The Big 12 Championship game remains undecided as the regular season draws to a close, but a recent victory by Colorado against Oklahoma State has clarified potential outcomes ahead of Saturday’s matches. Currently, four teams—Colorado, Arizona State, Iowa State, and BYU—each have two losses in conference play, while five others—Kansas State, Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech, and West Virginia—are sitting with three losses.
The dynamics have added excitement as Saturday’s games could further shape the conference title picture. Here’s a glimpse into the possibilities for the championship game, as highlighted by expert predictions.
For Colorado (9-3, 7-2 Big 12), the most straightforward route to the Big 12 Championship is for Arizona State, Iowa State, and BYU to all suffer losses. This outcome would solidify Colorado’s position as the top team based on conference records. Alternatively, if two of those three teams lose, Colorado would find itself in the championship game alongside one of the two-loss teams.
Arizona State (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) can secure a spot in the championship game by winning on Saturday, contingent upon both Iowa State and BYU losing. They could also emerge from a four-way tie involving Colorado, Arizona State, Iowa State, and BYU. However, various scenarios could see Arizona State left out if the teams above them perform well.
Iowa State (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) shares a similar path. A win by Iowa State, alongside losses from Arizona State and BYU, leads to a matchup with Colorado in the championship. Yet, if the results don’t favor Iowa State while others win, it could drastically reshape the championship game lineup.
BYU (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) finds itself in a favorable situation if Iowa State and Arizona State lose, which would see them face Colorado. Conversely, if they secure a win while Arizona State prevails and Iowa State loses, the title game would feature a matchup against Arizona State.
In a particularly intriguing twist, if all three leading teams—Arizona State, Iowa State, and BYU—experience losses, this could pave the way for one of the teams with three losses to step in, potentially leading to a championship showdown between Colorado and either Kansas State or Baylor.
The anticipation surrounding the Big 12 Championship game underlines the unpredictability and excitement of college football, where each game can significantly alter fortunes. As this drama unfolds in what promises to be an exhilarating conclusion to the regular season, fans can remain optimistic about the thrilling possibilities ahead.