Like so many other conferences in college football, the Big 12 forever changed this offseason. Gone are two perennial powers, but here to stay are multiple new teams that you may not associate with the Big 12 … yet.
So with Houston, Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado joining the mix, which teams have the hardest schedules in 2024? The Big 12 Strength of Schedule aims at answering just that.
2024 Big 12 Strength of Schedule
Before we get to the rankings, we need to examine how we arrived at the metrics that produce the numbers.
From our cross-conference strength of schedule:
CFN’s exclusive strength of schedule metric was crafted carefully using as many resources as possible ahead of the 2024 season. Using a bevy of metrics such as returning production, roster projections, coaching staff, incoming talent, home-field advantage, and other factors, the CFN SOS analyzes which teams have the most difficult and easiest schedules this season.
CFN’s strength of schedule metric included each team’s transfer portal classes, valued quarterbacks returning to their school, and continuation among the coaching staffs into the ranking.
These factors all awarded schedule difficulty more heavily based on merit and projection, as opposed to looking back at results from last season, though those results were factored in moderately. They’ve also been updated following all the reports from spring practice, final transfer portal class numbers, and the most up-to-date roster and depth chart files we have on hand.
MORE: Strength of Schedule for All 134 Teams
Here’s how the Big 12 teams stack up ahead of the 2024 season:
1) Houston Cougars
Toughest Game: @ Arizona
Easiest Game: vs. Rice
S.O.S. Score: 17.10
National Rank: 17th
MORE: Houston’s 2024 Football Schedule
2) West Virginia Mountaineers
Toughest Game: @ Arizona
Easiest Game: vs. Albany
S.O.S. Score: 17.00
National Rank: T18th
MORE: West Virginia’s 2024 Football Schedule
3) Arizona State Sun Devils
Toughest Game: @ Arizona
Easiest Game: vs. Wyoming
S.O.S. Score: 16.52
National Rank: 27th
MORE: Arizona State’s 2024 Football Schedule
4) Colorado Buffaloes
Toughest Game: @ Arizona
Easiest Game: vs. North Dakota State
S.O.S. Score: 15.92
National Rank: 33rd
MORE: Colorado’s 2024 Football Schedule
5) TCU Horned Frogs
Toughest Game: @ Utah
Easiest Game: vs. Long Island
S.O.S. Score: 15.79
National Rank: 35th
MORE: TCU’s 2024 Football Schedule
6) BYU Cougars
Toughest Game: @ Utah
Easiest Game: vs. Southern Illinois
S.O.S. Score: 15.58
National Rank: T38th
MORE: BYU’s 2024 Football Schedule
7) Iowa State Cyclones
Toughest Game: @ Utah
Easiest Game: vs. North Dakota
S.O.S. Score: 15.25
National Rank: 44th
MORE: Iowa State’s 2024 Football Schedule
8) Baylor Bears
Toughest Game: @ Utah
Easiest Game: vs. Tarleton State
S.O.S. Score: 15.19
National Rank: 45th
MORE: Baylor’s 2024 Football Schedule
9) Kansas State Wildcats
Toughest Game: vs. Arizona
Easiest Game: vs. UT Martin
S.O.S. Score: 14.60
National Rank: 53rd
MORE: Kansas State’s 2024 Football Schedule
10) UCF Knights
Toughest Game: @ Utah
Easiest Game: vs. New Hampshire
S.O.S. Score: 14.31
National Rank: 54th
MORE: UCF’s 2024 Football Schedule
11) Cincinnati Bearcats
Toughest Game: @ Kansas State
Easiest Game: vs. Towson
S.O.S. Score: 14.29
National Rank: T54th
MORE: Cincinnati’s 2024 Football Schedule
12) Kansas Jayhawks
Toughest Game: @ Kansas State
Easiest Game: vs. Lindenwood
S.O.S. Score: 13.98
National Rank: 58th
MORE: Kansas’ 2024 Football Schedule
13) Oklahoma State Cowboys
Toughest Game: vs. Utah
Easiest Game: vs. South Dakota State
S.O.S. Score: 13.90
National Rank: 59th
MORE: Oklahoma State’s 2024 Football Schedule
14) Utah Utes
Toughest Game: @ Oklahoma State
Easiest Game: vs. Southern Utah
S.O.S. Score: 13.85
National Rank: 60th
MORE: Utah’s 2024 Football Schedule
15) Texas Tech Red Raiders
Toughest Game: @ Arizona
Easiest Game: Abilene Christian
S.O.S. Score: 13.65
National Rank: 62nd
MORE: Texas Tech’s 2024 Football Schedule
16) Arizona Wildcats
Toughest Game: @ Utah
Easiest Game: vs. Northern Arizona
S.O.S. Score: 13.63
National Rank: 63rd
MORE: Arizona’s 2024 Football Schedule
KEEP READING: Top 10 Easiest College Football Schedules in 2024
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!