With a nine-game conference schedule, it’s tough to find the perfect balance for every Big 12 football team.
Each year, half the league will play one more home league game than the rest of the Big 12, and the following year, that formula will be reversed.
In the 2026 season, the conference schedule in particular appears to give contenders like Texas Tech, BYU, Utah and even Houston an advantage in the league race, thanks to how the home and road games shake up.
Other potential contenders like Arizona and TCU, meanwhile, face a more daunting conference race — at least on paper, before the results start to roll in and change the complexion of the league.
With that in mind, here’s how we rank the conference schedule for each of the Big 12’s 16 teams, divided into tiers from toughest to easiest — and how that could impact the conference chase in 2026.
Tier 1: Big 12’s version of a gauntlet
Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats have a difficult conference opener, traveling to BYU in the second week of the season. It’s a contest that could have plenty of impact on the league race come November.
Arizona also has to play at Texas Tech on Halloween and faces TCU, Utah and Arizona State all in November — at least all three of those games are at home, with a road game at Kansas State thrown in. That’s a tough way to start and end league play.
Arizona’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 12 — at BYU
- Oct. 3 — vs. Cincinnati
- Oct. 10 — at West Virginia
- Oct. 24 — vs. Iowa State
- Oct. 31 — at Texas Tech
- Nov. 6 — vs. TCU
- Nov. 14 — vs. Utah
- Nov. 21 — at Kansas State
- Nov. 28 — vs. Arizona State
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 5 — vs. Northern Arizona; Sept. 19 — vs. Northern Illinois; Sept. 26 — at Washington State
Arizona State Sun Devils
The Sun Devils open Big 12 action with a tricky matchup — traveling to England to face Kansas — but do have a fairly favorable group of home games during Big 12 action, four that could earn them momentum to stay in the conference race.
The bulk of their toughest games, though, are on the road — Arizona State must play at Texas Tech and BYU two weeks apart, with a home game against Kansas State sandwiched in between, and the Sun Devils end the year with a road trip to face rival Arizona.
Arizona State’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 19 — vs. Kansas (Wembley Stadium, England)
- Oct. 3 — vs. Baylor
- Oct. 17 — at Texas Tech
- Oct. 24 — vs. Kansas State
- Oct. 31 — at BYU
- Nov. 7 — vs. Colorado
- Nov. 14 — at UCF
- Nov. 21 — vs. Oklahoma State
- Nov. 28 — at Arizona
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 5 — vs. Morgan State; Sept. 12 — at Texas A&M; Oct. 10 — vs. Hawaii
Cincinnati Bearcats
The Bearcats are one of the Big 12 teams who have only four home conference games this season, and it hurts that two of those are in back-to-back weeks against two contenders, Texas Tech and Utah, in late October.
That sets up a November slate where Cincinnati will be on the road for three of its final four games, starting with a road game at Houston and ending with a trip to Provo and facing BYU. That’s a pretty brutal back two-thirds of league action.
Cincinnati’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 26 — vs. Kansas State
- Oct. 3 — at Arizona
- Oct. 17 — at West Virginia
- Oct. 24 — vs. Texas Tech
- Oct. 31 — vs. Utah
- Nov. 7 — at Houston
- Nov. 14 — at Iowa State
- Nov. 21 — vs. Colorado
- Nov. 28 — at BYU
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 5 — vs. Boston College; Sept. 12 — vs. Western Carolina; Sept. 19 — vs. Miami (Ohio)
TCU Horned Frogs
Could TCU break its way into the conference race? The Horned Frogs ended last year on a three-game win streak and won nine games. The final month of this season, though, looks especially rough.
The start of conference play does allow for a chance to stack some wins, outside of a challenging home game against BYU. In November, though, the Horned Frogs play at Arizona and Texas Tech — both games will be on short weeks — and host Kansas State and Utah in between.
