ESPN circles the best 5 games on 2025 Big 12 Football Schedule

The Big 12 is shaping up to be one of the more unpredictable conferences in all of college football once again in 2025. That should lead to some awesome games, and ESPN already has a couple circled.

Ahead of the season to come, ESPN’s Bill Connelly decided to separate the best of the best in the Big 12, choosing the five best games the conference will offer in 2025. It wasn’t an easy task, with a bevy of fascinating matchups to choose from, but the college football analyst found his way.

Evidently, he believes Kansas State is one of the better teams in the conference. The Wildcats were chosen for four of the five games Connelly circled. Who are their opponents, and which other teams made the list? Check it out below to find out.

Iowa State vs. Kansas State in Dublin (Aug. 23)

The Week 0 showdown between Iowa State and Kansas State is already receiving a ton of hype. Not only will it get the full standalone treatment, but it should show us whether the Cyclones or the Wildcats should be taken seriously as contenders in the Big 12 in 2025. A hot start right off the bat in Ireland.

Connelly: “This might be my favorite Week 0 game yet. Not only do we get a Farmageddon matchup in just about the best dairy land in the world, but we also get one of the biggest games of the Big 12 season before Week 1 even rolls around.”

TCU at Kansas State (Oct. 11)

A rematch of one of the wilder Big 12 Championship contests in recent memory, it’s always fun when these two purple teams link up. At this point in the season, TCU and Kansas State should both be humming, leading to a wonderful showdown between two of the conference’s best.

Connelly: “TCU and Baylor both surged in the late stages of 2024, though unlike Arizona State, they each did it when it was too late to make a mark in the conference title race. The Horned Frogs have quite a bit of reason for optimism, but by the time this Week 7 matchup is done, they’ll have played at both Arizona State and K-State. A conference title run might require a win at one or the other.”

Texas Tech at Arizona State (Oct. 18)

The reigning Big 12 champions get in on the action. Connelly believes Texas Tech is entering the season with more buzz than anyone in the conference, but Arizona State is the top dog until someone takes them down. If the Red Raiders want to achieve all of their goals, they’ll have to go through the Sun Devils.

Connelly: “The defending champ against the offseason’s buzziest team. The Red Raiders took down ASU in Lubbock, Texas, last season 30-22, but it was well before the Sun Devils found fifth gear. Which team will be in proper midseason form for this one?”

Texas Tech at Kansas State (Nov. 1)

Manhattan, Kansas, will be the site of another awesome Big 12 game come November. This one could decide which team heads to the Big 12 title game, if all goes according to plan for Texas Tech and Kansas State. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as long as they both reach their full potential.

Connelly: “It appears the schedule makers decreed K-State and Tech to be the most impactful teams in this year’s title race. If they don’t win it themselves, they’ll decide who does.”

Kansas State at Utah (Nov. 22)

If Utah bounces back like many expect, their game against Kansas State on Nov. 22 might be for all the marbles. Connelly thinks Kansas State will be involved in a ton of high-profile games, but this is the Utes first appearance on the list. We’ll see if they can make the most of it, and give us a game worth watching around the Thanksgiving season.

Connelly: “Utah went from title favorite to 2-7 in conference play last season, but a redesigned offense and better injury luck (and the resulting better close-games fortune) could produce a 180-degree turnaround. If so, this one could decide a spot in the title game.”