The Big 12 Conference heads into another action-packed week, with several teams fighting for championship positioning, bowl eligibility, and season-defining momentum.
Here’s a detailed look at the most important games, players to watch, and statistical highlights shaping this week across the Big 12.
Utah vs. Baylor: A High-Stakes Big 12 Clash
No. 15 Utah (7-2, 4-2 Big 12, No. 13 CFP) at Baylor (5-4, 3-3)
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Utah enters the weekend with impressive dominance in conference play, winning its four Big 12 matchups by an average margin of nearly 36 points. Their only setbacks came against No. 8 Texas Tech and No. 12 BYU, keeping them in the championship conversation—though they still need help from other league results.
Powered by dynamic dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier, the Utes offense ranks second in the conference with 477 total yards and 39.6 points per game. Their defense is equally fierce, led by star pass rusher John Henry Daley, who already has 9.5 sacks. Utah stands second in the Big 12 defensively, allowing just 301 yards and 14.2 points per contest.
Long-tenured head coach Kyle Whittingham, now in his 21st season, remains one of the most respected leaders in college football—second only to Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, who is in year 27. On the opposite sideline, Baylor’s Dave Aranda continues to aim for stability.
Although a six-game winning streak late in 2024 eased some pressure, the Bears have posted a 22–25 record since winning the Big 12 title in 2021. Baylor returns from a bye week after a commanding 30-3 win over UCF, though they dropped the two prior matchups.
TCU vs. BYU: A Battle for Momentum
TCU (6-3, 3-3) at No. 12 BYU (8-1, 5-1, No. 12 CFP)
Saturday, 10:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)
No. 12 BYU looks to rebound after suffering its first loss of the season to Texas Tech. The Cougars are familiar with high-pressure situations—last year, after a 9-0 start, back-to-back losses cost them a spot in the Big 12 Championship due to a complicated four-team tiebreaker.
Meanwhile, TCU regained momentum in October by winning three of its four games. However, after an open week, the Horned Frogs stumbled in last week’s loss to Iowa State, ending their four-game win streak and raising the stakes for this week’s showdown.
Arizona vs. Cincinnati: Redemption Opportunity for the Bearcats
Arizona (6-3, 3-3) at No. 22 Cincinnati (7-2, 5-1)
Saturday, Noon ET (FS1)
No. 22 Cincinnati aims to reset after its seven-game winning streak was snapped during a tough 45-14 defeat at Utah on November 1.
With a critical home matchup against BYU looming next week, the Bearcats must stay focused and avoid looking past an Arizona team capable of an upset.
Big 12 Player Spotlights & Statistical Leaders
Texas Tech’s Cameron Dickey Continues Dominant Season
Texas Tech running back Cameron Dickey leads the Big 12 with 11 rushing touchdowns and ranks second with 86.7 rushing yards per game for the Red Raiders (9-1, 6-1, No. 6 CFP). Last week, Dickey rushed for 121 yards against BYU, while the conference’s top rusher, LJ Martin, was held to just 35 yards.
Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson Still Leads Big 12 Passing
Despite producing only 404 passing yards over his last two outings, Sawyer Robertson remains the Big 12 passing leader at 309 yards per game. He also threw five touchdowns during that span and shares the national lead with 26 TD passes, tied with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
Other Notable Big 12 Storylines
- West Virginia (4-6, 2-5) must win its final games to secure bowl eligibility. The Mountaineers face Arizona State (6-3, 4-2) for the first time as Big 12 opponents. Their last meeting came in the 2015 Cactus Bowl, where West Virginia edged out a 43-42 victory.
- Kansas State has posted an average of 34.2 points over its last five games, though the Wildcats dropped two of those matchups. They visit Oklahoma State (1-8, 0-6) this week.
- Arizona, Cincinnati, Houston, Texas Tech, and Utah have all already surpassed their win totals from last season, signaling significant program growth across the Big 12.
This week in the Big 12 Conference is packed with pivotal matchups, standout performances, and postseason implications.
From Utah’s pursuit of a championship spot to BYU’s redemption bid and Texas Tech’s rushing dominance, the conference remains one of the most unpredictable and competitive in college football.
Fans can expect high-energy games, breakout performances, and season-defining moments as teams continue to battle for positioning.
