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USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Top 15 must-see Big 12 conference football games in 2025
Top 15 must-see Big 12 conference football games in 2025 The dog days of summer are here, which can only mean one thing: college football is almost back. With three months left before the opening of the season, the spring transfer portal is all but closed and rosters are finalized. So let's look ahead to the best games the Big 12 Conference has to offer in 2025. A few of the factors used to determine which games are the best were: ESPN's SP+, the venue, historic rivalries and the teams' matchup in 2024. This list will be in chronological order and focus purely on Big 12 conference play, with no out-of-conference games considered. One of the longest-standing rivalries in college football kicks off the season in Dublin, Ireland. Kansas State was the No. 1 team in the Big 12 based on ESPN's SP+ list released after spring practices. It will be tested early with an up-and-coming Iowa State team fresh off a loss in the Big 12 championship game. This duel will feature two of the conference's best quarterbacks, the Wildcats' Avery Johnson and the Cyclones' Rocco Becht. Although not technically a conference game, the two teams should be two of the best in the Big 12 and this game should show that. Week 4: Texas Tech at Utah The Red Raiders head to Rice-Eccles Stadium for the first time in a showdown between two of the Big 12's top contenders. Texas Tech's Behren Morton leads his team, fresh off its best season since 2022, into the intimidating home environment of a rebounding Utes squad. After struggling mightily last season, the Utes ranked No. 6 in the Big 12 by ESPN's SP+ post-spring and feature a rejuvenated core. This matchup will be the first true test for each team, and how they respond will be critical for the rest of their seasons. Week 5: BYU at Colorado While a game most Colorado fans would prefer to forget, the Buffaloes get their chance at revenge early in 2025. BYU looks to be the more promising team on paper, ranked No. 4 in the Big 12 by ESPN's SP+ and featuring talented returners such as linebacker Isaiah Glasker. The current unknowns of Colorado's roster add intrigue to this matchup, which will be played under the lights at Folsom Field and on ESPN. Week 6: Colorado at TCU Colorado's 2023 victory in Fort Worth thrust the Buffaloes into the national spotlight, thanks to Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter's miraculous debut. However, two years later, these two teams look entirely different, and this TCU team has the talent to compete for a Big 12 title. The Buffaloes face two significant tests back-to-back, with TCU slotted at No. 5 in the Big 12 by ESPN's SP+ rankings, there's certainly not a lack of interest here. The No. 10 Buffaloes will be tasked with another upset, but they've proven to like playing spoiler in Texas. Week 7: Arizona State at Utah An old Pac-12 series is renewed, taking us back to Rice-Eccles Stadium for the second time on this list. Utah is forced to run a brutal schedule in 2025. Luckily, it will get the new-look Arizona State team at home. The defending conference champion Sun Devils will have to rebuild their offense without bowling ball and star running back Cam Skattebo, but they have the talent to do it. This will be one of the most hostile environments Arizona State will face all season, revealing whether the Sun Devils have a chance to repeat in the Big 12. Week 8: Baylor at TCU First played in 1899, this showdown carries its weight in history alone and features two potential breakout teams in the Big 12. Baylor surged late last season, led by transfer quarterback Sawyer Robinson, and carries a top-25 offense into 2025, according to ESPN's SP+ rankings. TCU has a chance to reclaim the Bluebonnet Battle title after a heartbreaking three-point defeat in 2024. Two high-powered offenses are sure to deliver a shootout reminiscent of the old Big 12. Week 8: Utah at BYU After dominating the Holy War for nine years, Utah is in the midst of a two-year losing streak to its in-state rivals. A controversial penalty and game-winning 44-yard field goal from last season will weigh heavily on the Utes, bringing more animosity to this one. Two teams dead set on taking a wide-open conference with gasoline sprinkled on the rivalry's fire, this game should be pure cinema for every college football fan to enjoy. Week 9: Kansas State at Kansas The in-state rivalries continue, this time in Kansas for the Sunflower Showdown. The Wildcats have owned this game since 2009 and look to extend their winning streak to 17 over the Jayhawks. Kansas will need an almost perfect game from star quarterback Jalon Daniels if it wants to take down the expected top team in the conference. Ranked at No. 8 in the Big 12 by ESPN's SP+, Daniels and the Jayhawks will have a chance with home-field advantage to put an end to the Wildcats' reign of terror. Week 10: Arizona State at Iowa State The Cyclones play host to the Sun Devils, who decimated them in the conference championship game last season. This game is sure to contain a bundle of Big 12 implications. While Iowa State ranks No. 7 in the Big 12 