The Big 12 just dropped its 2026 football schedule, and there’s a lot to unpack. From a shift in the Championship Game’s timing to some early-season shakeups and a rivalry weekend that still feels like it’s missing a key piece, the conference is clearly trying to carve out a unique identity in the evolving college football landscape. Let’s break down the biggest takeaways from the release-and what they mean for fans and programs alike.
Big 12 Championship Game Moves to Friday Night
The Big 12 Championship Game is officially moving to Friday night, and while that might raise some eyebrows at first glance, there’s a strategic edge to it. For years, the game has occupied the early Saturday window-usually an 11:00 a.m. kickoff-which has served the conference well. But shifting to Friday night gives the Big 12 a standalone spotlight, away from the Saturday logjam of conference title games.
From a fan’s perspective, this is a win. No more setting alarms for 6:30 a.m. tailgates just to make it to Arlington in time for kickoff. Instead, fans get a full Friday night under the lights at AT&T Stadium, with the eyes of the college football world squarely on them.
There’s also a bigger media play here. By moving the Big 12 title game to Friday, ESPN can slide the ACC Championship into that early Saturday slot, setting up a clean, three-conference showcase on Saturday: ACC, SEC, and Big Ten, each with its own window. It’s a smart move that gives the Big 12 a primetime platform and avoids direct competition with the Big Ten’s primetime game.
The venue stays the same-Arlington’s AT&T Stadium remains the home for the title game-but the time shift adds a fresh wrinkle. It’s another example of Commissioner Brett Yormark thinking outside the box and positioning the Big 12 to stand out in a crowded market.
Circle Week 7-It’s Absolutely Stacked
If you’re looking for the can’t-miss weekend on the Big 12 calendar, circle October 17th-Week 7. This slate is loaded with rivalry games, marquee matchups, and the kind of storylines that make college football special.
We’re talking Arizona State at Texas Tech, TCU at Baylor, Kansas at Kansas State, and Notre Dame at BYU. That’s a heavyweight lineup.
You’ve got traditional rivalries, regional showdowns, and a national brand in Notre Dame heading to Provo for a high-stakes clash with BYU. This is the kind of week that defines a season.
Don’t be shocked if the Big 12 stretches the action out with a Thursday or Friday night game to make the most of the weekend. But regardless of the schedule tweaks, Week 7 is shaping up as the conference’s crown jewel. If you’re planning a fall wedding, maybe steer clear of that date.
Early Conference Games Are Here to Stay
The days of easing into the season with three non-conference games are over-at least in the Big 12. The 2026 schedule continues the trend of early conference matchups, with BYU hosting Arizona in Week 2. Then in Week 3, Houston heads to Texas Tech, and Arizona State meets Kansas in a game that will be played in London.
Yes, London.
This shift isn’t necessarily better or worse-it’s just different. The Big Ten and SEC have leaned into early conference games for years, and now the Big 12 is following suit.
That means programs that used to treat September as a tune-up period-think Bill Snyder’s Kansas State teams or Mike Gundy’s Oklahoma State squads-have to recalibrate. There’s no more ramp-up.
The stakes are high from the jump.
It’s a reflection of the modern college football calendar, where exposure, TV windows, and competitive balance matter more than tradition. And for fans, it means meaningful football right out of the gate.
Still Waiting on the Holy War in Rivalry Week
There’s one glaring omission in Week 13: Utah vs. BYU.
The Holy War is one of college football’s most intense, storied rivalries. It’s got history, passion, and a built-in audience that tunes in no matter what the records are. So why isn’t it being played during Rivalry Week?
The Big 12 has slotted in some key matchups for that final Saturday-Arizona vs. Arizona State and the always-underrated Farmageddon (Iowa State vs.
Kansas State). But not having Utah-BYU in that Week 13 window feels like a missed opportunity.
Even if the game kicks off late-say, in a 10:00 p.m. ET slot-it would still draw huge numbers.
The storyline potential is endless, especially with both teams now in the same conference. It’s time for the Big 12 to fully embrace the Holy War as a marquee rivalry and give it the national stage it deserves on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Big 12 football schedule is more than just dates and matchups-it’s a glimpse into where the conference is headed. From strategic scheduling moves to high-stakes early games and rivalry weekend decisions, the Big 12 is clearly trying to define its identity in the new era of college football.
There’s still room for tweaks-especially when it comes to showcasing its best rivalries-but overall, the league is leaning into innovation and opportunity. And for fans, that means more meaningful football, more primetime moments, and more weekends worth clearing the calendar for.