TCU’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 26 — at UCF
- Oct. 3 — vs. BYU
- Oct. 17 — at Baylor
- Oct. 24 — vs. West Virginia
- Oct. 31 — vs. Kansas
- Nov. 6 — at Arizona
- Nov. 14 — vs. Kansas State
- Nov. 21 — vs. Utah
- Nov. 26 — at Texas Tech
Nonconference schedule: Aug. 29 — vs. North Carolina (Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland); Sept. 12 — vs. Grambling; Sept. 19 vs. Arkansas State
Tier 2: Not as tough, but still a grind
Baylor Bears
The Bears have one of the more difficult stretches in conference play, when they end the regular season with a road trip to BYU, then face Texas Tech at home, and finish the year at Houston, all in consecutive weeks.
Baylor only has four home Big 12 games this season, beginning with a matchup against Colorado to start league play, but also draws a tough road game at Arizona State next before hosting TCU after a bye week.
Baylor’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 26 — vs. Colorado
- Oct. 3 — at Arizona State
- Oct. 17 — vs. TCU
- Oct. 24 — at Kansas
- Oct. 30 — at UCF
- Nov. 7 — vs. Iowa State
- Nov. 14 — at BYU
- Nov. 21 — vs. Texas Tech
- Nov. 28 — at Houston
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 5 — vs. Auburn (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta); Sept. 12 — vs. Prairie View A&M; Sept. 19 — vs. Louisiana Tech
Iowa State Cyclones
The Cyclones may well find themselves near the bottom of the Big 12 in 2026 after losing 54 players to the transfer portal. That’s just part of the challenge ahead for new coach Jimmy Rogers.
That kind of turnover will be especially difficult with Iowa State starting league play by hosting Utah, then playing at BYU and Arizona in back-to-back games, with a bye in between. Where the Cyclones get a break is the back half of the schedule when they alternate home and road games, with three inside Jack Trice Stadium.
Iowa State’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 26 — vs. Utah
- Oct. 3 — vs. West Virginia
- Oct. 9 — at BYU
- Oct. 24 — at Arizona
- Oct. 31 — vs. Oklahoma State
- Nov. 7 — at Baylor
- Nov. 14 — vs. Cincinnati
- Nov. 20 — at UCF
- Nov. 28 — vs. Kansas State
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 5 — vs. Southeast Missouri State; Sept. 12 — at Iowa; Sept. 19 — vs. Bowling Green
Kansas Jayhawks
Because Kansas starts league play with a neutral-site game in England, the Jayhawks won’t have their first home Big 12 game until Oct. 24 — that will challenge a team facing its share of turnover.
Kansas also has to travel to Utah, Kansas State and TCU in a four-week stretch after facing Arizona State in that neutral-site contest, then host BYU in its home finale. Outside of that, there might be a few wins to be had in league play.
Kansas’ Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 19 — vs. Arizona State (Wembley Stadium, England)
- Oct. 10 — at Utah
- Oct. 17 — at Kansas State
- Oct. 24 — vs. Baylor
- Oct. 31 — at TCU
- Nov. 7 — vs. UCF
- Nov. 14 — at West Virginia
- Nov. 21 — vs. BYU
- Nov. 28 — at Oklahoma State
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 5 — vs. Long Island; Sept. 11 — vs. Missouri; Oct. 3 — vs. Middle Tennessee
West Virginia Mountaineers
If the Mountaineers can build some momentum in the earlier part of their Big 12 schedule, they could become bowl eligible — West Virginia will host three of its first four conference games.
The back half of the schedule, though, ups the difficulty level. West Virginia will play at Texas Tech, Utah and TCU, while also hosting Houston and Kansas — that’s a stretch that could quickly unravel the Mountaineers’ season.
