These 10 must-see games will highlight a loaded Big 12 football schedule in 2025

Although there was no Big 12 preseason football poll for the upcoming season, there’s still plenty of excitement around the league.

Most media rankings have either Texas Tech or Arizona State as the favorite to win the league, so there is no consensus predicted winner. The league should be competitive from top to bottom, with a good opportunity for teams to surprise — like ASU did last season.

Our Kansas and K-State beat writers have compiled a list of 10 games worth putting on your calendar for this season, including a few from the teams they cover.

Here are 10 must-watch Big 12 games in 2025:

Shreyas Laddha, Kansas Jayhawks beat writer

1. Kansas vs. K-State (Oct. 25)

The Jayhawks look to end a 16-game losing streak vs. the Wildcats in the newly renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. In the last two matchups, the Jayhawks came very close to beating the Wildcats, but K-State prevailed.

KU’s sixth-year quarterback, Jalon Daniels, desperately wants to end his career with a win against rival K-State. The game should be relatively close, but can the Jayhawks finally hold on for a victory? Both fanbases have this game circled and bragging rights will be on the line.

2. Texas Tech vs. Arizona State (Oct. 18)

This game should be fun. The reigning Big 12 champion, Arizona State, faces Texas Tech, a potential favorite to win the conference this season.

The game very well could be a preview of the Big 12 championship game. Texas Tech was one of the few teams to defeat ASU last season. Let’s see if the Sun Devils can redeem themselves this year.

3. Kansas at Texas Tech (Oct. 11)

One of the most anticipated road matchups of the season will take place when KU travels down to Lubbock. The Red Raiders have a 22-3 record vs. the Jayhawks and Kansas will be looking to end a four-game losing streak against TTU.

Kansas last faced Texas Tech in 2023, when the Red Raiders narrowly beat KU 16-13. In that matchup, backup KU QB Cole Ballard (then a third-string walk-on) led Kansas back from a 13-0 deficit ... but Texas Tech kicked a game-winning field goal.

4. Kansas at Iowa State (Nov. 22, 2025)

This is typically a good game. The Jayhawks upset No. 17 Iowa State 45-36 last fall. In fact, KU has won the teams’ last three matchups and leads the all-time series 42-3-33.

This season’s game could be very well be important for both sides and play a factor in each team’s bowl outlook.

5. Arizona State vs. Iowa State (Nov. 1, 2025)

Like ASU’s matchup against Texas Tech, this game could be another potential Big 12 championship game preview. These squads have played just once — in 2024, when Arizona State won 45-19.

ASU will have a target on its back all season long, but Iowa State could earn some revenge for last season. This game should be competitive.

Kellis Robinett, Kansas Wildcats beat writer

1. Kansas State vs. Iowa State (Aug. 23, 2025)

The first Big 12 football game of the season might be hard to top.

It’s always entertaining when K-State and Iowa State meet on the gridiron. Moving the rivalry to Dublin, Ireland and playing it in August will make this a Farmageddon unlike any we have seen before.

What will truly make this game fun, though, is the high stakes. Both teams are ranked in the preseason top 25. Both teams are expected to contend for a conference championship. The winner can take a big step toward Arlington, Texas on the first day of the season.

2. TCU at North Carolina (Sept. 1, 2025)

Josh Hoover is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. The TCU junior threw for 3,949 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. He will look to add to those stats right away this season with a rare Monday night game against new North Carolina coach Bill Belichick. Sounds like must-see football to me.

3. Texas Tech at Kansas State (Nov. 1, 2025)

Many are expecting Texas Tech to climb up the Big 12 standings now that the Red Raiders have become the biggest spenders in the conference. If that happens, a late-season trip to Manhattan could be very meaningful to their league championship hopes.

4. Arizona State at Baylor (Sept. 20, 2025)

These teams would have met in the Big 12 championship game last season, if not for a miracle Hail Mary touchdown pass from former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders against the Bears. So it will be exciting to watch them play in an early-season game with high stakes.

5. West Virginia at UCF (Oct. 18, 2025)

Rich Rodriguez vs. Scott Frost would have been an amazing coaching matchup when they were both at the peak of their powers. Can they turn back the clock now that they have each returned to their old stomping grounds?

This story was originally published August 12, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "These 10 must-see games will highlight a loaded Big 12 football schedule in 2025."

Shreyas Laddha

The Kansas City Star

Shreyas Laddha covers KU hoops and football for The Star. He’s a Georgia native and graduated from the University of Georgia.