Report: Big 12 to finalize surprising scheduling model for 2023, 2024 seasons

The Big 12 finds itself in an awkward situation over the next two years thanks to conference realignment. For now, Texas and Oklahoma will be staying until the 2025 season, while BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF joining for 2023. Scheduling has been a big question and according to a report, the Big 12 has found its solution.

According to Ross Dellenger for Sports Illustrated, the Big 12 has agreed on a temporary, two-year scheduling format for football. Although it’s a 14-team conference, there will be no divisions. “Long-standing” rivalries, such as Texas-Oklahoma, will also be protected per the report.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“Conference executives agreed to the temporary, two-year format during meetings earlier this week in Dallas, sources tell Sports Illustrated,” Dellenger said. “They have not officially adopted the model and are still finalizing details.”

Nine conference games will continue to be the number for the Big 12, although the round-robin format will be no more. Whoever winds up being the top two teams in the conference will meet up at AT&T Stadium in Arlington for the Big 12 Championship game.

Assuming Texas and Oklahoma remain in the conference until the 2025 season, the expectation is to get everybody to face off against one another at least once over the two-year period. However, five rivalries are going to be protected, per Dellenger, and played no matter what.

• Texas-Oklahoma
• Oklahoma-Oklahoma State
• Kansas–Kansas State
• Baylor–TCU
• Cincinnati-West Virginia

Of the 10 teams currently in the Big 12, Iowa State and Texas Tech are the only two without a projected protected rivalry.

For the first time since joining the Big 12, West Virginia will have a regional rival to play. They go back with Cincinnati to the Big East days but have not met on the field since 2011.