The Big 12 is wide open, like a receiver down the field with absolutely no one near him, kind of wide open. With UCF projected to finish last in the conference, a lot of people counted them out, but with the top teams like Arizona State, Colorado, and Kansas State all falling from grace, it opened the door for other teams. However, this doesn't look good for the conference, as the Big 12 is starting to look like the one everyone thinks is soft.
Unfortunately, with thoughts like that, Big 12 teams aren't getting any love from the big networks for prime time slots. UCF plays its season opener against Kansas State in Week 5, and while this one could have looked like a big showdown, they are slotted for the Noon time on FS1.
Kansas State is 1-3 on the season, which no one predicted, and UCF is 2-0, hoping to make it 3-0 with a win over UNC this upcoming weekend, again something no one expected. If both of these teams had come in undefeated, maybe a better time would have been given, but instead, they face the consequences of the Big 12 just not looking as strong anymore.
🚨 Big 12 Opener Game Time 🚨 pic.twitter.com/xGT1QJMigI
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) September 15, 2025
UCF and Kansas State set to face off for just the third time ever
UCF and Kansas State are not opponents that are very familiar with each other. The first time these two teams faced off was back in 2010 in what was just a one-off non-conference game. Kansas State took that victory 17-13 over the Knights.
The Knights and Wildcats more recently faced off back in 2023, UCF's first season in the Big 12. This was quite the game, and it certainly was closer than the score made it look. The Wildcats held off the Knights 44-31, handing UCF its first loss ever in the conference, but it certainly gained some respect from the Wildcats.
Now these teams will meet for just the third time ever, and yet again it will be in Manhattan, Kansas, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium; however, the tables are looking to be turned. UCF is coming in as the better team while the Wildcats are reeling from a rough start to the season.
Yes, Kansas State will be coming off a bye and fully rested, but if UCF can get a win over UNC in Week 4, they just might have the right momentum to go into Manhattan and leave with a win.