With the realignment of the Big 12 in 2024, the conference introduced new tiebreaking procedures to determine which teams would compete in the Big 12 Championship Game. The Big 12 tiebreakers were revised to accommodate the move to 16 teams.
The Big 12 standings are first determined based on record against other opponents within the conference. No games against non-conference opponents are considered when looking at who competes in the Big 12 Conference Championship Game. In the event of a tie when it comes to conference winning percentage, the following tiebreakers are used.
To find out how PFSN’s analytics see the current Big 12 season playing out, visit our College FPM table to see every team’s percentage chance of making the Big 12 Championship Game. If you want to test out different scenarios of your own, then be sure to check out the PFSN College Football Playoff Predictor.
Big 12 Two-Team Tiebreakers
If two teams are tied for first place in the standings, they will both participate in the Championship Game. However, the tiebreaking procedure outlined below will be used to determine which team is considered the home team and which is considered the road team. In the event of a tie for second place in the standings, the following process will be followed to decide who will play in the Big 12 Championship Game.
1) The winner of any head-to-head matchup between the two teams (if applicable).
2) Win percentage against common opponents within the conference.
3) Win percentage against common opponents based on the order of finish. This tiebreaker examines each opponent individually, progressing from top to bottom in the table. If a group of common opponents is tied, then the record against the entire group is considered rather than splitting them individually.
4) The combined record of all conference opponents for each team. If, for any reason, one team has played fewer than nine conference games, the winning percentage will be used as opposed to the record.
5) The total number of wins in the full 12-game season (including all non-conference games). Only one win against FCS opponents will be considered, and any games exempt from counting against the annual maximum number of games by NCAA rules will not be included.
6) The highest ranking by SportsSource Analytics’ Team Rating Score following the regular season.
7) Coin toss.
Big 12 Three (or More) Team Tiebreakers
If, after any step in the following procedure, one or two teams are either superior or inferior to the others, they are removed from the tiebreaking procedure, and the remaining teams either go to the two-team tiebreaker or return to the start of the three-team tiebreaking procedure.
1) If all teams played each other, then the records for those teams in those games would be compared.
2) If all the teams did not play each other, but one team either defeated or was defeated by ALL the other teams, they shall be removed from the tiebreaking procedure.
3) Winning percentage of all teams against common conference opponents among all the teams involved in the tie.
4) The combined record of all conference opponents for each team. If, for any reason, one team has played fewer than nine conference games, the winning percentage will be used as opposed to the record.
5) The total number of wins in the full 12-game season (including all non-conference games). Only one win against FCS opponents will be considered, and any games exempt from counting against the annual maximum number of games by NCAA rules will not be included.
6) Each team’s ranking by SportsSource Analytics’ Team Rating Score following the regular season.
7) Coin toss.
If multiple teams are tied for top spot in the Big 12 standings, and two teams emerge as superior after any step, those two teams shall contest the Big 12 Championship Game. A two-team tiebreaker will be applied to determine the home and road designation.
How the Big 12 Tiebreakers Worked in Practice
The 2024 season provided us with an opportunity to see these tiebreakers in action immediately. Arizona State, BYU, Colorado, and Iowa State finished tied at the top of the standings with a 7-2 conference record. This meant the multiple-team tiebreaker was required.
1) All four teams had not played each other.
2) No team had defeated or lost to the other three.
3) Four common opponents were identified: Kansas, Kansas State, UCF, and Utah. Arizona State was 4-0, Iowa State and BYU were 3-1, and Colorado was 2-2.
This resulted in Arizona State receiving the #1 seed and serving as the “home” team for the Big 12 Championship Game.
The remaining three teams were reset in the multiple-team tiebreaker:
1) All three teams had not played each other.
2) No team had defeated or lost to the other two.
3) Five common opponents were identified: Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State, UCF, and Utah. Iowa State and BYU were 4-1, and Colorado was 3-2, eliminating Colorado from consideration.
BYU and Iowa State entered a two-team tiebreaker
1) They had not faced each other
2) They had the same record against common opponents.
3) They had the same results against every common opponent.
4) Iowa State’s opponents had a combined record of 36-45 within the conference, while BYU’s opponents had a combined record of 31-50.
Therefore, Iowa State advanced to the Big 12 Championship Game to face Arizona State.
