship team, especially on the defensive end of the floor. Jokic has the uncanny ability to make anyone around him suddenly become one of the better scorers in the league, although his impact on the defensive end is simply not on par with his offensive skillset. As a result, the Nuggets are expected to try and make an offseason move to bolster their defense. Jan 12, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones (5) controls the ball ahead of Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (1) in the third quarter at Ball Arena. © Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Denver has very limited cap space and doesn't boast the best in the way of trade assets, although they have the fifth-best odds to land Herb Jones in a trade this summer, according to offshore sportsbook Bovada. Advertisement Other teams in the mix include the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, who have better trade packages available to land the All-Defensive forward. The Nuggets' payroll is very top-heavy, and they don't exactly boast expiring contracts that would be appealing to the rebuilding New Orleans Pelicans. They could send a package centered around Porter Jr., although the Pelicans would then need to match his salary. Jones averaged 11 points on 41.8 percent shooting from deep in 2023-24, his last healthy season. He played only 20 games last season as injuries plagued New Orleans, although he is generally seen as the very best perimeter defender in the NBA. Advertisement Unless Denver can shed some salary in a move before adding Jones, expect the Lakers and Mavericks, as well as the Spurs and Rockets, to remain the favorites. Check out the Inside the Nuggets homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles. Related: David Adelman Reveals What Nuggets Must Add in Offseason Related: Denver Nuggets Get Major Coaching News on Friday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
Injured Francisco Lindor pinch hits in 9th, delivers 2-run double as Mets beat Rockies 4-2
DENVER (AP) — Pinch-hitter Francisco Lindor, broken toe and all, hit a go-ahead two-run double in the ninth inning and the New York Mets beat the Colorado Rockies 4-2 on Friday night. Lindor lined a cutter from reliever Zach Agnos (0-2) into right field, scoring Juan Soto from second. Pete Alonso used a nifty slide on the play to avoid the tag and give the Mets a 4-2 lead. Lindor was questionable to play at all this weekend after his right pinky toe was broken by a pitch in the first inning on Wednesday. Alonso also added a two-run double in the seventh on a night the Mets were 2 of 15 with runners in scoring position. Ryne Stanek (2-4) pitched out of a no-out, bases loaded jam in the eighth courtesy of an unassisted double play by Brett Baty at third and a strikeout. Edwin Díaz turned in a perfect ninth for his 14th save. Mickey Moniak had an RBI single in the seventh and a solo homer off Mets starter Kodai Senga in the third. The Rockies saw their three-game winning streak halted after sweeping the Marlins in Miami. Shortstop Ryan Ritter lined a triple in his major league debut. Antonio Senzatela has scuffled to get loose at times in the first this season. So the Rockies employed a new strategy — they had Ryan Rolison open the game. Senzatela took the mound in the second. He pitched four scoreless innings despite surrendering three hits and four walks. Ronny Mauricio had a double in eighth, his first hit since being called up Tuesday. Key Moment The Mets had a successful challenge in the fifth at home plate that resulted in a crucial out. Key Stat The Mets left 12 runners on base. Up Next The Mets will throw right Clay Holmes (6-3, 3.07 ERA) on Saturday, while the Rockies go with lefty Carson Palmquist (0-4, 8.50) . ___ AP MLB:
