Big 12 Football: 10 most intriguing non-conference games of 2022 – AthlonSports.com

Texas will get a first chance at a statement win when the Longhorns host Alabama on September 10

The 2022 college football season will once again see the Big 12 enter unique territory. With the departures of Oklahoma and Texas on the horizon, it remains to be confirmed whether this will really be the last year with the Sooners and Longhorns as members of the Big 12 before they join the SEC. But the 2022 season sees a Big 12 schedule with non-conference games that will serve as little snippets of college football’s future with Texas hosting the SEC’s top dog and other Big 12 members taking on future Big 12 foes. 12.

And who can forget the classic rivalries we’ll see on the football pitch this season from a few Big 12 programs? Oklahoma will head to Big Ten Nebraska, and the backyard brawl between West Virginia and ACC Pittsburgh will help kick off the new season in Week 1.

Here’s a look at 10 of the most intriguing non-conference games on the schedule this fall for Big 12 programs.

10. TCU at Colorado, September 2

Think of this game as a wild card showdown, as it could be a fun back-and-forth game or one that only the real diehards will want to watch. But, of course, we’re all college football junkies here, so you know we’ll be watching closely as the new era of Horned Frogs football begins under Sonny Dykes.

9. TCU at SMU, September 24

Speaking of Sonny Dykes, TCU’s new head coach will make a quick return to his old stomping grounds at SMU in this long-running rivalry. We all hope the ‘battle for the iron pan’ continues after the Big 12 realignment changes because SMU won’t budge. But given the proximity and the common history between these two schools, we would like this rivalry to continue.

8. Texas Tech vs. Houston, Sept. 10

A non-conference game that will turn into a Big 12 rivalry will be featured in Week 2 when Texas Tech hosts Houston. If all goes according to plan, we should see a good amount of points in this game, and this series, in the years to come.

7. Kansas State vs. Missouri, Sept. 10

We might not expect to see too much of Kansas State this season when it comes to the Big 12 race, but having a chance at a home win against an SEC team would be good for the Wildcats, and the Big 12. You should never count Kansas State at home against anyone because Missouri might find out the hard way in this revival of an old Big 12 game.

6. Oklahoma State vs. Arizona State, Sept. 10

This game may have lost some shine given the offseason storylines coming from Arizona State, but it could still turn into a fun Big 12 vs. Pac-12 showdown that unfolds. to the thread.

5. Baylor at BYU, Sept. 10

Another future Big 12 game will come when defending conference champions Baylor travel to Provo, Utah to take on BYU in one of the best environments college football has to offer. Could this be a look at the future of the Big 12 Championship race? Who knows, but we could be in a defensive battle in this year’s game.

4. Iowa State at Iowa, September 10

The in-state rivalry between Iowa State and Iowa may be one that continues to frustrate Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell more often than not, but emotions will run high in a game. which could easily result in a defensive slugfest or an upside down top. score business that no one sees coming. A win in Iowa City would be huge for the Cyclones.

3. West Virginia at Pittsburgh, Sept. 1

While we’d rather see this rivalry game played at the end of the regular season, we can’t be crazy to start the new college football season with intense rivalry play finally returning to the field. And we even get that on a Thursday night to get an early jump on the Week 1 schedule. And don’t forget that West Virginia will face the defending champions ACC.

2. Oklahoma at Nebraska, September 17

This old Big 8 rivalry was finally renewed last season for the first time since Nebraska left the Big 12 for the Big Ten, and host Sooners had to come up with big plays to avoid the Cornhuskers’ big upset apparently. upgraded. This season, an Oklahoma program in some transition could be in for a road battle against a Nebraska team desperate for a signature win.

1. Texas vs. Alabama, September 10

Texas is hoping to make a small statement to SEC class when the Longhorns host Alabama in Week 2. The Crimson Tide may not be the defending national champions, but they are clearly way ahead of the Longhorns. Nick Saban has lost twice to former assistants in 2021, the first time this has happened in his career. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian hopes to add another to that tally with a victory that would send Texas fans and “Texas is back” to the moon in a hurry.

Podcast: The BFC playoff extension is on hold (for now), Arizona State’s poor offseason continues, and games are building excitement for Week 1

— Written by Kevin McGuire, part of the Athlon Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @KevinOnCFBon Instagram, and Like it on Facebook.

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