In the Big 12 a team with only 2 or less conference losses has a shot at a conference championship game and by extension the Playoff. (Conference Losses)
UCF (4) @ ASU (2)
#8 BYU (0) @ Utah (4)
#17 Iowa State (1) @ Kansas (4)
UWV (2) @ Cincy (2)
Colorado (1) @ Texas Tech (2)
Bye: Kansas State (2)
Vegas seems to have grasped the parity of the Big 12. This week....
#9 BYU (8-0) is only a 4 point favorite at quarterbackless Utah (4-4)
#17 Iowa State (7-1) is only a 3 point favorite at Kansas (2-6)
I guess being a top team in the Big 12 means you won some games, but it doesn't necessarily give you any street cred. Top 10 teams in other conferences are double digit favorites against unranked opponents.
Of the 8 teams remaining in the hunt for the Big 12 belt, not a single one is favored this week by more than 4.5 points.
The "big picture" dream scenario for the Big 12 would probably be for Colorado and BYU to separate themselves from the group and win out. Prime coaching for a spot in the Playoff against an undefeated, top 5 team would be a publicity dream come true. Especially a matchup with the optics of Prime's Colorado contrasted against Provo. It's not exactly a 30 for 30 Catholics v Convicts but it's as much of a headliner as the Big 12 could hope for this season.
Conversely, a Kansas State v West Virginia matchup where everyone has 2+ losses and the country wants Army and Boise State to get the 4th and 5th spots would be the nightmare.
But let the chips fall where they may. ASU gets the same playoff payout regardless of any outcome. My picks bolded and in color above.
