The BYU Cougars are set to face the Texas Red Raiders in the Big 12 championship on Saturday, with both programs vying to win their first Big 12 championship win.
This game marks the seventh time these sides face off against each other, which includes a regular-season game earlier this season that saw the Red Raiders emerge victorious 29-7.
With both programs currently holding an overall record of 11-1, this mouthwatering encounter is already sold out and is touted to be the most attended Big 12 championship game ever.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that the Big 12 Championship game is already sold out and is on-track to be the highest attended Big 12 title game ever 👀
Two great programs and fanbases that are going to provide an elite atmosphere on Saturday 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1INyvkjSeY
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) December 3, 2025
ESPN host and college football analyst Chris Fowler, ahead of this much-anticipated fixture, gave his insights about how the result of this encounter affects the future of both sides and its ramifications as far as the college football playoffs are concerned.
Fowler began saying how this future is of immense importance for both sides, especially for BYU, considering how the Utah-based side, despite a historical college football campaign, is yet to book a playoff spot.
“You get that Big 12 championship game, people are going to be closely watching whether Texas Tech beats BYU for a second time. If that happens, I know what the commissioner of Big 12 says, but I think BYU’s case would be really damaged”, Fowler stated (0:27)
Fowler further explained how BYU’s potential second loss of the season in the championship game to the Red Raiders would not sit right with the CFP committee and could further affect their playoff chances, while the Red Raiders won’t fall off the bracket despite a Big 12 loss. Fowler also acknowledged how BYU’s Big 12 title could “make a lot of people sweat.”
“Both losses would be to Texas Tech, but a second loss with BYU’s resume would probably be fatal in my view, based on what the committee has done. If they win that game, Texas Tech’s not going to fall out of the bracket, and BYU would be Big 12 champions. That would make a lot of people sweat”, he further elaborated (0:40).
BYU are currently sitting in the 15th spot as per FPI rankings with a 35.3% chance of making it to the playoffs, most of which is contingent on its result against Texas Tech this weekend.
Sitake, McGuire Sign Contract Extensions Ahead Of Big 12 Title Faceoff
BYU’s and Texas Tech’s impressive campaigns have prompted both programs to give their respective head coaches a contract extension ahead of the Big 12 title fixture.
Kalani Sitake, despite being linked to Penn State for a potential head coach gig, signed a contract extension reportedly worth $9 million a season, while his counterpart, Joey McGuire, is set to earn $7 million per year, inking a seven-year extension with the Red Raiders.
Also Read:
- “Very Overrated”: Josh Pate Sounds Alarm As Penn State Coaching Search Spirals Into ‘Disaster’
- “He Could Bounce If He Wanted To”: Michigan Superfan Dave Portnoy Refuses To Fight For Bryce Underwood As Transfer Portal Rumors Swirl
- Lane Kiffin Faces Early Challenge at LSU as DC Blake Baker Emerges as Top Candidate for AAC Team
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
