Sure, the 2024 season had some interesting nonconference games, but when we look back at the year, it was conference play that stole the show. A four-way tie for first place and three teams ending the year with 11 wins doesn’t even begin to explain the year that the Big 12 enjoyed, but man, it was fun to watch.
Odds are that will be the case again in 2025, as the league looks as wide open as ever with several teams returning key starters and others filling in the gaps with intriguing portal pieces. With that said, it’s going to be hard to look past the slate of nonconference games that the league will play next season.
A quick glance at the non-con schedules makes it easy to get excited about the coming season—even if it’s still months away. Here are some of the best ones from the list (excluding annual rivalries like Iowa State vs. Iowa and SMU vs. TCU).
Cincinnati vs. Nebraska (Kansas City, MO)
Thursday, Aug. 28 (Week 1)
This game was initially supposed to be played at Nippert Stadium but was moved to Indianapolis after Cincinnati’s game at Nebraska was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Apparently Nebraska threw a big enough fit about going to Indianapolis that now it’s being played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Georgia Tech at Colorado
Saturday, Aug. 30 (Week 1)
Brent Key is one of the best young head coaches in football and has the Yellow Jackets headed in the right direction. Both teams finished well ahead of schedule in 2024, and if Deion Sanders sticks around in Boulder, this should be a fun game.
TCU at North Carolina
Saturday, Aug. 30 (Week 1)
This being Bill Belichick’s first game as a head coach in college football is reason enough to tune in. Add the fact that Sonny Dykes’ team is coming off nine wins and quietly finished the year on a roll, and you’ve got a game that should grab the attention of any Big 12 fan.
Utah at UCLA
Saturday, Aug. 30 (Week 1)
The fact that neither team in this game will represent the Pac-12 feels weird, right? Kyle Whittingham’s group will have something to prove in 2025, and what better way to kick a season off than to take down an old conference foe on their home turf?
Auburn at Baylor
Saturday, Aug. 30 (Week 1)
Noticing a trend in Week 1? There are a total of 10 games between Power Four opponents in Week 1, and the Big 12 is involved in five of them. Auburn vs. Baylor is undoubtedly my favorite of the bunch, though, as Dave Aranda vs. Hugh Freeze should be as fun as it gets.
Oklahoma State at Oregon
Saturday, Sept. 6 (Week 2)
Mike Gundy and the Cowboys are coming off the worst season of his tenure, and how does fate reward them? A Week 2 road trip to Eugene to take on a top-five Oregon team that just won a Big Ten championship. That should be fun.
Kansas at Missouri
Saturday, Sept. 6 (Week 2)
It looked like we might get this matchup in the Liberty Bowl a couple of years ago but rumor has it that Missouri dodged the Jayhawks. Well, there’s no dodging this one, as we’ll finally get the Border War for the first time since 2011.
Baylor at SMU
Saturday, Sept. 6 (Week 2)
How does Auburn and then SMU in consecutive weeks sound to start the 2025 season? That’s what Baylor will get and in this matchup, they’ll be on the road. This game will actually serve as SMU’s season opener too, so there will be quite a bit of juice in this one.
Arizona State at Mississippi State
Saturday, Sept. 6 (Week 2)
Anyone need more Cowbell? Well, if you’re planning on going to Starkville, you’re going to get it. Keny Dillingham and the Sun Devils are playing the return game in this home-and-home series after beating the Bulldogs 30-23 in Tempe last year.
Pitt at West Virginia
Saturday, Sept. 13 (Week 3)
Rich Rodriguez and the Mountaineers will be chomping at the bit ahead of this one, and after giving away a win last year in Pittsburgh, WVU fans should be riled up. Please let this be a night game in Morgantown…
North Carolina at UCF
Saturday, Sept. 20 (Week 4)
If you miss the TCU-UNC game in Week 1, here’s your chance to see Bill Belichick and the Tarheels. With this game being in Orlando, there’s a sliver of hope that we get a classic Belichick cut-off hoodie on the sidelines.
