2012 Big 12 Football Schedule: Week-by-Week Breakdown of Best and Worst Games

We now know who will play who and when, as the Big 12 schedule has just been released.

It's going to be another great year of college football once these brutal seven months finally pass. The season really can't get here soon enough, even though college football has just ended. At this point, all we can do is break down the games of the week to prepare us for all of the contests that include Big 12 teams.

We may still be months away from the new college football season, but here are each of the best and worst games of the week in the Big 12.

Week 1

Best: Northwestern at Texas Tech

Texas Tech has the opportunity to really surprise some people this year, as they have a few pieces in place to be a solid team. Northwestern is a team under Pat Fitzgerald that is beginning to come around; it just needs to take that next step.

Worst: South Dakota at Kansas

Kansas is moving in the right direction with the hire of head coach Charlie Weis, but a game against South Dakota is ugly as it gets.

Week 2

Best: Miami at Kansas State

The surprising Kansas State Wildcats against the always fun-to-watch Miami Hurricanes. This was a game that went down to the wire last year; we can only hope for the same this season.

Worst: Grambling State vs. TCU

TCU is one of the better teams in this conference. A game against Grambling State will be a cakewalk for them and a game most people won't watch.

Week 3

Best: TCU at Kansas

This game will feature the new team in the Big 12, which of course is TCU against a team in Kansas that has a lot of potential. I will pick the Horned Frogs in this game, but wouldn't be surprised if the Jayhawks pull off the upset at home.

Worst: Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns at Oklahoma State

A Cowboy team that lost their entire star power against the Ragin' Cajuns? Seriously?

Week 4

Best: Kansas State at Oklahoma

Quarterback Landry Jones returned to lead his team to a BCS National Championship; this could end up being a trap game for the Sooners. This would also be a great test for the Wildcats to prove that last year wasn't a fluke.

Worst: Baylor at ULM

Baylor may have lost their Superman quarterback, but Louisiana-Monroe still stands no chance against the Bears.

Week 5

Best: Texas at Oklahoma State

Week 5 doesn't feature some of the greatest matchups in the Big 12, but the Longhorns taking a tip to Oklahoma State isn't bad television. Two great coaches going at it, and there could be some BCS implications going on as well.

Worst: Texas Tech at Iowa State

Sure, Iowa State pulled one of the biggest upsets off last year, but that doesn't mean they'll be any good. It also doesn't mean they'll be able to hang with the Red Raiders high-flying offense.

Week 6

Best: West Virginia at Texas

West Virginia finally has to prove themselves to the college football world and take on a national powerhouse at their place. This will be a very interesting game for both teams and should come down to the wire.

Worst: Kansas at Kansas State

This game will either go two ways. Low-scoring game that the Wildcats end up winning or a blowout game that the Wildcats end up winning. Either way, it equals ugliness.

Week 7

Best: Oklahoma vs. Texas

It's the Red River Rivalry; do I really need to say more?

Worst: Kansas State at Iowa State

I don't mean to be picking on the Kansas teams; it's just that this matchup doesn't have many reasons to watch this game.

Week 8

Best: Texas Tech at TCU

Texas Tech could be a possible sleeper in this conference, and traveling to TCU will tell us a lot about the Red Raiders. Quarterback Seth Doege is an absolute beast that threw over 4,000 yards last season.

Worst: Kansas at Oklahoma

Again, I'm not picking on the Kansas teams. But seriously, is there anyone that thinks this game will be decided by less than four touchdowns?

Week 9

Best: Notre Dame at Oklahoma

Two powerhouse programs going at it for the first time since 1999. Oklahoma doesn't play well against the Irish, as they've lost eight of the last nine meetings, but this will still probably be the game of the week in college football.

Worst: Baylor at Iowa State

Neither one of these teams plays defense, so there should be a ton of points scored. But there's a difference between great offense and brutal defense. Regardless of how many points are scored, this game is a major turnoff.

Week 10

Best: TCU at West Virginia

The two new kids on the block battle it out for bragging rights. It makes the game even better when one prides themselves on offense and the other team is a hard-hitting defensive team. This should be an outstanding game.

Worst: Oklahoma at Iowa State

Much like the game against Kansas, does anyone really believe that the Cyclones will be able to hang with the Sooners?

Week 11

Best: Baylor at Oklahoma

Baylor really shocked the college football world as they beat the Sooners last season for the first time in school history. The Bears have a completely different team this time around, but doing it again could really do wonders for this program moving forward.

Worst: Kansas at Texas Tech

Not too sure how many people would even consider watching this football game. There's just simply not enough talent to keep most people's interest.

Week 12

Best: Oklahoma at West Virginia

This game could possibly determine who ends up going to a BCS bowl. These are both two extremely talented teams, and this matchup should be circled on every college football fan's calendar.

Worst: Iowa State at Kansas

Any time you have arguably the two worst teams in the conference battle it out, it's not going to draw that much attention.

Week 13

Best: TCU at Texas

This is a great rivalry that will pick up more steam now that the Horned Frogs are a member of the Big 12 conference. It could also have serious BCS implications if both teams are near the top of the rankings like we expect they should be.

Worst: West Virginia at Iowa State

West Virginia is one of the highest scoring teams in the country. Iowa State, on the other hand, is not, which usually equals in a blowout for the team with far less talent.

Week 14

Best: Oklahoma at TCU

The Sooners at this point in the season will probably be fighting for a BCS National Championship spot, and TCU could be competing for a BCS bowl. Two solid teams battling it out for the last week of the season is all we can hope for.

Worst: Kansas at West Virginia

If you've read this whole article, you'll know that there are usually a few teams in the worst category. I just don't see the Jayhawks competing with the Mountaineers this season. Give them a year or two and maybe.

Randy Chambers is a B/R featured columnist that covers college football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail].