The Big 12 is buzzing with excitement as we head into Rivalry Week, and the stakes couldn’t be higher! With nine teams still vying for a shot at the Big 12 championship game, the drama is palpable. Among them, four teams stand out with two conference losses each: No. 16 Arizona State (9-2, 6-2), No. 18 Iowa State (9-2, 6-2), No. 19 BYU (9-2, 6-2), and No. 25 Colorado (8-3, 6-2). The question on everyone’s mind is: who will emerge victorious and secure their place in the championship?
Big 12 championship scenarios 2024
As the weekend approaches, the championship picture remains tantalizingly unclear. If at least two of the aforementioned teams can clinch a win, the path to the title will become clearer. However, if three of them stumble, it could open the door for the five teams with three losses: No. 24 Kansas State (8-3, 5-3), Baylor (7-4, 5-3), TCU (7-4, 5-3), Texas Tech (7-4, 5-3), and West Virginia (6-5, 5-3).
What makes this scenario even more thrilling is the variety of matchups this weekend. Here’s a look at the games that will shape the championship landscape:
| Oklahoma State at No. 25 Colorado (Friday) | 12 p.m. | ABC |
| No. 16 Arizona State at Arizona | 3:30 p.m. | Fox |
| Kansas State at No. 17 Iowa State | 7:30 p.m. | Fox |
| Houston at No. 19 BYU | 10:15 p.m. | ESPN |
With Colorado and BYU as double-digit favorites, Iowa State hosting “Farmageddon,” and Arizona State favored by 8.5 points in the Territorial Cup, the weekend promises to be action-packed!
Who will play in the Big 12 championship game?
As we analyze the scenarios, it’s clear that the teams with two conference losses have the clearest path to the championship. For Arizona State, a victory against Arizona, coupled with losses from two of Iowa State, BYU, and Colorado, would clinch their spot. Alternatively, a four-way tie at 7-2 is also a possibility.
Iowa State shares a similar fate. They need to defeat Kansas State and hope for losses from two of the other contenders. If they can pull off a win and the right results unfold, they could very well be in the championship mix.
BYU, too, has a straightforward route: a win against Houston and two losses from Arizona State, Colorado, or Iowa State would secure their place. Meanwhile, Colorado must win against Oklahoma State and rely on losses from two of the other three teams.
What happens if three teams lose out of Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, and Iowa State?
The intrigue deepens when we consider what happens if three of these teams fall short. Let’s break down the potential outcomes:
– If Arizona State wins while Iowa State, BYU, and Colorado lose, the championship game could feature Arizona State against either Kansas State or Baylor, depending on other matchups.
– Should Iowa State prevail and the others falter, they could face Baylor, Texas Tech, or West Virginia.
– If BYU comes out on top while the others stumble, they too could find themselves in a championship showdown against Kansas State or Baylor.
– Finally, if Colorado secures a victory and the other three lose, they would face off against Kansas State or Baylor.
The possibilities are endless, and the excitement is through the roof!
What happens if Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, and Iowa State all lose?
Imagine the chaos if all four teams were to lose! In such a scenario, a myriad of combinations would emerge among the three-loss teams. For instance, if Kansas, TCU, Texas Tech, and UCF all win, we could see Kansas State squaring off against Texas Tech in the championship game, showcasing a thrilling battle of three-loss teams.
Big 12 common opponents
As we navigate these scenarios, it’s essential to consider the common opponents that will influence tiebreakers. The second Big 12 tiebreaker revolves around the winning percentage against common opponents. Here’s a quick look at how the teams stack up against these common foes:
| TEAM | BYU | COLO. | ISU | ASU |
| Arizona | W 41-19 | W 34-7 | – | Nov. 30 |
| Arizona State | L 28-23 | – | – | L 24-14 |
| Baylor | W 34-28 | W 38-31 | W 43-21 | – |
| BYU | – | – | – | W 28-23 |
| UCF | W 37-24 | W 48-21 | W 38-35 | W 35-31 |
| Cincinnati | – | W 34-23 | W 34-17 | – |
| Colorado | – | – | – | – |
| Houston | Nov. 30 | – | W 20-0 | – |
| Iowa State | – | – | – | – |
| Kansas | L 17-13 | L 37-21 | L 45-36 | W 35-31 |
| Kansas State | W 38-9 | L 31-28 | Nov. 30 | W 24-14 |
| Oklahoma State | W 38-35 | Nov. 29 | – | W 42-21 |
| TCU | – | – | – | – |
| Texas Tech | – | W 41-27 | L 23-22 | L 30-22 |
| Utah | W 22-21 | W 49-24 | W 31-28 | W 27-19 |
| West Virginia | – | – | W 28-16 | – |
| RECORD | 6-2 | 6-2 | 6-2 | 6-2 |
For all the combinations, predictions are rolling in, and many expect Arizona State to defeat Arizona 38-23, Iowa State to edge out Kansas State 33-28, Colorado to triumph over Oklahoma State 38-24, and BYU to take down Houston 33-14. If these predictions hold true, we could see Arizona State and Iowa State battling it out for the Big 12 championship on December 7 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, broadcast live on ABC.
The excitement is building, and fans are on the edge of their seats! Who will rise to the occasion and seize their chance at glory? The answers await us this weekend!