to Arizona State's No. 2 in ESPN's SP+, Matt Campbell routinely gets his teams to outplay expectations. Another tough environment for the Sun Devils will test them. They play a majority of their games at home this season. Late November weather in the Midwest throws another wrench into a matchup filled with intrigue. Week 12: Utah at Baylor Utah's journey through their Big 12 schedule takes them to Waco, Texas, to face Baylor. The Bears are still in search of their first victory over the Utes in school history, and this game should have massive implications in the Big 12. While these two teams are similarly rated by ESPN's SP, though for completely different reasons. Utah brings a staunch defense, ranked No. 16 in the country, while Baylor will want to air it out with their offense. Week 12: Kansas State at Oklahoma State Oklahoma State is facing a nearly total rebuild of its roster, and it isn't projected to be very good this season. It is No. 12 in the Big 12 by ESPN's SP+ ranking. What makes this matchup interesting is Kansas State, a championship favorite, is facing a rowdy Boone Pickens Stadium crowd in Stillwater. Veteran coach Mike Gundy should be able to get his Cowboys up for what feels like a classic trap game for the Wildcats. Kansas State took care of business last season with a 20-point blowout, but road games late in the season are always tough. Week 14: Texas Tech at West Virginia The first of three Week 14 games to make this list sees the Mountaineers play host to a potential championship contender in the final week of the season. West Virginia might not be ready for a Big 12 title run, ranked No. 11 in the Big 12 by ESPN's SP+, but with a senior day crowd behind them, it's a potential upset. Texas Tech routed the Mountaineers last season, cooking up a 50-burger for their fans to enjoy, so while there's potential for an upset here, this might be the farthest reach on the list. Week 14: Arizona at Arizona State The Sun Devils destroyed the Wildcats in the 2024 Territorial Cup, so this is yet another upset pick in the final week of the season. Arizona isn't projected to do much in 2025 under coach Brent Brennan, falling to No. 14 in the Big 12 by ESPN's SP+, but it has talent on the roster. The Wildcats will need junior quarterback Noah Fifita to take a big jump if they want to capitalize on a Sun Devils team that will be walking into the final week of the season with plenty of battle scars. If Arizona State sleepwalks into this matchup thinking of their Big 12 championship hopes, there's potential for a great game. Week 14: Colorado at Kansas State In a matchup that proved to be a rock fight last season, the Buffaloes get another crack at a Wildcats team that will be near the top of the conference. The Buffaloes' newly revamped defense will have had time to settle in and potentially give Johnson's Wildcats some fits in a cold-weather game. Colorado's offense should have less trouble with the cold, leaning more on its running ability with either Kaidon Salter or Julian Lewis under center. The Buffs kept the Wildcats on the ropes last season without Hunter, and it's possible this game could have a trip to the Big 12 championship game on the line. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
06-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Big 12 power rankings highlight chaotic race as college football spring practice opens
Big 12 power rankings highlight chaotic race as college football spring practice opens Show Caption Hide Caption US LBM Coaches Poll: Ohio State claims top spot after national title run See where your team landed in the final US LBM Coaches Poll ranking of the year. Sports Pulse Put four teams in a hat — shoot, put six or even seven teams in a hat — and then draw at random to pick which team leads the Big 12 heading into spring practice. It's a guessing game at this point. Kansas State, Arizona State? Kansas, Brigham Young, Iowa State? What about Texas Tech? Utah? Could Colorado take another leap under Deion Sanders? More so than any other Power Four league, the Big 12 will open the spring with a wide-open race that could make this the most interesting conference in the Bowl Subdivision. But what the Big 12 lacks is one surefire bet to make the playoff and contend for the national championship. Here's our pre-spring rankings for the conference: 1. Kansas State It boils down to this: In his second season as the team's starter, quarterback Avery Johnson has to be more consistent if the Wildcats want end atop the conference. The pieces are in place should Kansas State's transfer class boost a defense that was hit or miss in 2024. The offense will benefit from the return of running back Dylan Edwards, who had 196 yards on the ground in the Wildcats' bowl game with departed starter DJ Giddens opting out. 2. Arizona State The defending conference champions are a threat to get back into the College Football Playoff and advance deeper than last season's exit in the quarterfinals. Nearly every position brings back experience and depth minus running back, where Cam Skattebo's departure leaves a huge void. That gives the opportunity for quarterback Sam Leavitt to lead the offense. SPRING POWER RANKINGS: Big Ten | SEC | ACC | Big 12 LOOKING AHEAD: Our way-too-early college football Top 25 for 2025 3. Kansas Jalon Daniels is back at quarterback, and the Jayhawks will need him to deliver given the changes elsewhere on the offensive side of the ball. The biggest reason for optimism comes from how close this team was to having another Top 25 finish after six single-possession losses last season. That coincided with better play from Daniels after a slow start. 