By: Ryan Moreland (@ryanmoreland)
Just like the first two conferences, this is another with one team on top, two ties in the middle, and one team on the bottom. This could be an exciting finish, but before we jump in, let’s look at the tiebreakers.
| Order | Tiebreaker |
| 1 | Conference Record |
| 2 | Head-to-Head |
| 3 | Record vs common conference opponents |
| 4 | Point differential vs common conference opponents |
| 5 | Record vs common overall opponents |
| 6 | Point differential vs common overall opponents |
| 7 | Overall record |
| 8 | Overall point differential |
Since every conference team will eventually play each other, most ties will end with a head-to-head. However, there can be scenarios that take us much deeper (just look at the Big XII last season).
Now, for how the playoffs work. The top three teams in each conference will get an automatic bid into the playoffs. After that has been settled, then the last 4 teams will be voted in by a league-wide vote. After the field is set, seeding will begin. This season, the top 8 teams will be seeded and then they will get to draft their opening-round opponents (which I cannot wait to write content about).
I cannot predict which way the vote will go, so for these articles, I will be focusing on the automatic bids.
Also, keep in mind that three-way tiebreakers are broken for the top team and then the two remaining games go back to head-to-head.
Current Standings
| Team | Overall Record | Conference Record | Tiebreaker Reason (if applicable) |
| Texas | 5-1 | 3-0 | |
| Oklahoma | 4-2 | 2-1 | Head-to-Head Win |
| Texas A&M | 2-4 | 2-1 | Head-to-Head Loss |
| Colorado | 2-4 | 1-2 | Head-to-Head Win |
| LSU | 2-4 | 1-2 | Head-to-Head Loss |
| West Virginia | 1-5 | 0-3 | |
The tiebreakers are well-defined in the Big XII and could have a huge impact on the final standings.
Conference Title Race
Texas is in the driver’s seat right now. All they need to do is keep winning and they will win their 8th conference title. They could clinch the Big XII crown this week if they win over Colorado AND Texas A&M losses to LSU.
Oklahoma needs a 3-way tie or a Texas lose-out for them to take the conference title. This is because the Sooners lost earlier this season to Texas.
Texas A&M could win the conference title by winning out, including a Week 8 win over Texas, AND an Oklahoma loss. There is a chance that Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M end the season tied and the conference championship will be decided by point differential among common conference opponents (just like last season in this conference). Oklahoma currently holds the advantage in that stat (Oklahoma +22, Texas A&M +9, Texas +8).
No other team has a chance at a conference title in the Big XII unless as the result of a wild tie.
Playoff Race
Texas hasn’t punched their ticket officially yet, but it is very close. With a win over Colorado, they can guarantee themselves a playoff spot.
Oklahoma can punch their ticket this week with a bit of help. If the Sooners win AND LSU loses, then Oklahoma will be in the playoffs no matter what.
Texas A&M will punch their ticket with a win over LSU AND and Oklahoma win. That would make it impossible for Colorado to catch them.
Colorado needs a win this week to keep the dream alive. They have head-to-head losses to both Oklahoma and Texas A&M, so a tie with them (even a 3-way tie) does them no good. The way for the Buffs to get in is to get over them or for Texas to lose out while Colorado wins out.
LSU is still in the mix and it’s a much simpler route than Colorado. However, it is not any easier. The Tigers close the season with Texas A&M and Oklahoma. If they can win those games, they punch their ticket.
West Virginia still has a chance, but they need a lot of help. West Virginia would need to blow out Colorado and Oklahoma then force a tie that includes at least one of them and pray they have the best point differential in the group. However, even if they don’t get the automatic bid, wins over Colorado and Oklahoma would make them a safe pick in the vote-in.
