How each Big 12 team can make the playoff

There are only three weeks left in the 2024 college football regular season, and playoff races are heating up in every conference.

The Big 12 has been one of the biggest toss-up conferences in all of Power 5 this season, especially after Iowa State lost their last two games after starting off the season 7-0.

Here’s a breakdown of all the Big 12 teams who still have a chance of making it to the College Football Playoff.

No. 6 BYU: They just keep winning

The Cougars have found ways to win each week, whether it be a last-minute touchdown or a game-winning field goal.

BYU has won three of their six conference games this season by single digits.

With a high ranking and signature wins over No. 14 SMU and No. 16 Kansas State, the Cougars should get into the Playoff regardless of the result in the Big 12 Championship Game.

No. 17 Colorado: The Prime effect

It cannot be understated how much of a turnaround the Buffaloes have had in year two under head coach Deion Sanders.

At the head of an offense that scores 32.4 points per game is their quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, whose 2,882 passing yards ranks sixth in the FBS.

Colorado has yet to beat a ranked team, however, and that means they will likely have to win the Big 12 Championship to get into the Playoff.

No. 16 Kansas State: Building a resume

The Wildcats’ remaining schedule includes two 7-2 teams in Iowa State and Arizona State, as well as a 5-4 Cincinnati team.

K-State is in need of a signature win, and they need to win out and rely on a Colorado loss to get into the Big 12 Championship Game.

Their biggest win of the season so far has been a 31-28 result over No. 17 Colorado, and other than that their strength of victory has been subpar up to this moment.

Iowa State: Forgetting the past

After starting the season 7-0, the Cyclones have come crashing down following back-to-back losses to Texas Tech and Kansas.

Once a top 15 team, they now have become unranked in the latest AP Top 25 poll.

Iowa State needs two losses by No. 17 Colorado and to win out in order to have a chance at turning this season back around and into the Big 12 Championship Game.

Arizona State: Surviving the home stretch

The Sun Devils’ conference wins so far have come against four teams in the bottom five of the Big 12, including Kansas, Utah, Oklahoma State, and UCF.

Having yet to beat a ranked team this season, they have two back-to-back opportunities in No. 16 Kansas State and No. 6 BYU.

If Arizona State can get through that stretch and beat Arizona, two losses by Colorado could get the Sun Devils into the Big 12 Championship Game for a shot at the Playoff.

West Virginia: So you’re telling me there’s a chance?

The 5-4 Mountaineers are tied for third in the Big 12 with Iowa State, No. 16 Kansas State, and Arizona State.

The first step of making it to the Playoff is through the Big 12 Championship Game, where they’d first have to win out against Baylor, UCF, and Texas Tech.

West Virginia would also need No. 17 Colorado to lose to Kansas and another team, as well as a loss for No. 16 Kansas State, Arizona State, and Iowa State in order to get a shot at the Playoff.

Bryan Portney is a first-year broadcast journalism major. To contact him, email bep5295@psu.edu.