2012 Big 12 Football Schedule: The 10 Most Intriguing Conference Matchups

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

While there are several great matchups, none are as intriguing or more important than the games within the conference. These games include rivalries and rematches and will help determine who the top team is in the conference. Of course, there are a few great non-conference games, but none are as intriguing as the games against two members of the Big 12.

Now that we know the schedule, here are the top-10 Big 12 conference games of the year.

10. Oklahoma State vs. Iowa State, Oct. 20

Although both teams may look a little different than they did last year, the emotion still has to be there for each of them. It was the biggest win of the season for Iowa State, and the loss cost Oklahoma State a chance to play in last year's BCS national championship.

We have to watch this game just to see if the Cyclones can do it again.

9. Baylor at Oklahoma, Nov. 10

In 2011, this was the game that really put Robert Griffin III and Baylor on the map as the Bears beat the Sooners for the first time in 20 tries. It was a victory that probably changed this program forever.

Now, the Bears will travel to Oklahoma without Griffin, but they do have a talented quarterback in Nick Florence.

It will be an extremely difficult task for Baylor, but if they're able to squeeze out another upset, it will catch the whole college football nation's attention, again.

8. TCU at Kansas, Sept. 15

Am I the only one who would like to see what Charlie Weis and Dayne Crist are able to accomplish in Kansas? They have experience at Notre Dame, and if they're able to click quickly, it could really turn this Jayhawks program around.

A game in Week 1 of conference play against the Horned Frogs will be a huge early test for Kansas and could tell us what type of season Kansas is in for.

7. Texas at Texas Tech, Nov. 3

The Longhorns have won eight of the last 10 meetings against the Red Raiders. Can this be the year Texas Tech snaps the three-game winning streak?

Hopefully, we get a game as great as the 2008 meeting, and we end up with a fantastic game in this storied rivalry.

6. Baylor vs. TCU, Oct. 13

These two teams have played each other forever, and it's great to finally have them in the same conference once again so they can meet more often. This game is even more intriguing, not just because it's a rivalry, but because I'm sure we're all interested to see how Baylor responds.

The Bears had their most successful season last year, but now that they have lost Robert Griffin, they'll have to find success somewhere else in order to win games.

5. Kansas State at Oklahoma, Sept. 22

With the way the Kansas State Wildcats performed last season, it's almost impossible not to have this team on your radar. Who in the world expected them to win 10 games last season?

And now the question is, can they do it again?

An early game against the Sooners will tell us a lot. And I know one thing. If they're able to do it again, head coach Bill Snyder had better win the coach of the year award.

4. Texas vs. West Virginia, Oct. 6

This game matches up two teams for whom we have great expectations. Texas is extremely talented, and it would be nice if they actually live up to their expectations. West Virginia showed us bright spots during their years in the Big East, so it's time they begin to take that next step as well.

This game may show us who's for real and who's a pretender.

3. TCU at West Virginia, Nov. 3

This is a very intriguing matchup, considering it features the two newest teams in the conference. Both teams were really the best out of their old conferences, and now it's going to be interesting to see which is able to hold their own in the Big 12.

Do you take the defensive-minded team in TCU or the offensive firepower in West Virginia? Should be a good one.

2. Oklahoma at West Virginia, Nov. 17

We know what the Sooners are capable of, and now it's time to see if West Virginia can handle the big boys of the Big 12. They were able to destroy Clemson in the BCS Orange Bowl, but can they play with that same intensity throughout an entire season?

This is no longer the Big East; it's time for the Mountaineers to show and prove.

1. Texas vs. Oklahoma, Oct. 13

How can the Red River Rivalry not be the biggest matchup of the Big 12 conference? These are the two biggest programs in the conference, and the game will probably hold some type of BCS bowl implications.

It also features two coaches who may be on the hot seat in Bob Stoops and Mack Brown. If they don't get things on the right track, those seats will begin to heat up.

Overall, this is a fantastic matchup and should be the game circled on everyone's calendar.

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