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The Big 12 Conference will likely be America's most competitive top to bottom conference for the 2024 season. Before conference play starts every team will be tested in at least one game. These are the five must-see games during the opening weeks of the season.
No. 5: Arizona at Kansas State
At first glance, you might be wondering why Arizona vs. Kansas State is listed here as a nonconference game. These two teams had agreed to a home-and-home matchup before conference realignment. This game is being played on FOX at 8 p.m. EST on Sept. 13. Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillian will face off against an underrated Kansas State defense. Meanwhile, Avery Johnson will be looking to do what Fifita did in his first season and dominate in his first season as the starter for K-State. This will be the first time Arizona's new head coach Brett Brennan's first Power Four matchup so this will be a good chance to see what he is made of against a seasoned veteran at this level in Chris Klieman.
No. 4: Colorado at Nebraska
These former Big 12 rivals face off in a huge game to see how they match up after disappointing 2023 seasons. Colorado beat Nebraska 36-14 last season in a game that was not close in Boulder. There is a new excitement at Nebraska in Year 2 with head coach Matt Rhule and freshman QB Dylan Raiola. The Buffaloes will look to build on Year 2 with Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders with their stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. Expect the winner of this game to be bowl-eligible as both programs look to get back to where they once were. This game will be played at 7:30 p.m. EST on Sept. 7 on NBC.
No. 3: Penn State at West Virginia
Under head coach Neal Brown the Mountaineers have not been afraid to schedule a tough nonconference schedule. The 2023 matchup in Happy Valley was won late by Penn State 38-15. This year's game will be another tough one for West Virginia, but they will have their rabid fanbase behind them. West Virginia is looking to be a dark horse contender in the Big 12 this season and a strong showing against an outstanding Penn State team will put the conference and America on notice. The game will be played at noon EST on Aug. 31 on Fox on Aug. 31.
No. 2: Houston at Oklahoma
Houston is the only team in the Big 12 this upcoming season to play Texas or Oklahoma upon them leaving the conference for the Southeastern Conference. For that reason alone, this game belongs on the list. This will be the first test for the new head coach Willie Fritz who has won some big games during his tenure at Tulane. While this game will be a tall test for the Cougars, if they can win in Norman,Okla., it would be a boost for Houston and the Big 12. This game is scheduled at 7:45 p.m. EST on Sept. 7 on the SEC Network.
No. 1: West Virginia at Pitt
The Mountaineers make their second appearance on the list with the Backyard Brawl. West Virginia was able to get the win in 2023 at home 17-6 over their bitter rivals. Brown will be looking to beat up on the Panthers again this season with the approval of the West Virginia faithful. QB Garrett Greene will continue to build his legacy in Morgantown, W. Va., with another win over Pitt and attempt to put his name in the hat with an outstanding group of Big 12 quarterbacks. Look for this game at 3:30 p.m. EST on Sept. 14 on ESPN.
Other Big 12 Nonconference Games
The weekend of Sept. 7 will be the weekend most Big 12 teams will play their Power Four nonconference games. That weekend will include games between BYU and SMU, Arkansas and Oklahoma State, Iowa and Iowa State, Baylor and Utah, plus many more. The Baylor vs. Utah game will be similar to the Kansas State vs. Arizona game matching up two Big 12 teams in a nonconference game with prior commitments between the programs before conference realignment.
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