All college football games count the same, but some have an impact that extends far beyond the season. We saw Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher embrace that philosophy in 2021 where the team sauntered through half the season with its entire focus on beating Alabama.
Despite an 8-4 season, A&M’s win over the Crimson Tide helped Fisher and company to the No. 1 recruiting class for 2022. Other teams have certain games on their mind for different reasons.
Rivalry games can swing perception for some programs. High profile wins can aid team confidence as much as they lead to big recruiting classes. For others, stealing a win in the team’s most difficult game can increase the chances of a double-digit win season.
Let’s look at the game each Big 12 team should have circled for the 2023 season.