Could the Big 12’s CFP dream be over before October even starts? Seven critical early-season football games against Big Ten and SEC powerhouses aren’t just matchups, they’re the ultimate resume builders (or breakers!). The playoff committee has its eyes on these clashes, and the Big 12 needs to deliver big time. Can they defy the odds?
The highly coveted College Football Playoff (CFP) path for the Big 12 Football Conference this upcoming season could be irrevocably shaped by just a handful of pivotal early season matchups. These critical contests, predominantly against formidable opponents from the Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences, will serve as an immediate litmus test for the conference’s strength and national standing within NCAA FBS Football. The outcomes will not merely represent early wins or losses, but rather, they will forge the foundational narrative that the CFP selection committee will scrutinize in the months to come.
Through a series of scheduling quirks and long-standing agreements, the Big 12 faces a daunting slate of seven non-conference clashes against the sport’s two dominant Power Five Conferences powerhouses. While these games are often arranged years in advance, their collective weight in determining the conference’s at-large candidates for the playoff cannot be overstated. With the national spotlight firmly fixed on these contests, every snap and every score will contribute to a broader perception of the Big 12’s competitive viability for the College Football Playoff.
The Big 12 Football Conference has historically grappled with a perceived disadvantage within the subjective CFP selection environment. Critics and analysts frequently point to a system that appears to favor the established brands of the Big Ten and SEC, often leaving modest Big 12 programs with minimal benefit of the doubt and an exceptionally narrow margin for error. Past seasons have seen multi-loss teams from other conferences ranked above Big 12 counterparts with similar or even better head-to-head records, underscoring this ongoing challenge in NCAA FBS Football.
Among the seven critical encounters against Big Ten or SEC foes, only a select few are currently projected to be ranked in the preseason polls, with Oregon hosting Oklahoma State in Week 2 standing out as a premier early test. Beyond this marquee game, other early season matchups like Iowa State versus Iowa, Utah against UCLA, and Cincinnati facing Nebraska present crucial opportunities. These contests offer the Big 12 Football conference its most direct avenues to secure significant non-conference victories that could dramatically elevate its national resume for CFP selection.
A failure to secure marquee non-conference victories could severely hinder the Big 12 Football conference’s ability to advocate for its at-large candidates later in the season. Without impressive triumphs against high-profile opposition, the conference risks being marginalized in discussions, particularly when compared to the deep and often top-heavy schedules of its Power Five Conferences counterparts. This places immense pressure on Big 12 teams to not only win these early season matchups but to win them convincingly, creating a lasting positive impression for the College Football Playoff committee.
In addition to the challenging Big Ten and SEC slate, the Big 12 also features seven matchups against teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). While these games might not carry the same weight as those against the traditional “behemoths,” they still contribute to the overall strength of schedule and offer further opportunities to bolster the conference’s standing. A strong showing across all early season matchups is essential to build a resilient resume for the NCAA FBS Football season.
To emerge from the initial weeks of the season with a strong resume and an intact reputation, the Big 12 Football conference must achieve a minimum level of success. This ideally includes securing at least one significant victory over a Big Ten opponent, alongside a strong showing against the SEC, aiming for a favorable win-loss record. Combined with several wins against the ACC, such an outcome would provide the Big 12 with a crucial buffer against the inevitable narrative headwinds that will surface as College Football Playoff selection weekend approaches, giving its teams a fighting chance for a coveted spot in NCAA FBS Football.
