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The Big 12 Conference’s 5 best rivalries that could emerge in 2023

By John Scimeca

CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 13: Runningback Noel Devine #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers rushes in the second quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats in at Nippert Stadium on November 13, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 13: Runningback Noel Devine #7 of the West Virginia Mountaineers rushes in the second quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats in at Nippert Stadium on November 13, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Dana Holgorsen of the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Dana Holgorsen of the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

4. Oklahoma State – Houston

These two programs seem like they could be at odds with each other the moment that Houston football begins conference play as a Big 12 member this fall.

A significant OSU alumni presence exists in Houston, the two teams are in bordering states, and a good red vs. orange aesthetic on the TV might be notable with the impending departure of OU (and presumably, the end of the 119-year Bedlam rivalry). On top of all that, the Houston metro area is an important recruiting pipeline for head coach Mike Gundy and the Cowboys program.

OSU is in the midst of an up-and-down roller coaster that includes a Fiesta Bowl win and a 12-2 finish in 2021 and a dismal finish to last year, with the team losing six of its last seven games. The transfer portal has seemingly gutted the Cowboys’ two-deep this offseason to add insult to the injuries of 2022.

Houston has made several Top 10 appearances within the last decade (under current Texas boss Tom Herman) and also finished 12-2 two seasons ago. The Cougars hope to make a strong impression in joining the Big 12, their first foray into an FBS  ‘power conference’ league.

These two programs have met 20 times, with Houston owning a 10-9-1 advantage over OSU. The teams’ first meeting was in 1951.

In the most recent meeting in 2009, the Cougars upset the No. 5-ranked Cowboys 45-35 in Stillwater right after OSU had opened the season with a win vs. Georgia.

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