Big 12 football schedule rankings: A look at 5 teams with the hardest CFP pathway

The 2024 college football season is just a month away and fan bases are hoping their team will make the playoffs. The playoff fields have expanded, but based on the team's schedules, making it until there can be easier said than done.

In the Big 12, there are plenty of schools that have a tough schedule which will hinder their pathway to the college football playoff.

5 Big 12 teams with the hardest CFP pathway

#1. Arizona State

Arizona State has the toughest schedule in the Big 12 and their pathway to the college football playoff is practically zero.

The Sun Devils don't have the best roster, which will hinder their success in 2024. Their schedule includes games against Mississippi State, at Texas Tech, Kansas, Utah, at Cincinnati, at Oklahoma State, at Kansas State, and Arizona.

#2. Colorado

The Colorado Buffaloes have a rather hard schedule in their return to the Big 12, as the Buffaloes were part of college football realignment leaving the Pac-12 for the Big 12.

The Buffaloes have a tough schedule which includes road games against Nebraska, Arizona, Kansas, and Texas Tech, while also hosting Utah, Kansas State and Oklahoma State.

Colorado is given +1400 odds to make the playoffs according to DraftKings, which implies a 6.7% chance.

#3. Baylor

Baylor goes on the road to play Utah (Image Credit: Imagn)

The Baylor Bears roster's strength alone should struggle to make the college football playoff, but their schedule makes it that much more difficult.

Baylor has road games against Utah, Colorado, Iowa State, Texas Tech and West Virginia, while having tough home games against Kansas, BYU and Oklahoma State.

#4. West Virginia

West Virginia, like Baylor, doesn't have a roster to make the college football playoff. The Mountaineers will be competing for a bowl game, but their schedule makes it that much harder.

West Virginia has road games against Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State and Arizona, while also having games against Penn State, Texas Tech, Kansas, Iowa State and Kansas State.

#5. BYU

BYU will have a hard time winning games in 2024 due to its schedule.

The Cougars will be on the road to play Utah, SMU, Baylor, UCF and Arizona State, while they will host Kansas, Kansas State, Houston and Oklahoma State.

The Cougars' path to making the playoffs is likely impossible.