Big 12 Football Programs Face Scheduling Hurdles for Nonconference Games
Big 12 football programs are experiencing a troubling trend of difficulty in scheduling future nonconference games against other Power Four opponents, raising concerns about their ability to build competitive resumes due to conference schedule changes and the league's recent College…
Salt Lake City, UT, August 29, 2026 —
Big 12 football programs are encountering significant challenges in securing nonconference matchups against opponents from other Power Four conferences. This trend has emerged as a point of concern for athletic directors and coaches within the conference, who are evaluating the impact on team schedules and the potential effects on competitive resume building.
The difficulty in scheduling is reportedly linked to the evolving landscape of conference realignments and changes within the Big 12 itself. As the conference navigates these shifts, finding suitable opponents for future seasons has become more complex. The Power Four designation typically refers to the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC conferences, all of which are seeking to optimize their schedules.
Sources indicate that the recent performance of Big 12 teams in the College Football Playoff has also played a role in these scheduling dynamics. A perceived dip in the league’s national standing can make it more challenging to attract highly-ranked opponents for nonconference contests, as other Power Four programs may prioritize games that they view as more guaranteed wins or opportunities to boost their own playoff credentials.
The inability to schedule robust nonconference slates raises questions about how Big 12 teams will be able to adequately prepare for conference play and, more critically, present a compelling case for College Football Playoff inclusion. A strong nonconference record has historically been a significant factor in selection committee decisions.
The exact nature and scope of the difficulties, including specific examples of scheduling attempts or rejections, were not detailed in the information provided. The contractor’s name or names involved in facilitating these schedules were also not provided. Furthermore, the timeline for when this trend began to intensify or specific dates for upcoming games that are currently unfulfilled were not available.
As the Big 12 continues to adapt, athletic departments will need to explore strategic approaches to navigate these scheduling complexities, aiming to balance competitive challenges with the necessity of building strong out-of-conference résumés.
Story summarized from the original created by Brandon Judd on www.deseret.com, see more information here.
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