Big 12 Football: 5 most important non-conference games in 2017

Big 12 football is still trying to find its footing atop the Power Five pedestal. Non-conference play should give a glimpse of where they stand going forward.

The Big 12 Conference had just 14 players picked in the 2017 NFL Draft. That’s one player less than the American Conference, who had 15 players drafted. The other four conferences out of the Power 5 all had 35 players or more drafted.

Recruiting continues to be an issue but with new head coaching hires Matt Rhule (Baylor) and Tom Herman (Texas), the landscape is sure to change.

The non-conference schedule for the Big 12 in 2017 is an intriguing one. They could play close games or get blown out by the other respective Power 5 conferences.

The Oklahoma Sooners return as the top team in the conference. They’ll need to have a better showing in their game against the Ohio State Buckeyes if they hope to return to the College Football Playoff.

The West Virginia Mountaineers open their season against the always gritty Virginia Tech Hokies at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. An early win over a former rival in the ACC could boost the Mountaineers profile next season.

Tom Herman’s debut with the Texas Longhorns comes with a road trip to face the USC Trojans. Historically speaking, the Longhorns are 1-4 against the Trojans.

However, their lone victory came in the BCS National Championship Game in 2006 when quarterback Vince Young led the team to a 41-38 Rose Bowl victory.

The 2017 season will certainly show where the Big 12 stands in terms of conference supremacy by the end of it all. Here’s a look at their five most important non-conference games this fall.