BYU and Texas Tech are leading the Big 12’s charge for multiple berths in the College Football Playoff for the first time.

A league that hasn’t won a national championship in two decades and scraps for a piece of the spotlight that shines brighter on the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference is basking in the possibility.

“I really hope that the Big 12 gets the respect that I think this conference deserves,” Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said.

There’s other business to take care of first.

No. 8 BYU and No. 9 Texas Tech play Saturday in Lubbock, Texas. It’s the first matchup of AP top 10 teams from the league since 2021. ESPN’s “College GameDay” will be there, too.

“Lubbock’s going to be jumping, for sure,” Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton said.

It might not be the only meeting

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