West Virginia’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 26 — vs. Oklahoma State
- Oct. 3 — at Iowa State
- Oct. 10 — vs. Arizona
- Oct. 17 — vs. Cincinnati
- Oct. 24 — at TCU
- Nov. 7 — at Texas Tech
- Nov. 14 — vs. Kansas
- Nov. 21 — vs. Houston
- Nov. 27 — at Utah
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 5 — vs. Coastal Carolina; Sept. 12 — vs. UT Martin; Sept. 19 — vs. Virginia (Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte)
Tier 3: Finding the right balance
BYU Cougars
One of the biggest benefits to BYU’s schedule this year is that the Cougars largely avoid having their most challenging games back-to-back.
Arizona nearly knocked off BYU last year in Tucson and will be a tough league opener, while the road game at TCU very well could be tricky, though there’s a couple weeks of nonconference play in between those contests.
The back-to-back games at home against Arizona State and at Utah will be the Cougars’ biggest two-week challenge in league play. If BYU can take care of business at home, though, the most difficult road dates are spread out enough.
BYU’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 12 — vs. Arizona
- Oct. 3 — at TCU
- Oct. 9 — vs. Iowa State
- Oct. 24 — at UCF
- Oct. 31 — vs. Arizona State
- Nov. 7 — at Utah
- Nov. 14 — vs. Baylor
- Nov. 21 — at Kansas
- Nov. 28 — vs. Cincinnati
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 5 — vs. Utah Tech; Sept. 19 — at Colorado State; Oct. 17 — vs. Notre Dame
Colorado Buffaloes
The Buffaloes, who won just one conference game last season, will at least have the majority of their most difficult matchups at Folsom Field this year.
That includes hosting Texas Tech and Utah, with a bye week in between, before Kansas State and Houston come to Boulder later in the year, sandwiched around a tough road trip to Arizona State.
Colorado’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 26 — at Baylor
- Oct. 3 — vs. Texas Tech
- Oct. 17 — vs. Utah
- Oct. 24 — at Oklahoma State
- Oct. 31 — vs. Kansas State
- Nov. 7 — at Arizona State
- Nov. 13 — vs. Houston
- Nov. 21 — at Cincinnati
- Nov. 28 — vs. UCF
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 3 — at Georgia Tech; Sept. 12 — vs. Weber State; Sept. 19 — at Northwestern
Houston Cougars
One of the dark horse contenders for the Big 12 crown will have to earn it — Houston won’t play back-to-back home conference games at any point during the season.
The Cougars have five Big 12 road contests, with the toughest coming right out the gate on a Friday league opener at Texas Tech. A visit to Utah a month later is also daunting. A big plus, however, is that Houston avoids BYU and has one of the most favorable November schedules in the league.
Houston’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 18 — at Texas Tech
- Oct. 3 — vs. UCF
- Oct. 10 — at Kansas State
- Oct. 17 — vs. Oklahoma State
- Oct. 24 — at Utah
- Nov. 7 — vs. Cincinnati
- Nov. 13 — at Colorado
- Nov. 21 — at West Virginia
- Nov. 28 — vs. Baylor
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 5 — vs. Oregon State; Sept. 12 — vs. Southern; Sept. 26 — at Georgia Southern
Utah Utes
The first half of Utah’s league schedule sets up well for the Utes to get things rolling for a program under first-year coach Morgan Scalley.
Though Utah must play five conference road games, contests at Iowa State, Colorado and Cincinnati in the first half come against programs who are likely rebuilding. The first big test comes against Houston in late October, though the Utes will host that game.
Utah’s Big 12 fate will be written in November. The Utes get to host rival BYU to start the month, and then must hit the road for back-to-back games at Arizona and TCU. Those three games will most likely determine the Utes’ placement in the Big 12 standings.
Utah’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 26 — at Iowa State
- Oct. 10 — vs. Kansas
- Oct. 17 — at Colorado
- Oct. 24 — vs. Houston
- Oct. 31 — at Cincinnati
- Nov. 7 — vs. BYU
- Nov. 14 — at Arizona
- Nov. 21 — at TCU
- Nov. 27 — vs. West Virginia
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 3 — vs. Idaho; Sept. 12 — vs. Arkansas; Sept. 19 — vs. Utah State
Tier 4: The paths of least resistance
Kansas State Wildcats
The Wildcats were expected to be a Big 12 contender last year, but things fell apart. This season’s conference schedule, though, could provide some hope to build momentum for first-year coach Colin Klein and his squad.
