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.
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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.
Nov 30, 2024; Ames, Iowa, USA; Kansas State Wildcats safety Marques Sigle (21)tackles Iowa State Cyclones running back Abu Sama III (24) during the third quarter at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images
One of the longest-standing rivalry matchups in all of college football kicks off the season in Dublin, Ireland. Kansas State was ranked the No. 1 team in the Big 12 by ESPN’s SP+ post-spring, but they’ll be tested early with an up-and-coming Iowa State team fresh off a loss in the Big 12 championship game.
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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.
Nov 2, 2024; Ames, Iowa, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton (2) rolls out to pass against the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium. The Red Raiders won 23-22. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images
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 their 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.
Dec 28, 2024; San Antonio, TX, USA; Colorado Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders (21) and safety Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig (7) attempt to tackle Brigham Young Cougars tight end Ryner Swanson (80) during the second quarter at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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+, featuring talented returners like linebacker Isaiah Glasker.
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The current unknowns of Colorado’s roster add further intrigue to this matchup, which will be played under the lights at Folsom Field and on ESPN.
Week 6: Colorado @ TCU
Sep 2, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes running back Sy’veon Wilkerson (36) scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
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 ranked Buffaloes will be tasked with another upset, but they’ve proven to like playing spoiler in Texas.
Oct 19, 2019; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is tackled by Utah Utes defensive tackle John Penisini (52) and defensive end Bradlee Anae (6) in the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
An old Pac-12 matchup is renewed, taking us back to Rice-Eccles Stadium for the second time on this list. Utah is forced to run a gauntlet in 2025, but luckily for them, they’ll get the new-look Arizona State team at home.
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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 @ TCU
Oct 31, 2020; Waco, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Kee’yon Stewart (2) breaks up the pass to Baylor Bears wide receiver Jaylen Ellis (84) during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
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.
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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 @ BYU
Nov 9, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) runs against Utah Utes defensive end Van Fillinger (7) during the second quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
After dominating the Holy War for nine years, Utah is in the midst of a two-year losing streak to their 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 @ Kansas
Oct 26, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; The Kansas State Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks face off during the third quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
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 straight wins over the Jayhawks.
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Kansas will need an almost perfect game from their star quarterback Jalon Daniels if they want to take down the 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 @ Iowa State
Dec 7, 2024; Arlington, TX, USA; Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jayden Higgins (9) and Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Shamari Simmons (7) in action during the game between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Arizona State Sun Devils at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Cyclones play host to the Sun Devils, who decimated them in the conference championship last season, in a game that 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.
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Another tough environment for the Sun Devils will test them further, as 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 @ Baylor
Sep 7, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; The Baylor Bears offense goes up against the Utah Utes defense in the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Utah’s journey through their Big 12 gauntlet 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, it’s 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.
Sep 28, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Brennan Presley (80) is chased by Kansas State Wildcats safety Wesley Fair (18) during a punt return in the fourth quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
Oklahoma State is facing a near-complete rebuild of their roster, and they aren’t projected to be very good next season, sitting at No. 12 in the Big 12 by ESPN’s SP+ ranking. What makes this matchup interesting is that Kansas State, a championship favorite, is facing a rowdy Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater.
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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.
Nov 30, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers offensive tackle Nick Malone (58) blocks Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive linebacker Isaac Smith (17) in the second half at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images
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 @ Arizona State
Nov 30, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; General view down the line of scrimmage as the Arizona State Sun Devils prepare to snap the ball against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half during the Territorial Cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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 head coach Brent Brennan, falling at No. 14 in the Big 12 by ESPN’s SP+, but they’ve got talent on the roster.
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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 @ Kansas State
Oct 12, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Omarion Miller (4) celebrates after a first down during the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
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.
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Colorado’s offense should have less trouble with the cold, leaning more on their 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.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Picking the top Big 12 conference games of the 2025 season
