As the 2023 college football regular season approaches its climactic finale, the battle for the Big 12 Championship Game remains intense. The top contenders—Texas, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, and Kansas State—all harbor realistic hopes of securing a spot in the title clash, with various scenarios unfolding in this crucial week.
Texas: Positioned favorably, the Longhorns only need to secure a home victory against Texas Tech to solidify their standing. This would propel them to an 11-1 overall record and an 8-1 conference record, making them the sole one-loss team in the Big 12. Notably, Texas is the only team capable of withstanding a loss at this stage.
Oklahoma State: A single win stands between the Cowboys and their spot in the championship game. Facing BYU at home, Oklahoma State holds a crucial head-to-head advantage over both Oklahoma and Kansas State, positioning them well for a decisive outcome.
Oklahoma: The Sooners’ path to Arlington involves a victory against TCU. However, their fate also relies on other outcomes. If Texas triumphs and Oklahoma State loses to BYU, the Sooners secure a spot in the championship game, setting the stage for a Red River rematch with Texas.
Kansas State: Needing a win against Iowa State, Kansas State’s prospects hinge on Texas winning and both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State losing. Despite a head-to-head loss to Oklahoma State, the Wildcats could still qualify based on specific tiebreaker criteria.
If Texas Loses: While a Texas loss doesn’t outright eliminate them, it opens a realm of possibilities. Texas could still clinch a berth if two out of the three other two-loss teams (Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State) suffer defeats. This scenario would likely result in a rematch of the Bedlam rivalry between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, contingent on tiebreaker outcomes.
In the intricate landscape of college football’s rivalry week, the Big 12 Championship Game scenarios are poised for dramatic twists, with each team navigating a delicate balance to secure a coveted spot in the title clash.