Big 12 Football Week 1: Which Games Should You Watch?

It’s finally here; after eight months of searching the TV for something to fill the hole in our hearts that college football left us with, it’s finally back. Week 0 has ended, and Week 1 is upon us. Every Wednesday this season, I will release my rankings of how “must watch” every game with a Big 12 team.

I’ll also have the “Fort Worth Game of the Week,” which I believe is the best in the FBS, regardless of teams or conference. There will also be a “Dallas Game of the Week,” reserved for the worst game in FBS and you’ll only be watching because you genuinely love the sport.

The criteria for these games will be how good the match-up is, how exciting the game will be from start to finish, and the impact the game will have on the rest of the season.

Ranking the Big 12 Week 1 Games

1. #17 TCU vs. Colorado

Prime Time is in his first game with his new team, and TCU is coming off a national championship appearance. What more could you ask for as far as hype goes when it comes to Week 1? This game sets the tone for both programs' rest of the season. Colorado comes into this game as a three-touchdown underdog, yet many people think this will be a closer game than that. Only time will tell.

2. Houston vs. UTSA

This game comes in second because of the weak Big 12 schedule for Week 1. UTSA is not the “cupcake” game they used to be ten years ago; they are a problem for some teams, and Houston might be no different. The Cougars have the opportunity to get off on the right foot with an offense returning only five starters from last year. This game will most likely come down to the final possession and should be great from start to finish.

3. Texas Tech at Wyoming

Tech has garnered a lot of hype this off-season, and while this may not be a big test for them, it allows us to see how they have improved with an entire off-season of Tyler Shough.

4. West Virginia at Penn State

West Virginia will get tested early against a Penn State team I believe will win the Big 10 this year. This game will be more about Penn State showing off why they will be a College Football Playoff team by the end of the year.

5. BYU vs. Sam Houston State

BYU has their first year in the Big 12 kick-off against a Sam Houston State team that shouldn’t be taken lightly. While BYU has the talent to beat Sam Houston State, the Bearkats have at least eight returning starters on both sides of the ball that should prevent this game from becoming a blowout.

6. #11 Texas vs. Rice

This looks to be the year that Texas is finally “back." While this game is nothing more than a tune-up game for their test against Alabama next week, it will give us our first look at how the offense looks without Bijan Robinson in the mix.

7. Baylor vs. Texas State

How does Dave Aranda and the team respond to a 6-7 season after winning the Big 12 the year prior? This will be a good look into how physical this team will be after a down year.

8. #20 Oklahoma vs. Arkansas State

Similar to Baylor, how does OU respond to a more than disappointing season? This is OU's last Big 12 opener, so they need to make it count.

9. UCF vs. Kent State

The first Big 12 team to play this year, they begin the season Thursday against a Kent State team that should be handled with no problem. Gus Malzhan and John Rhys Plumlee should make this a game worth watching, but other than that, it isn’t a world-beater.

10. #16 Kansas State vs. SE Missouri State

Kansas State gets the season started with a tune-up game. No one will be watching this game unless they are a fan of either team.

11. Iowa State vs. Northern Iowa

After off-the-field gambling issues hit Iowa State, this game became mildly interesting just to see how the program responds after losing their quarterback to the scandal.

12. Oklahoma State vs. Central Arkansas

Oklahoma State will have a new quarterback this year, but other than that, Mike Gundy will have the Pokes ready to blow out a weaker opponent.

13. Kansas vs. Missouri State

Kansas brings back a volatile offense with ten starters that should have this game over after the first quarter. It is worth noting that Jaylon Daniels will be starting after he set college football on fire at the beginning of last year.

14. Cincinnati vs. Eastern Kentucky

No one will be watching this game unless they are a fan of either team, and even then, they might watch one of the other Week 1 matchups instead. I would.

"Fort Worth" Game of the Week

We know that Fort Worth is better than Dallas. So, each week, I will give you the best FBS game of the week, aka the Fort Worth Game of the Week: This is must-see TV.

#8 Florida State vs. #5 LSU

Sunday, 6:30 p.m. CT, ABC

"Dallas" Game of the Week

If the "Fort Worth" Game is the best game in FBS, then the "Dallas" Game is obviously the worst game of the week. Don't even bother watching this one.

Western Michigan vs. St. Francis (PA)

Thursday, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN+

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Visit Buffs Beat, Colorado's FanNation site, to see what they are saying about the upcoming game with TCU.