This Week in the Big 12
Friday, September 3
South Dakota at Kansas (Big 12 Now on ESPN+) 7:00 p.m.
Series: KU 2-0
Last Meeting: KU 31-14 in Lawrence on Sept. 7, 2013.
Saturday, September 4
Stanford vs. Kansas State [Arlington, Texas] (FS1) 11:00 a.m.
Series: Stanford 1-0
Last Meeting: Stanford 26-13 at Stanford on Sept. 2, 2016.
No. 2/3 Oklahoma vs. Tulane [moved to Norman] (ABC) 11:00 a.m.
Series: OU 1-0
Last Meeting: OU 56-14 in Norman on Sept. 16, 2017.
West Virginia at Maryland (ESPN) 2:30 p.m.
Series: WVU 28-22-2
Last Meeting: WVU 45-6 in Morgantown on Sept. 26, 2015.
Northern Iowa at No. 7/8 Iowa State (Big 12 Now on ESPN+) 3:30 p.m.
Series: ISU 23-6-3
Last Meeting: ISU 29-26 (3OT) in Ames on Aug. 31, 2019.
No. 23/23 Louisiana at No. 21/19 Texas (FOX) 3:30 p.m.
Series: UT 2-0
Last Meeting: UT 60-3 in Austin on Sept. 3, 2005.
Baylor at Texas State (ESPN+) 6:00 p.m.
Series: BU 7-0
Last Meeting: BU 34-7 in Waco on Sept. 15, 2007.
Missouri State at RV/No. 22 Oklahoma State (Big 12 Now on ESPN+) 6:00 p.m.
Series: OSU 8-0
Last Meeting: OSU 58-17 in Stillwater on 2018. Aug. 30, 2018.
Texas Tech at Houston [NRG Stadium] (ESPN) 6:00 p.m.
Series: UH 18-13-1
Last Meeting: TTU 63-49 in Lubbock on Sept. 15, 2018.
Duquesne at TCU (Big 12 Now on ESPN+) 7:00 p.m.
Series: First Meeting
Conference News & Notes
The Big 12 enters the 2021 season with No. 2/3 Oklahoma and No. 7/8 Iowa State ranked in the top 10 of the AP and coaches polls. Both concluded the 2020 season with wins in CFP New Year’s Six Bowls. No. 19/21 Texas was also rated in both preseason ledgers while Oklahoma State was at No. 22 in the coaches edition and accumulated enough points for 26th in the AP Poll. TCU and West Virginia also received votes in both.
The Oklahoma vs. Tulane game has moved from New Orleans to Norman due to Hurricane Ida. Kickoff remains at 11 a.m. CT, and the game will be televised on ABC as previously announced.
The Big 12 welcomes two new head coaches with KU’s Lance Leipold and UT’s Steve Sarkisian. Seven of the 10 programs have coaches that have been at the helm for less than five seasons.
Eighty percent of Big 12 teams return QBs that started last season.
According to NFF research, Big 12 football rosters this season include 156 players that have already completed their undergraduate degree requirements.
The Big 12 was the only autonomy conference that completed the 2020 bowl season undefeated. It was also the Big 12’s first perfect bowl record in Conference history.
The Big 12’s bowl winning percentage of .594 (19-13) in the last five seasons (2016-20) leads the autonomy leagues.
With ISU and OU appearances in 2020, the Big 12 has placed two teams in the CFP postseason structure five times in its seven years.
In the midst of COVID last season, Big 12 teams completed 43-of-45 conference games and 58 contests overall, including bowl games.
Forty-eight percent (21-44) of last season’s Big 12 contests, including the Championship game, were decided by a touchdown or less, which was second among autonomy leagues.
The 2021 Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship is scheduled for Saturday, December 4 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Over the summer, the Big 12 and Dallas Cowboys announced a two-year extension that will keep the Championship game at AT&T Stadium through the 2023 season. Tickets to this year’s contest are on sale through SeatGeek.com
