The Big 12 Conference is less than 100 days from kicking off the 2025 college football season with two “Week 0” games on August 23.
One day, Week 0 may turn into a full weekend slate, but for now, it’s more of an appetizer before the full meal: Labor Day weekend, when all 16 teams in the conference hit the field.
What an appetizer it is, though, as we’ll get to see a brand new stadium for one team, while the other game will pit two Big 12 contenders against one another in Dublin, Ireland, on opening Saturday.
If you’re a football fan, your calendar is already filling up. So let us at Heartland College Sports help out. Each week this offseason, our staff will rank the games from least competitive to most competitive. This week, we’re combining Week 0 and Week 1, so expect a few more matchups than usual.
There are 18 games in total. Let’s rank ‘em.
18. Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Texas Tech
When: Saturday, Aug. 30
UAPB went 3-9 last year and lost to Arkansas, 70-0. This one could get out of hand quickly.
17. Wagner at Kansas
When: Friday, Aug. 29
Wagner was 4-8 last season and hasn’t fared well against FBS competition. Their last two matchups against Navy and Rutgers? A combined 76-3 loss. This should be a tune-up for KU.
16. Portland State at BYU
When: Saturday, Aug. 30
The Vikings gave up 70 to Washington State and 56 to Boise State last year. They might put a few points up in Provo, but the Cougars should cruise. (Don’t forget your Cougar Tails.)
15. UT Martin at Oklahoma State
When: Thursday, Aug. 28
UT Martin made the FCS playoffs but lost to Kansas State, 41-9. The Skyhawks are solid, but these matchups rarely end well for them. Oklahoma State should win comfortably.
14. Robert Morris at West Virginia
When: Saturday, Aug. 30
Robert Morris went 7-5, but lost to a 4-8 Utah State team by 22 points. Expect the Mountaineers to handle this one easily. By the third quarter, the party might be better in the parking lot.
13. North Dakota at Kansas State
When: Saturday, Aug. 30
Fresh off a trip to Dublin, K-State will face a solid North Dakota program. Still, this shouldn’t be a trap game. The Wildcats should control it, though the timing isn’t ideal.
12. Northern Arizona at Arizona State
When: Saturday, Aug. 30
NAU made the FCS playoffs and hung with Arizona last year. But ASU, fresh off a CFP appearance and returning 17 starters, should handle business, though it may be closer than expected early.
11. Hawai’i at Arizona
When: Saturday, Sept. 30
Arizona went 4-8. Hawai’i went 5-7. This feels competitive on paper, but the Wildcats at home, against a Warriors team that was 1-4 on the road, should have the edge.
10. Stephen F. Austin at Houston
When: Thursday, Aug. 28
SFA is 7-5 and hasn’t beaten an FBS team since 2003. But Houston has some unknowns, and this could be interesting for a half. That said, Cougars should take care of business.
9. Jacksonville State at UCF
When: Thursday, Aug. 28
Rich Rod left a 9-5 C-USA title team behind at JSU. UCF brings Scott Frost back. This has chaos potential. Quarterback questions linger for both teams, but this might be sneakily competitive.
8. Utah at UCLA
When: Saturday, Aug. 30
A pair of teams that weren’t very good last year get together in LA in a former Pac-12 matchup. The bounce-back from mediocrity should create a moderately competitive game.
7. Cincinnati vs. Nebraska (Kansas City)
When: Thursday, Aug. 28
Neutral site. Old-school Big 8 vibes. Nebraska is the favorite, but Cincy could surprise. The last time these two played? 1906. This one’s got potential.
6. Georgia Tech at Colorado
When: Friday, Aug. 29
Colorado is the wild card. Georgia Tech ended FSU’s Ireland hype last year and went 7-6. But elevation in Boulder could be a factor. Expect a gritty game with the Buffs narrowly taking it.
5. South Dakota at Iowa State
When: Saturday, Aug. 30
Playing a tough FCS team a week after a Dublin trip is brutal. South Dakota was an FCS semifinalist. ISU has struggled with these games before. This one has “fourth-quarter drama” written all over it.
4. Fresno State at Kansas
When: Saturday, Aug. 23
The other Week 0 Big 12 game. Fresno’s new head coach, Matt Entz, knows how to win, and Kansas will be out to prove last year’s 5-7 finish was a fluke. Sneaky good opener and our first look at the new and improved David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
3. Auburn at Baylor
When: Friday, Aug. 29
Two programs looking to prove they belong in the national picture. Baylor won eight games and pushed LSU in the bowl season. Auburn floundered. This one will be physical and close.
2. TCU at North Carolina
When: Monday, Sept. 1
Labor Day spotlight game. Belichick is in Chapel Hill now (yes, that one). TCU is a Big 12 dark horse. Styles clash here, and that alone makes this appointment viewing.
1. Iowa State vs. Kansas State (Dublin)
When: Saturday, Aug. 23
Game of the week. Ireland. Two Big 12 contenders. Four of the last five went ISU’s way, and the last three were decided by 10 points or fewer. Expect fireworks—and jet lag.
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