That’s in large part because Kansas State is fortunate to avoid Texas Tech, BYU and Utah, even if it must host Houston and Arizona and travel to Arizona State and TCU. The toughest part is that the Wildcats play four of their final six games on the road.
Kansas State’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 26 — at Cincinnati
- Oct. 10 — vs. Houston
- Oct. 17 — vs. Kansas
- Oct. 24 — at Arizona State
- Oct. 31 — at Colorado
- Nov. 7 — vs. Oklahoma State
- Nov. 14 — at TCU
- Nov. 21 — vs. Arizona
- Nov. 28 — at Iowa State
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 5 — vs. Nicholls State; Sept. 12 — vs. Washington State; Sept. 19 — vs. Tulane
Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Cowboys haven’t won a Big 12 game in two years, though the schedule does shine a bit on first-year coach Eric Morris, who brought in several playmakers from North Texas with him, including quarterback Drew Mestemaker.
Even though Oklahoma State only has four home league games and must play at Kansas State and Arizona State in November with a home tilt with Texas Tech in between, the first half of the league slate is far less daunting on paper. Oklahoma State does have to travel to Houston, but it avoids BYU and Utah.
Oklahoma State’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 26 — at West Virginia
- Oct. 10 — vs. UCF
- Oct. 17 — at Houston
- Oct. 24 — vs. Colorado
- Oct. 31 — at Iowa State
- Nov. 7 — at Kansas State
- Nov. 14 — vs. Texas Tech
- Nov. 21 — at Arizona State
- Nov. 28 — vs. Kansas
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 5 — at Tulsa; Sept. 12 — vs. Oregon; Sept. 19 — vs. Murray State
Texas Tech Red Raiders
The defending Big 12 champions play the majority of their games against projected contenders at home, starting with the league opener against Houston. That’s arguably the toughest regular-season game on Texas Tech’s schedule.
If Morris and his incoming talent can get Oklahoma State turned around fast, their matchup in Stillwater could be interesting in November. So could the TCU game to end the season on Thanksgiving day, with only five days prep.
With no BYU or Utah on the schedule and Arizona State at home, though, the Red Raiders’ path sets up a favorable chance of going 9-0 in Big 12 play.
Texas Tech’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 18 — vs. Houston
- Oct. 3 — at Colorado
- Oct. 17 — vs. Arizona State
- Oct. 24 — at Cincinnati
- Oct. 31 — vs. Arizona
- Nov. 7 — vs. West Virginia
- Nov. 14 — at Oklahoma State
- Nov. 21 — at Baylor
- Nov. 26 — vs. TCU
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 5 — vs. Abilene Christian; Sept. 12 — at Oregon State; Sept. 26 — vs. Sam Houston
UCF Knights
The Knights will be one of the Big 12 schools facing their biggest challenges early on in conference play — after hosting TCU in the league opener, they travel to Houston and will host BYU three weeks later following a bye.
There’s no Texas Tech or Utah on the schedule, though, and UCF will play four of its final six games at home, with the road contests coming at Kansas and Colorado. The game vs. Arizona State in Orlando on Nov. 14 looks like the toughest matchup in the back half.
UCF’s Big 12 schedule
- Sept. 26 — vs. TCU
- Oct. 3 — at Houston
- Oct. 10 — at Oklahoma State
- Oct. 24 — vs. BYU
- Oct. 30 — vs. Baylor
- Nov. 7 — at Kansas
- Nov. 14 — vs. Arizona State
- Nov. 20 — vs. Iowa State
- Nov. 28 — at Colorado
Nonconference schedule: Sept. 3 — vs. Bethune-Cookman; Sept. 12 — at Pittsburgh; Sept. 19 — vs. Georgia State
