Big 12 seeks multiple CFP bids

**Big 12 Chasing Unprecedented Playoff History, BYU-Texas Tech Showdown Takes Center Stage**

**PROVO, Utah** — The Big 12 Conference is making its strongest push yet for an unprecedented feat: securing multiple berths in the College Football Playoff this season. At the heart of this ambitious endeavor lies a high-stakes clash this Saturday, November 9th, as No. 8 BYU hosts No. 9 Texas Tech in a game with immense playoff implications.

Kickoff for the crucial matchup is set for 7:00 PM ET at LaVell Edwards Stadium, with national broadcast coverage on ESPN. For the winner, a firm grip on a top-tier ranking and a legitimate path to the highly coveted four-team playoff will remain intact. For the loser, the road becomes significantly more arduous, requiring a highly improbable string of events and dominant performances to re-enter the conversation. Both teams enter the contest with impressive records, having navigated challenging conference schedules to position themselves as key contenders for the league’s playoff aspirations.

Historically, the Big 12 has often found itself vying for a single spot in the College Football Playoff, and in some seasons, has been shut out entirely within the current four-team format. However, the 2024 season has seen a remarkable surge in competitive depth and national recognition across the conference. Beyond BYU and Texas Tech, No. 15 Oklahoma, No. 19 TCU, and No. 20 UCF are all ranked within the Top 25 of the latest College Football Playoff committee rankings. This collection of highly-ranked programs is a stark departure from past years, creating a compelling narrative for the league’s overall strength.

The College Football Playoff selection committee evaluates teams based on a myriad of factors, including strength of schedule, head-to-head results, common opponents, championships won, and overall record. For the Big 12 to secure two spots, it would likely require at least one highly-ranked, undefeated or one-loss conference champion, alongside another one-loss team with a compelling resume and signature wins. This scenario often depends on the performance of other Power Five conferences and the number of undefeated champions they produce.

“The parity and strength we’ve seen across our league this year is truly exceptional,” commented a Big 12 athletic director, who spoke on background, emphasizing the competitiveness. “Every week feels like a playoff game, and that’s exactly the kind of strength of schedule argument we want to present to the committee.”

While BYU and Texas Tech capture the immediate spotlight, the continued success of Oklahoma, TCU, and UCF is vital to the conference’s broader playoff ambitions. Their consistent presence in the Top 25 elevates the Big 12’s perceived strength, making wins against these teams more valuable for those at the top. Oklahoma, under Coach Brent Venables, continues to build on its strong season, while TCU and UCF, relatively new additions to the upper echelon of the rankings, have proven their mettle against challenging opponents. Upcoming schedules for these teams include crucial conference matchups that will further shape the playoff picture.

The road to the Big 12 Championship Game, scheduled for early December at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will also be critical. A dominant performance by a one-loss or undefeated team there would significantly bolster its playoff case, and potentially, that of a second highly-ranked conference team.

The current four-team playoff structure is set to expand to 12 teams beginning in the 2024 season, a format change designed to include more conference champions and highly-ranked at-large bids. However, for the current season, the Big 12’s challenge is to break through the long-standing four-team barrier. The conference is positioning itself with an array of strong contenders, hoping to capitalize on a potentially chaotic college football landscape where multiple Power Five champions might not emerge undefeated.

As Saturday’s crucial clash between BYU and Texas Tech approaches, the Big 12 holds its breath, hopeful that its collective strength will translate into an unprecedented outcome. The eyes of the college football world will be on Provo, as the conference attempts to rewrite its playoff narrative and send a resounding statement about its place among the nation’s elite. Further updates on the playoff rankings and conference standings can be found on the official Big 12 Conference website and major sports news outlets.