KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Big 12 conference is gearing up for an exciting season with new teams and challenging matchups on the horizon. With the departure of longtime members Oklahoma and Texas, the conference welcomes Arizona State, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado to the mix.
Arizona State kicks off their season against Wyoming, a team that won nine games last year. Arizona faces New Mexico before a tough matchup against No. 18 Kansas State. Utah starts with Southern Utah and then takes on Baylor, a team looking to bounce back from a challenging season.
Colorado, under the leadership of high-profile coach Deion Sanders, faces North Dakota State, a formidable opponent from the Football Championship Subdivision. Sanders acknowledges the strength of North Dakota State and the challenge they present.
TCU faces Stanford, now part of the ACC, while West Virginia hosts No. 8 Penn State in a highly anticipated matchup. West Virginia coach Neal Brown sees the Penn State game as a significant opportunity for his team and the conference to showcase their football prowess.
Looking ahead, Iowa State, Kansas, and Colorado have tough nonconference games against Big Ten opponents, while Arkansas and Mississippi State face off against Big 12 teams. Cincinnati takes on ACC rival Pittsburgh in another exciting matchup.
Winning in Week 1 holds importance for West Virginia and the Big 12 as they aim to make a statement early in the season. Brown emphasizes the need for marquee wins to elevate the conference's reputation and competitiveness.
As the season unfolds, the Big 12 looks to solidify its standing as one of the most competitive and deep football leagues in the country. Teams like TCU have shown promise, but the conference aims for more success in the playoffs to showcase their strength on a national stage.
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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
