What to Watch For When BYU Releases its 2023 Schedule
The Big 12 is set to announce its 2023 on Tuesday at noon mountain time. Here are seven things to watch for when BYU's first schedule as a Big 12 member is released.
1. First Big 12 Home Game
BYU fans have waited decades to be part of a conference like the Big 12. All games in Lavell Edwards Stadium are special, but the first conference game in the Big 12 will come with an extra dose of magic. Watch for the first Big 12 home game, because that game will go down in BYU history regardless of the outcome.
2. BYU at TCU in October?
TCU accidentally released its 2023 schedule on Tuesday night. The leaked schedule, which appeared on the official TCU website, included a mid October trip to Fort Worth for a road game against the Horned Frogs. If the leaked schedule was accurate (hint: it was), BYU and TCU will renew their old Mountain West rivalry in 2023.
3. Home and Away Split
BYU's Big 12 conference schedule will consist of nine conference games. We don't know whether BYU will host four or five conference home games in 2023. The Cougars are already set to host two home non-conference games, so if six home games is the goal, BYU will have five Big 12 road games in 2023.
4. The Bye Week
The bye week will be important for BYU in 2023. For the first time in program history, BYU will play 10 consecutive games against Power Five teams. BYU's depth is going to be tested during that stretch, so a well-placed bye week would go a long ways in helping BYU reach a bowl game. We know that the bye week will be during conference play at some point.
5. Keep an Eye on Texas and Oklahoma
Texas and Oklahoma will be in the Big 12 in 2023. Contractually, they are supposed to be in the Big 12 in 2024 as well, but they are in discussions with the Big 12 about leaving the conference a year early. This might be the only season that BYU is in the same conference as Texas and Oklahoma. Therefore, all eyes will be on Texas and Oklahoma when the Big 12 schedule comes out.
6. The Newbies
Will BYU face one of the other three newcomers in 2023?
7. Will the Big 12 Reveal long-term scheduling partners?
In some form, the Big 12 is going to create annual scheduling partners. Will those plans be revealed on Tuesday? Or will the conference wait until Texas and Oklahoma are gone? After months of waiting, we will find out at noon.
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