The Big 12 Conference could have official participants for the Big 12 championship game as early as this weekend. Texas Tech and BYU can clinch, assuming certain things happen.
But there are four other teams that still have a shot and they’re hoping to win and stay in the race going into the final weekend of the season.
Here are five notes going into Week 13, and what they mean.
Note 1: Getting to Arlington
BYU and Texas Tech are the only programs this week that can clinch a spot in the 2025 Edward Jones Big 12 Football Championship.
What it Means: Exactly what you think it means. The interesting part is only one team is playing this week. BYU can clinch with a win over Cincinnati AND losses by Arizona State and Houston OR with a win over Cincinnati AND an Arizona State loss AND a Utah win.
Texas Tech’s chances to clinch are a bit more plausible, even though it’s on a bye. Texas Tech clinches with a loss by Arizona State AND a BYU win over Cincinnati OR with losses by ASU, BYU and Utah.
It’s entirely possible that if things go exactly right, neither team could clinch going into Week 14.
Note 2: The CFP Top 25
The Big 12 Conference placed five teams in the College Football Playoff’s Top 25 rankings this week, which included a trio of programs in the top 12. Arizona State (25th) and Houston (23rd) made their CFP rankings debut this season, while Utah (12th), BYU (11th) and Texas Tech (5th) all moved up one spot from last week.
What it Means: If you’re into the Big 12 getting multiple playoff bids — and we know Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark is really into that — then you’re hoping that Texas Tech and BYU reach the title game with 10 or more wins and that Utah reaches 10 wins by the Big 12 title game, even though the Utes will most likely be shut out. It gives the league its best chance at multiple bids.
If you’re the league, you also want ASU and Houston to keep winning to make Texas Tech’s and BYU’s wins — and losses — against those teams more valuable to the committee.
Note 3: Big Noon Kickoff
The Big 12 Conference will host FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show for a fourth time this season for BYU’s visit to Cincinnati on Saturday.
What it Means: It means Fox likes the Big 12 better than ESPN. That’s now four Big Noon Kickoff appearances and two ESPN College Gameday appearances this season.
Note 4: AP Winning Percentage
After last week, 68.8% (11 of 16) Big 12 programs have defeated an AP Top 25 team this season, which is the highest percentage of any FBS conference.
What it Means: Well, we had this note in their last week, and it was only 10 so what changed? Arizona beat then-No. 25 Cincinnati, giving the Wildcats their first Top 25 win this season. Welcome to the party, Wildcats.
Note 5: BYU In the Big 12
With a 6-1 start to Big 12 play this season, BYU has won 13 of its last 16 Conference games since the start of the 2024 season.
What it Means: Can you imagine where BYU would be in this conference if the league had let them in a decade ago like the Cougars were hoping? Wow.
