Big 12 Football Standings: Week 13 Decides Championship Fate

With the Big 12 championship race heating up, Week 13 games could dramatically reshape the conference standings and playoff trajectories. As teams battle for positioning, every matchup carries high stakes—from conference supremacy to coveted College Football Playoff berths.

Current Standings Context

While official standings fluctuate weekly, the expanded Big 12 features a tightly contested race. Teams like BYU, Kansas State, and Arizona State remain in the thick of the hunt, making Week 13 pivotal for their championship aspirations. Tiebreakers and head-to-head results will ultimately determine who advances to the conference title game.

Key Week 13 Matchups Impacting Standings

ESPN Analytics provides critical win probabilities for this slate of games, offering insights into potential outcomes:

• Kansas at Iowa State (10 a.m., FS1): The Cyclones hold a commanding 63.9% win probability, positioning them to strengthen their conference standing. A Jayhawks upset (36.1%) would create major chaos in the lower tiers of the standings.
• Baylor at Arizona (11 a.m., TNT): Arizona's 68.2% edge suggests they'll solidify their position. A Bears victory (31.8%) could elevate Baylor in the standings while derailing Arizona's momentum.
• Kansas State at Utah (2 p.m., ESPN2): Utah's 88.6% dominance effectively ends Kansas State's slim championship hopes. A Wildcats win (11.4%) would be the biggest upset of the season, reshuffling the top contenders.
• BYU at Cincinnati (6 p.m., FOX): BYU's 67.5% probability highlights their role as a dark horse. A Bearcats win (32.5%) would boost Cincinnati's playoff odds and impact the Big 12's overall strength.

Championship Scenarios and Tiebreakers

Multiple teams could finish with identical records, forcing complex tiebreaker protocols. Head-to-head results, conference records, and even BCS rankings will determine seedings. For example:

"If BYU and Arizona State both win out, their head-to-head matchup could decide who represents the conference in the championship game."

Utah's near-certain win over Kansas State further complicates the picture, as it thins the field of legitimate contenders while elevating the importance of games like Arizona State vs. Colorado.

Implications for the College Football Playoff

Big 12 teams rely on strong showings to bolster their CFP résumés. High-profile matchups like BYU at Cincinnati (67.5% BYU win probability) serve as prime opportunities to impress the selection committee. Conversely, losses to underdogs could derail playoff hopes entirely.

What's Next?

Week 13 results will set the stage for the final two weeks of the regular season. Teams emerging with key victories—especially against ranked opponents—will hold the upper hand in the championship chase. Expect updates to standings and playoff projections to shift dramatically as the weekend unfolds.