Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark had high hopes for the conference’s football schedule in November, branding it as the “race for the championship.” However, despite the parity in the league, the Big 12 is struggling to make a strong case for multiple College Football Playoff berths and high individual CFP rankings. Arizona State, currently atop the Big 12, is ranked 16th in the CFP rankings and is in a good position to win the conference title.
While ASU’s path to the Big 12 title game seems promising, the Big 12 as a whole is facing challenges when it comes to securing a first-round bye in the 12-team playoff. With the possibility of a Group of 5 conference champion ranking higher than a Power 5 conference champion, the Big 12 may be at risk of missing out on a bye if they don’t perform well in the remaining games.
Fiesta Bowl executive director Erik Moses believes that it could be troublesome for the Big 12 if they fail to secure a team in the College Football Playoff or get a bye. ASU’s position as a potential 12 seed in the playoff bracket could impact the conference’s chances of being successful in the postseason. ASU needs to win convincingly in the Big 12 Championship to ensure the conference’s presence in the playoff.
As the regular season comes to a close, the Big 12 and its teams are facing uncertainty regarding their playoff prospects. With ASU leading the way, the conference will need a strong showing in the remaining games to stay in contention for a coveted CFP spot.
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