Big 12 Football Rolls Out 16-Team Scheduling Matrix
Nov 1, 2023, 12:17 PM | Updated: Nov 2, 2023, 11:36 am
SALT LAKE CITY – The Big 12 football action will grow to 16 teams in 2024. One of the featured rivalries in the new Big 12 is BYU versus Utah.
The Big 12 Conference rolled out its scheduling matrix for the next four years. No dates were announced, but the matchups that teams will play in the Big 12 during the nine-game conference schedules was released on Wednesday.
A closer look at #Big12FB in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣ pic.twitter.com/q5AD8mYM0B
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) November 1, 2023
Big 12 Football Scheduling Matrix
The Big 12 will welcome Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah to the Big 12 in 2024. Legacy members Texas and Oklahoma are moving on to the SEC.
“As we look towards the future of this Conference, we are thrilled to introduce the first football scheduling matrix for the new-look Big 12,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark. “I’m grateful to our membership for their support throughout the scheduling process. In this model, competitive balance and student-athlete wellness was prioritized. Rivalries will be protected and new matchups will be introduced – the excitement and parity this Conference is known for will continue for years to come.”
During the upcoming four years, all teams will play one another at least once, home and away.
Protected rivalries
The protected rivalries over the next four years in the Big 12 football schedule include the return of the in-state matchup between BYU and Utah. Other protected rivalries include Baylor vs. TCU, Kansas vs. K-State, and Arizona vs. Arizona State.
Protected Big 12 rivalries: BYU vs. Utah, Baylor vs. TCU, Kansas vs. K-State, and Arizona vs. Arizona State.#BYUFootball #Big12
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 1, 2023
BYU will travel to Salt Lake City to face Utah in 2024. Then, the Utes will come to Provo in 2025, and so on.
Utah’s first nine Big 12 opponents in 2024 are Arizona, BYU, TCU, and Iowa State in Salt Lake City. On the road, Utah travels to Arizona State, Colorado, Houston, Oklahoma State, and UCF.
Not listed on Utah’s Big 12 opponents for next season is Baylor. The Bears are scheduled to travel to Salt Lake City next season, which was initially going to be a non-conference game. It would appear that game will remain a non-conference tilt. Utah AD Mark Harlan hinted at that possibility in September to KSL Sports.
BYU will have Arizona State, Utah, Baylor, and UCF away from Provo. Then Arizona, Houston, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and Kansas State all come to LaVell Edwards Stadium next season.
Dates and kickoff times will be announced at a later date. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said the schedule should be announced in late November/early December.
Key factors in deciding the matchups included balancing annual travel by distance and time zones, as well as maintaining connectivity to rivalries without compromising a balanced rotation for all teams.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X and Threads: @Mitch_Harper.
