In an exciting development, the Big 12 Conference has unveiled its scheduling matrix for the upcoming four-year period from 2024 to 2027. The conference's new schedule aims to promote competitive balance, protect key rivalries, and prioritize student-athlete wellness. The announcement comes as the conference undergoes significant changes, with new teams joining and stalwarts departing.

The Big 12 will maintain a nine-game conference schedule, ensuring each of the 16 teams in the conference will face off against each other at least once over the four-year period. Notably, the conference plans to preserve only four permanent rivalries: Baylor-TCU, Arizona-Arizona State, BYU-Utah, and Kansas-Kansas State.

One of the key considerations in the new schedule is geography. The Big 12 spans three time zones, and efforts have been made to minimize travel disruption. Matchups have been carefully designed to accommodate the expansive reach of the conference.

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark expressed his gratitude towards the conference members for their support throughout the scheduling process. He acknowledged the importance of maintaining the excitement and parity that the Big 12 is known for, while also introducing new matchups.

The Big 12 has undergone significant changes in recent years. In the summer, UCF, Houston, Cincinnati, and BYU joined the conference, bringing an end to the full round-robin schedule that had been in place for over a decade. Meanwhile, traditional powerhouses Texas and Oklahoma are set to depart, with Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and Arizona State poised to enter the conference in 2024, following their departure from the Pac-12.

Interestingly, despite its expansion to 16 teams, the Big 12 has opted to continue operating without divisions. Instead, the top two teams in the conference will face off in the Big 12 Championship Game, adding another layer of excitement and competition to the conference's football landscape.

With the conclusion of the scheduling process, fans and players alike can look forward to the future of Big 12 football. The conference's commitment to maintaining rivalries and introducing new matchups guarantees years of thrilling and unpredictable competition on the gridiron.