Big 12 Football 2011: 10 Biggest Matchups of the Season

The 2011 college football season is here, and the Big 12 has some great match ups scheduled.

Even though it may not really be the Big "12" for much longer, this season still looks to be an exciting one.

In this slideshow, I'll give you the top-10 best games you can look forward to this season in the Big 12.

Drumroll please...

Texas at Baylor, Sat. Dec. 3

Baylor beat Texas last season in Austin for the first time in years. This year, they'll cap off their season facing the Longhorns in Waco.

After looking very solid last week beating a ranked TCU team, Baylor should have Texas worried about this match up.

It remains to be seen just how good either of these teams will really be this season, but the match up of a smaller, up-and-coming program against the older, somewhat-fallen giant will definitely be interesting.

Baylor at Texas A&M, Sat. Oct. 15

In another big match up in the state of Texas, Baylor will have a tough test playing at Texas A&M.

If Baylor can pass this test, they will be a dark horse for a Big 12 championship.

A&M will definitely be favored in this one, but Baylor QB Robert Griffin is a playmaker. Playmakers make upsets happen.

Oklahoma State at Missouri, Sat. Oct. 22

Much like in any conference, there are tiers of teams in the Big 12.

Oklahoma and Texas are at the top. Then come Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Missouri.

Oklahoma State and Missouri may normally play second fiddle, but each has an opportunity to make some noise in the conference.

New Mizzou QB Josh Franklin looked shaky in Week 1, but by the time this game rolls around he should be better settled into the job.

This has the potential to be a high-scoring game.

Kansas State at Texas, Sat. Nov. 19

You may be asking why this is a big matchup. Kansas State is unranked, and Texas began the season that way.

But it is still Texas.

Oh, and Kansas State has beaten the Longhorns twice in a row.

Neither of these teams is up, but the Wildcats beat Texas when they were down and Texas was up.

Can they do it again?

Oklahoma State at Texas, Sat. Oct. 15

Last season, Oklahoma State defeated Texas for the first time in over a decade. In fact, at one point in the game they led 33-3.

Not something Texas is used to.

If Texas is better this year, it will be tough for the Cowboys to repeat their win in Austin.

Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon torched Texas' defense last year. If they can't stop him this time, they'll lose again.

Texas at Texas A&M, Thu. Nov. 24

This rivalry will be especially heated this year, considering the current situation in the Big 12.

The arrogance of the University of Texas was one of the biggest forces that drove Texas A&M to look for avenues out of the Big 12.

A&M will be looking to get in one last good shot against Texas, while the Longhorns will want to give the Aggies a parting shot.

A&M is the touted team this year, but this rivalry is anything but predictable.

Texas A&M at Oklahoma, Sat. Nov. 5

The Aggies came out on top in this matchup last season, besting the Sooners 33-19 at home.

This season, the two teams play in Norman. That's probably the end of the conversation.

Both teams will probably be highly ranked and two of the favorites to win the Big 12.

But Bob Stoops doesn't lose in Norman, and this will be no exception.

Oklahoma State at Texas A&M, Sat. Sept. 24

This game will be a huge matchup and will determine which team has the best chance to steal a Big 12 title from Oklahoma.

Texas A&M will have to contend with the tandem of QB Brandon Weeden and WR Justin Blackmon, while Oklahoma State will have to try and stop QB Ryan Tannehill and WR Jeff Fuller.

Those are two of the best QB-WR tandems in the country.

The edge goes to Texas A&M because it's in College Station, but it'll be a good one.

Red River Rivalry, Sat. Oct. 8

In most years, this game would be the most important. It isn't quite up there this season since Texas is somewhat down, but it's still huge.

The rankings mean nothing in this rivalry, and Texas will want to ruin Oklahoma's championship dreams no matter their record.

Texas' defense must stop Oklahoma QB Landry Jones. Texas QB Garrett Gilbert must play well.

Oklahoma will probably win.

Oklahoma at Oklahoma State, Sat. Dec. 3

Last season, the Big 12 South title rode on this game. This year's match up has a good chance to have the whole conference riding on it.

Oklahoma State is a legitimate top-10 team, and they get Oklahoma at home.

However, Oklahoma has beaten the Cowboys every year since 2002.

Oklahoma will be more talented, but Oklahoma State is good enough to win.

No matter what, it'll be bedlam.