The Big 12 Conference has never had two teams in the College Football Playoff in the same season.
That could change this season.
BYU (6-0), Texas Tech (6-0) and Utah (6-0) are all currently ranked in the Top 10 of the US LBM Coaches Poll, putting the Big 12 in position to land two — or dare we say — three teams in the College Football Playoff at the end of this season.
And don't forget about Houston (6-1) and Arizona (5-1), who are still very much in the thick of the Big 12 Conference race.
Here's a look at how each of the Big 12 conference championship contenders could make the College Football Playoff this season.
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How BYU could make College Football Playoff
The Cougars are sitting pretty at 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big 12, ranked No. 3 in the US LBM Poll.
It's simple for BYU. The Cougars would be in the CFP if they went 12-0 in the regular season and won the Big 12 Conference championship game.
But they would also likely get in if they went 12-0 and lost the Big 12 title game.
BYU's toughest regular season test remaining is at Utah. If BYU went 11-1 in the regular season, with just a loss at Utah, we could see Kalani Sitake's team getting in, even if they don't play in the conference title game.
BYU doesn't want to go 11-1 in the regular season and lose in the Big 12 title game to end up 12-2. It missed the College Football Playoff last season in that scenario.
How Texas Tech could make College Football Playoff
Texas Tech, also undefeated in conference play and overall, is currently No. 5 in the US LBM Poll.
The Red Raiders would get in the CFP with the Big 12's automatic berth for winning the conference title game, but the Red Raiders would also likely make the field with a 12-1 overall record, provided the loss was in the Big 12 championship game.
Another way Texas Tech could make the field? With one regular-season loss if it doesn't make the Big 12 title game. Games against Arizona and Oklahoma State are the biggest remaining challenges for Texas Tech on paper.
The Red Raiders don't want to pick up a second loss in the Big 12 title game because you just don't know what the CFP committee will do in that scenario. History seems to indicate that Texas Tech might be in trouble in that situation.
How Utah could make College Football Playoff
The undefeated Utes would get in the College Football Playoff by running the table this season, but they would most likely make the CFP if their only loss was in the Big 12 title game.
There's also a chance Utah would get in with just one loss in the regular season if it didn't make the Big 12 Championship Game, but we don't see an avenue for the Utes to make it with more than one loss.
Utah still has Houston, BYU and Arizona on the schedule, so it's got a tough remaining path to the CFP.
How Houston could make College Football Playoff
The Cougars (No. 16 in US LBM Poll) have one loss this season, a 28-26 setback at Texas Tech. They probably can't afford another loss. The easiest path? Just win the Big 12 title.
But Houston could potentially sneak in the CFP if it finished the season with just one loss and doesn't make the Big 12 title game.
It would be hard to keep an 11-1 team out of the College Football Playoff that has wins over Oklahoma State and Utah. But you never know what could happen in the committee's deliberations.
How Arizona could make College Football Playoff
Arizona's lone loss came in Week 2 against BYU in Provo, Utah. No shame in that.
The Wildcats likely need to win out to make the CFP, which would be difficult with games at Texas Tech and against Utah remaining.
An 11-1 Arizona team missing out on the Big 12 title game might have a shot at the CFP. We don't see a way the Wildcats make the College Football Playoff with two losses.
It's amazing how disrespected this team is. It isn't ranked in the US LBM Poll at 5-1.
Dream scenario for Big 12 in College Football Playoff
Big 12 Conference fans would likely take any scenario where their conference lands two teams in the College Football Playoff, but why stop there?
How about three teams in the CFP from the Big 12 this season?
The easiest way this could happen?
Utah and Texas Tech go undefeated in the regular season and have a close game in the Big 12 Championship Game, while BYU goes 11-1 with a close loss to Utah in their regular season contest.
In that scenario, it would be difficult for the committee to not put all three teams in the Big 12 title game.
While three CFP teams might seem like a pipe dream, it is possible this season for the Big 12 as we enter Week 8. And two teams seems plausible, with some combination of BYU, Texas Tech, Utah, Arizona and Houston capable of earning two bids into the College Football Playoff for the first time for the conference.
Buckle up. The Big 12 Conference race and Big 12 College Football Playoff race could be a thrilling ride.
How many teams will the Big 12 get into the College Football Playoff this season?
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How Big 12 could get multiple teams in College Football Playoff
