The Big 12 Conference is gearing up for an exciting season with some new faces in the mix. Gone are longtime members Oklahoma and Texas, and in their place are Arizona State, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado.
The newcomers are facing tough opponents right out of the gate. Arizona State kicks off their season against Wyoming, a team coming off a strong year. Arizona has a softer opening but will soon face off against No. 18 Kansas State. Utah, ranked No. 12, opens against Southern Utah before taking on Baylor.
One team that’s attracting attention is Colorado, returning to the Big 12 after 13 years in the Pac-12. Led by high-profile coach Deion Sanders, the Buffaloes are eager to show improvement against North Dakota State, a formidable opponent despite playing at the FCS level.
As the new Big 12 teams square off against established programs, fans are eager to see how they will fare. TCU faces Stanford, West Virginia tackles No. 8 Penn State, and there are other marquee matchups to look forward to in the coming weeks.
There’s a lot at stake for the Big 12 this season, with Commissioner Brett Yormark emphasizing the league’s competitiveness and depth. Winning these early nonconference games will be crucial for both individual teams and the conference as a whole.
Excitement is building as the season kicks off, and fans can expect plenty of thrilling matchups and upsets along the way. Stay tuned for more updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season.