The Big 12 Conference is done with non-conference football action. There are seven games and 14 teams playing for positioning as the season moves into October.
At least one team will fall from the ranks of the undefeated, as Texas Tech and Houston will play each other on Saturday evening. The standings could look quite different when they turn over on Sunday morning.
Here are five key points going into Week 6, along with their significance.
Note 1: The Undefeated
BYU, Houston, Iowa State, and Texas Tech give the Big 12 four teams with 4-0 starts to the season for the first time since 2015.
What it Means: It’s nice. In fact, the conference is tied for the most undefeated teams through five weeks. But that will change this weekend, as noted. Houston and Texas Tech face each other. Iowa State heads to Cincinnati, and BYU hosts West Virginia.
It would be quite meaningful to the league if it had three undefeated teams entering Week 7. The longer more teams remain undefeated, the better the conference’s chances of getting more than one team in the College Football Playoffs. So, yes, it could mean something.
Note 2: The Win Streak
BYU and Iowa State are two of nine FBS teams with active win streaks of six or more victories.
What it Means: Iowa State’s streak dates back to its Pop-Tarts Bowl win last year. Remember — the Cyclones have already played five games this season, thanks to the opener in Ireland. BYU’s streak goes back to its season finale last season, followed by the Alamo Bowl win over Colorado. In fact, the Cougars have beaten the Buffs twice during the streak.
Considering the streak spans two seasons for both teams, it says something about the consistency on both rosters and how those coaches – namely ISU’s Matt Campbell and BYU’s Kalani Sitake — have managed the development of talent and the procurement of new players through the transfer portal.
Note 3: Fantastic Finishes
The Big 12 had three Conference games decided by three or fewer points in Week Five, one shy of its single-week record of four in Week 10 of the 2023 season.
What it Means: It underscores what many say about this conference — that it is the most competitive in college football. Last weekend, Arizona State beat TCU, 27-24; Houston rallied to beat Oregon State, 27-24, in overtime; and BYU beat Colorado, 24-21. Four of the five Big 12 teams were either undefeated in league play or undefeated overall going into the weekend. It shows that it’s going to be hard for any of these remaining undefeated teams to get to the finish line without a blemish.
Note 4: Arizona State
Arizona State’s eight consecutive wins over Big 12 opponents, including the 2024 Big 12 Football Championship, mark the longest such streak among all Power Four programs.
What it Means: It means that Arizona State is still a favorite to reach the Big 12 Football Championship game for the second straight year. The loss in non-conference that the Sun Devils absorbed against Mississippi State a few weeks ago appears to have been little more than a speed bump. But it’s unlikely Arizona State gets through conference action undefeated.
Note 5: Best Defense
Big 12 defenses have tallied 46 interceptions this season, which are the most of any FBS conference.
What it Means: It means Big 12 defensive backs are some of the best in the country. The top of the class includes Texas Tech’s Brice Pollock and Utah’s Jackson Bennee, each of which have three picks this season.