4. Brigham Young This could be Kalani Sitake's best team. The defense that led the Big 12 in scoring and total defense last season has to blend in several transfers to stay near the top of the conference. Offensively, the Cougars bring back quarterback Jake Retzlaff, a strong running back group and wide receiver Chase Roberts. 5. Iowa State The schedule includes games against each of the four teams ranked higher than Iowa State in our pre-spring rankings, though all four come in Ames. Add in a third-year starting quarterback Rocco Becht and coach Matt Campbell's track record to get a team very capable of winning the Big 12 and earning a playoff spot. 6. Texas Tech Tech's hopes hinge on how quickly and how deftly coach Joey McGuire blends in what may be the best transfer class in the FBS. This group will join established standouts such as quarterback Behren Morton and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez to give the Red Raiders a roster that on paper looks capable of double-digit wins. 7. TCU Don't worry about the offense. Why would you? Josh Hoover should be among the top quarterbacks in the Big 12 after throwing for 27 touchdowns last season. What TCU needs is more development on defense after that unit began to turn a corner in the second half under coordinator Andy Avalos. If Avalos can continue that trend, the Horned Frogs could be dangerous. 8. Utah Meanwhile, Utah's offense is a wild card with the hiring of former New Mexico coordinator Jason Beck and his quarterback from last year, Devon Dampier. If this thing clicks, the Utes might be the most physical team in the conference. And if the offense does rebound to join a solid defense, Utah could jump back toward nine or more wins. 9. Baylor Baylor looks to carry over a six-game winning streak that saw the Bears playing as well as any team in the Big 12. One clear positive is the rapport between offensive coordinator Jake Spavital and quarterback Sawyer Robertson, a definite all-conference contender. Baylor is yet another team capable of playing for the conference championship. 10. Colorado This will be an interesting case study for Deion Sanders' style of roster management. The Buffaloes won't have stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, two of the most irreplaceable players in the FBS. But the offense could remain efficient should new quarterback Kaidon Salter from Liberty be helped by a stronger running game. The baseline should be six or seven wins. 11. Houston That Houston is ready to add two wins and get into the postseason should be unsurprising to anyone familiar with coach Willie Fritz's career. With a defense that's already in the top half of the Big 12 and an offense that's set to be led by a high-profile quarterback transfer in Connor Weigman, the Cougars are ahead of schedule. 12. Oklahoma State Oklahoma State will be better, since the Cowboys really can't get worse after going winless in league play last season. Given the uncertainty that dots the roster, picking Oklahoma State to get back to the postseason is pretty much a testament to the work coach Mike Gundy has done since taking over a generation ago. A lot will ride on how the quarterback position gets sorted. 13. West Virginia The second Rich Rodriguez era begins with the Mountaineers lacking the pieces to effectively run his scheme. That's going to hamstring his first campaign and keep West Virginia from doing more than hover around six wins. But look for the Mountaineers to improve as the season progresses and set things up for better days in 2026. 14. Central Florida Scott Frost returns to Orlando after his failed stint at Nebraska. What did he learn from that experience? He'll need more time to get UCF into Top 25 contention given the state of the roster and the difficult path through Big 12 play. Sometimes a reunion can work. But like Rich Rodriguez, he'll need some time to get things sorted. 15. Arizona The Wildcats are on shaky ground heading into coach Brent Brennan's second season. While the offense can build around quarterback Noah Fifita, there are major gaps in nearly every other position group after an exodus of potential contributors into the transfer portal. While Brennan and his staff worked to rebuild, this roster isn't built to contend on a weekly basis. 16. Cincinnati The defense doesn't look noticeably improved after cratering in the second half of last season and costing the Bearcats a bowl berth. Embattled coach Scott Satterfield should get things going on offense behind quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who had over 3,200 yards of total offense in 2024 but was lost in the shuffle amid the league's deep quarterback group. But Cincinnati is not a safe bet to do more than claw around four to six wins, which would likely mean the end of the road for Satterfield.
