— BYU (11-1, 7-1 Big 12) has clinched a spot in the Big 12 Championship and will meet No. 5 Texas Tech (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. MST (ABC). The Cougars’ berth was confirmed after Arizona defeated Arizona State 23-7 in the Territorial Cup, a result that eliminated ASU (8-4, 6-3 Big 12) and left BYU ahead of Utah (10-2, 7-2 Big 12) on head-to-head tiebreakers. BYU will still play its home finale against UCF (5-6, 2-6 Big 12) on Saturday at 11 a.m. MST (ESPN2), a game with bowl-eligibility stakes for the Knights and senior-day significance for the Cougars. This marks BYU’s first appearance in a conference championship game in 27 years and completes the league’s title-game matchup for the 2024 regular season.
Key Takeaways
- BYU clinched a Big 12 title-game berth after Arizona’s 23-7 win over Arizona State, securing a matchup with No. 5 Texas Tech on Dec. 6 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
- BYU’s season record stands at 11-1 overall and 7-1 in Big 12 play; Texas Tech is 10-1 and 7-1 in conference action.
- Arizona State’s loss (23-7) eliminated the Sun Devils from title contention and allowed Texas Tech to clinch its spot as well.
- BYU holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Utah; even a BYU loss to UCF would not drop the Cougars below Utah in the league tiebreaking scenario described by conference standings.
- UCF (5-6) must win at Provo to become bowl eligible; the Knights rank among the Big 12’s stronger run-stopping and pass-rush teams, with players like Malachi Lawrence and Jayden Bellamy leading key defensive categories.
- Conference commissioner Brett Yormark publicly argued that Texas Tech is a likely College Football Playoff entrant and urged consideration for BYU and Utah in CFP conversations.
- BYU coaches emphasize internal focus: beat UCF to advance and then prepare for a Texas Tech team widely regarded as its conference’s top contender.
Background
BYU is in its third season as a Big 12 member after joining the conference in 2023. The Cougars entered the weekend tied with Utah in conference record but held the head-to-head advantage after earlier-season results, a factor that determined title-game qualification once Arizona State lost to Arizona. The Big 12’s tiebreaker procedures place head-to-head outcomes high in the order of resolution, and BYU’s earlier result vs. Utah ensures the Cougars cannot be passed by the Utes in the specific multi-team scenarios that remained possible before Friday night’s game.
Texas Tech has been the league’s most consistently ranked team this season, with a 10-1 record and a 7-1 conference ledger. The Red Raiders’ performance has drawn national attention and, as noted by the conference commissioner, CFP discussion. For BYU, the conference title game is not only a program milestone—its first since the 1997 era of conference championship formats—but also an opportunity to reinforce the Cougars’ resume against a top-5 opponent on neutral ground.
Main Event
Arizona’s 23-7 Territorial Cup victory over Arizona State on Friday night removed ASU from the title picture and completed the Big 12 championship pairing. That result meant BYU did not need to wait for Saturday’s home kickoff against UCF to know its opponent in Arlington. The Cougars will travel to AT&T Stadium to face Texas Tech, with the game set for 10 a.m. MST on ABC.
Despite the clinch, BYU players and coaches stressed the importance of finishing the regular season strongly in front of the LaVell Edwards Stadium crowd. UCF, coached by Scott Frost in his second stint in Orlando, arrives needing a win to reach bowl eligibility. That urgency creates a competitive atmosphere for BYU’s senior day regardless of the title-game berth.
On the field, the matchup that looms in Arlington pits BYU’s balanced attack and disciplined defense against a Texas Tech team that has been productive across offense and defense this season. BYU staff highlighted the need for attention to detail in a game that serves as a dress rehearsal for postseason preparation: blitz pickup, situational kicking, and special-teams alignment matter against a high-caliber opponent.
Analysis & Implications
For BYU, the immediate objective is straightforward: win the UCF game to preserve momentum and provide a clean lead-up to the Dec. 6 title contest. A victory in Arlington would secure a conference championship in the program’s third Big 12 season and significantly enhance BYU’s national profile. Even without a College Football Playoff berth, a conference title has material consequences for recruiting, media visibility, and the program’s trajectory under head coach Kalani Sitake.
Texas Tech enters the championship game widely regarded as the stronger CFP candidate; Commissioner Brett Yormark called the Red Raiders a “shoo-in” for the playoff bracket. That external assessment raises the stakes for BYU: beating a top-5 opponent on a neutral field would strengthen the Cougars’ résumé in metrics the CFP committee considers, including strength of record and quality wins.
At the conference level, this title pairing underscores Big 12 parity and the impact of tiebreakers late in the season. Arizona State’s Territorial Cup loss not only removed ASU from contention but also demonstrated how a single rivalry game can reshape championship matchups and postseason paths. For UCF, a win would extend the season and offer momentum; a loss ends the Knights’ year and caps Scott Frost’s first campaign back in Orlando.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Overall | Big 12 | AP Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYU | 11-1 | 7-1 | No. 11 |
| Texas Tech | 10-1 | 7-1 | No. 5 |
| Utah | 10-2 | 7-2 | No. 13 |
| Arizona State | 8-4 | 6-3 | Unranked |
The table shows BYU and Texas Tech separated by a single loss apiece in overall and conference play; BYU’s higher AP ranking (No. 11) reflects national polling through the weekend. Utah’s second-place tie in conference standings is resolved by head-to-head results that favor BYU, while Arizona State’s loss removed it from title contention.
Reactions & Quotes
The clinch prompted comments from conference leadership and BYU staff, reflecting both external validation and internal focus.
“I think they’ve been under-appreciated all season long,”
Brett Yormark, Big 12 commissioner (public remarks)
Commissioner Yormark used national broadcast time to emphasize Texas Tech’s strength and to argue BYU and Utah deserve CFP consideration; his comments framed the conference’s performance in national terms.
“They’re playing for bowl eligibility, and we’re playing for a lot, too,”
Kalani Sitake, BYU head coach (postgame remarks)
Sitake stressed the immediate focus on UCF despite the championship berth, highlighting senior-day stakes and the need to maintain preparation standards ahead of the title game.
“You have to win this game, and we respect this team a lot,”
Aaron Roderick, BYU offensive coordinator (comments)
Roderick underscored UCF’s defensive strengths and the necessity of executing in the final regular-season contest to preserve BYU’s path to the conference trophy.
Unconfirmed
- Whether the CFP selection committee will include Texas Tech as a guaranteed bracket team remains undetermined until final rankings are released (committee decision pending).
- Any late-season injury or roster change for BYU, Texas Tech or UCF that could materially alter matchup projections has not been publicly confirmed at the time of this report.
Bottom Line
BYU’s clinch of the Big 12 Championship game is a defining moment for the program in its third conference season and sets up a high-profile showdown with a top-five Texas Tech squad on Dec. 6 at AT&T Stadium. The immediate task for the Cougars remains clear: finish the regular season by handling UCF and then prepare for a neutral-site title game that carries both trophy and national-positioning implications.
For Texas Tech, the title game is a chance to validate its top-five standing and strengthen its CFP credentials; for BYU, a win in Arlington would be a program milestone with ripple effects for recruiting and national perception. Fans should expect an intense, strategically detailed matchup where turnovers, special teams and situational execution will likely determine the outcome.