The college football season continues this weekend as teams gain clarity in their conference title races. Here is the schedule for teams across Texas and the Big 12 Conference:
Friday 11/10
North Texas (3-6, 1-4) in American Athletic Conference at SMU (7-2, 5-0), 8 p.m. CT on ESPN2
North Texas has played well against the contenders in the American in recent weeks and will get another shot against SMU. SMU has won five consecutive games, including pulling out a 36-31 win over Rice last week, and is one of just four teams in the FBS with a top-10 offense and a top-10 defense. SMU quarterback Preston Stone may not play this week as he is still in concussion protocol. If he remains in protocol, redshirt freshman Kevin Jennings will start in his place.
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Saturday 11/11
Texas Tech (4-5, 3-3 Big 12) at No.16 Kansas (7-2, 4-2), 11 a.m. CT on FS1
Last week’s games helped split up a tie atop the Big 12, and Kansas’ upset over Oklahoma moved into the race. The Jayhawks are one of five teams tied for second place in the conference, trailing Texas and Oklahoma State. Kansas has everything to play for, while Texas Tech is trying to salvage a disappointing season filled with injuries.
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Baylor (3-6, 2-4 in Big 12) at No.25 Kansas State (6-3, 4-2), 2 p.m. CT on Big 12 Network/ESPN+
Kansas State is another team vying for the Big 12 title. Its loss to No.7 Texas in overtime last week set Kansas State back temporarily, but the Wildcats can still make a run at the conference title game and have a big matchup looming with Kansas next week. Baylor has to win its final three games to become bowl-eligible.
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No.15 Oklahoma State (7-2, 5-1 in Big 12) at UCF (4-5, 1-5), 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN
After a brutal start to the season, Oklahoma State knocked off archrival Oklahoma and sits tied with Texas atop the Big 12. The Cowboys have won five straight games since settling on Alan Bowman at quarterback and turning to running back Ollie Gordon to carry the offense. UCF has won just one conference game this season.
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Texas State (6-3, 4-2 in Sun Belt) at Coastal Carolina (6-3, 4-2), 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+
Both these teams enter the week in second place in their respective divisions and need help to reach the conference title game. Coastal Carolina may be without star quarterback Grayson McCall, but the Chanticleers still provide a great opportunity for the Bobcats to see how they stack up against the conference’s best teams.
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West Virginia (6-3, 4-2 in Big 12) at No.17 Oklahoma (7-2, 4-2), 6 p.m. CT on Fox
Oklahoma looks to end a two-game losing streak while West Virginia tries to leapfrog the Sooners in the standings. Oklahoma has a much more potent and reliable offense, but West Virginia’s running game and defense have kept it competitive in most games this season.
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Cincinnati (2-7, 0-6 in Big 12) at Houston (4-5,2-4), 6 p.m. CT on FS1
These two schools joined the Big 12 this season and have had their share of struggles. Houston has at least stabilized the quarterback position and found some playmakers while staying close with some of the conference’s contenders, but Cincinnati is still trying to win its first Big 12 game.
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No.7 Texas (8-1, 5-1 in Big 12) at TCU (4-5, 2-3), 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC
The situation was flipped last season as TCU improved to 10-0 on its way to the College Football Playoff while handing Texas its fourth loss of the season. TCU has struggled this season, particularly in one-score games, while the Longhorns are the ones in the conversation for the Big 12 title and a playoff spot.
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Mississippi State (4-5, 1-5 in SEC) at Texas A&M (5-4, 3-3), 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2
Speculation about Jimbo Fisher’s future at Texas A&M continues to grow, and many believe he will be out after this season. The Aggies have played well against some good teams but have not come up with a significant win this season. Meanwhile, Mississippi State has struggled in conference play, only beating Arkansas in a 7-3 game.
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Rice (4-5, 2-3 in American Athletic Conference) at Texas-San Antonio (6-3, 5-0), 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU
Rice gave SMU a run for its money last week and looks to do the same to UTSA. Both schools left Conference USA for the American Athletic Conference this season and have done well. A Rice upset would knock UTSA back in the conference championship race.
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Iowa State (5-4, 4-2 in Big 12) at BYU (5-4, 2-4), 9:15 p.m. CT on ESPN
Iowa State is another team that has found its footing in conference play. The Cyclones started the season 1-2 but have won four of their last six to pull into a tie for second place in the conference. BYU has yet to beat a team in the top six in the Big 12 standings and has scored just 13 points over the last two weeks.
