Ranking the top Big 12 Conference football matchups of 2026

The Big 12's 2026 schedule is built around a handful of games that could decide the playoff race, the conference title and how the league's top teams are viewed nationally. BYU, Texas Tech, Houston and Colorado all have games that should draw plenty of attention, with late-season rivalries and key early tests leading the way.

Here are the best Big 12 conference matchups during the 2026 season.

Houston at Texas Tech (Sept. 18)

Friday, Sept. 18, brings one of the earliest heavyweight games on the Big 12 calendar. Houston gets a road test against a Texas Tech team expected to contend for a national spot, making this an important measuring stick for Willie Fritz's program. This game will also mark the highly anticipated return of reinstated Red Raider quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who will sit out Texas Tech's first two non-conference matchups against Abilene Christian and Oregon State before being cleared to return just in time for the conference opener vs. Houston.

TCU at Texas Tech (Nov. 26)

A Thanksgiving night game in Lubbock always has extra weight, and this one could carry major title and playoff implications. TCU will try to spoil a big season for the Red Raiders, while Texas Tech will be looking to protect its position at the top.

This high-stakes battle pits TCU head coach Sonny Dykes against Texas Tech's Joey McGuire, with both coaching staffs leaning heavily on elite transfer portal additions and returning star players.

Arizona at Texas Tech (Oct. 31)

Arizona's trip to Lubbock should feature two of the conference's more explosive offenses. That kind of game can swing the Big 12 race in a hurry, especially if both teams enter October with momentum. This high-scoring showcase pits Brent Brennan's Wildcats against Joey McGuire's defending Big 12 champion Red Raiders, serving as a defining midseason test for Arizona's star playmakers as they try to pull off an upset in a hostile environment.

Utah at Colorado (Oct. 17)

Colorado's home game against Utah may be the Buffs' most important regular-season test. This highly anticipated matchup features Deion Sanders' revamped Colorado Buffaloes hosting a powerhouse Utah Utes squad, and looking for redemption from a 53-7 loss in 2025. With new star additions through the transfer portal and returning quarterback Julian "JuJu" Lewis, the Buffs face a massive and unusual midseason test against the Utes.

BYU at Utah (Nov. 7)

BYU-Utah remains the league's toughest rivalry game, and it could again shape the Big 12 title picture. Both programs are expected to stay near the top of the conference, which only raises the stakes in Salt Lake City. The 2026 matchup also spotlights a thrilling quarterback battle between BYU's clear starter, Bear Bachmeier, and dynamic Utah signal-caller Devon Dampier.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Ranking the best Big 12 conference football games of the 2026 season