Summer is a time of making plans, whether it be camping trips or a new vacation, but for college football fans, summer is about setting your schedule for the fall.
An unorganized fan will miss the under-the-radar classics, so let me help you out when it comes to the Big 12’s nonconference schedule. The Big 12 Conference remains wide open and underrated heading into 2026, and many of these games will be a measuring stick for whether these teams can compete not only in the Big 12 but also on the national stage.
Here are the 10 best nonconference games featuring Big 12 schools in 2026.
While it isn’t the Backyard Brawl, West Virginia taking on its neighboring state should create some bad blood. Virginia was shockingly competitive in the ACC last season and looks to build on that next year. This game could prove pivotal early in the season for both teams, determining how far Rich Rodriguez can expect his Mountaineers to go in 2026.
at Auburn (Sept. 5)
Baylor carried Big 12 contender hype into this matchup last season, only to be taken to task by Auburn. With that history in mind, Baylor should be ready for a battle against an Auburn team that is finally getting back on track. Going into an SEC environment as the season opener will test the Bears and new quarterback DJ Lagway, providing a fantastic game while many Power 4 schools are beating up on FCS opponents in week 1.
Anytime an SEC opponent travels to Big 12 country, it’s going to be of interest, even if Arkansas isn’t considered among the conference’s best offerings. This is an early test under the lights on ESPN for new Utes head coach Morgan Scalley and the offense that is supposed to compete for a Big 12 title this year. While the game might not be the most exciting on paper, this is one to keep an eye on early in the season.
at Iowa (Sept. 12)
I love the history and tradition of the Cy-Hawk football game, but this one sits high on the list because of the ransacking of Iowa State’s football program. With head coach Matt Campbell leaving for Penn State, the Cyclones are in rebuilding mode and not quite at Iowa’s level. That said, this game should still be a fun one for the pageantry and rival atmosphere that you can’t find in most other nonconference battles.
at Northwestern (Sept. 19)
Colorado is one of the largest unknowns heading into 2026, with another year of severe roster turnover setting up what feels like a make-or-break year for head coach Deion Sanders. They’ll head to the windy city for a week 3 showdown against a team restarting with some intriguing pieces in Aidan Chiles and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. With a few weeks to settle in, this game will reveal a lot about these two teams and feature exciting offenses.
The Border War carries enough weight to be appointment television every year, even if the stakes aren’t as high as they once were. Kansas is heading into uncharted territory without quarterback Jalon Daniels after a disappointing 2025 season and faces a difficult test against Missouri. The Jayhawks should be hungry for their first rivalry win in over 15 years, producing an electric environment at David Booth Memorial Stadium for a potential classic.
Nearly every college football fan will be tuning in for this as it kicks off Week 0 in Dublin, Ireland, but they should be in for a treat. TCU blew out Bill Belichick’s North Carolina to open last season, but they enter a completely different team on offense. If the Horned Frogs manage to repeat their 2025 result, it should put them in the upper echelon tier of the Big 12.
at Texas A&M (Sept. 12)
Arizona State’s turbulent 2025 is behind them, and now it’s time for Kenny Dillingham to produce another Big 12 title contender. Going to College Station to face Texas A&M is about as significant a matchup as you can get in nonconference play, although I have some doubts that the Sun Devils can hang with the Aggies this early on in the season. While the game might not become an instant classic, there’s enough hype for both teams to make watching this one a must.
Oklahoma State’s hype train has been full steam ahead this offseason, but this matchup will be the true measuring stick. Oregon will be a National Championship contender yet again, and the Cowboys’ potent offense will have to hang with the very best. It helps that this game is on Big 12 soil in Stillwater, which might make this a closer game if the Ducks stumble out of the gate.
BYU enters the 2026 season as the favorite to win the Big 12 title in my book, so bringing in Notre Dame is the definition of appointment television. Both of these teams will likely make the College Football Playoff, which means we won’t only get a look at two of the nation’s best teams, but a game that has serious CFP seeding implications.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Ranking Big 12 football top nonconference games in 2026
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