What Is 2018 Big 12 Championship Game

Overview

The 2018 Big 12 Championship Game marked a significant return to form for the conference, reinstating its championship game after a seven-year absence due to conference realignment and membership changes. The game featured a high-stakes rematch between longtime rivals: the No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners and the No. 11 Texas Longhorns, both members of the Big 12 Conference.

Played on December 1, 2018, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the game drew national attention and a record-breaking crowd. Oklahoma claimed its fourth consecutive Big 12 title with a 39–31 victory, solidifying its position as a College Football Playoff contender.

• Oklahoma entered the game with an 11–1 record, having lost only to Texas in a close October matchup, making this a redemption opportunity.
• Texas held a 5–0 record in conference play entering the game, but their overall performance against ranked teams raised questions about their playoff viability.
• The game was the first Big 12 Championship since 2010, when Oklahoma defeated Nebraska 23–20 in overtime, before the conference dissolved its title game due to membership drops.
• AT&T Stadium hosted the game with a capacity crowd of 83,963, setting a new FBS conference championship attendance record at the time.
• Quarterback Jalen Hurts accounted for four total touchdowns, two passing and two rushing, earning him Most Valuable Player honors for the game.

How It Works

The Big 12 Championship Game format was reinstated in 2017 after the conference expanded and stabilized its membership. The game pits the top two teams in the final conference standings against each other, regardless of divisional alignment, since the Big 12 does not use divisions.

• Championship Format: The Big 12 uses a single-standings model, where the top two teams by conference record qualify. There are no divisions, unlike other Power Five conferences.
• Eligibility Criteria: Teams must complete all regular-season conference games. Tiebreakers, including head-to-head results, are used if needed to determine participants.
• Game Date: The championship is held the first Saturday in December, immediately following the final week of the regular season.
• Venue Selection: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, has served as the permanent host site since 2017 due to its central location and large capacity.
• Selection Process: The two teams with the best conference winning percentages qualify, with head-to-head results used as the primary tiebreaker.
• Postseason Implications: The winner earns the conference’s automatic bid to a New Year’s Six bowl or, potentially, the College Football Playoff.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of key performance metrics between Oklahoma and Texas in the 2018 Big 12 Championship Game highlights the competitive nature of the matchup.

The Sooners dominated on the ground, out-rushing Texas by over 150 yards, a key factor in controlling the game’s tempo. Despite Texas throwing for slightly more yards, Oklahoma’s balanced attack and fewer turnovers proved decisive.

Why It Matters

The 2018 Big 12 Championship Game had major implications for college football’s postseason landscape and the future of the conference. Its success revitalized interest in the Big 12 as a national power and demonstrated the value of a conference title game in the playoff era.

• Oklahoma secured a spot in the College Football Playoff, finishing the regular season ranked No. 4 and earning a berth in the Orange Bowl semifinal.
• The game proved the Big 12’s competitiveness, showing it could produce high-quality matchups without divisions, influencing other conferences’ structural decisions.
• Television ratings surged, with an average of 8.5 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched conference championship games that year.
• Player development was highlighted, as Jalen Hurts’ performance boosted his Heisman Trophy consideration and NFL draft stock.
• The event boosted local economies, generating an estimated $42 million in economic impact for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
• Attendance records set a precedent, encouraging the Big 12 to maintain the championship game format and seek long-term stadium agreements.

The 2018 Big 12 Championship Game not only crowned a champion but also reestablished the conference’s relevance in the national conversation, setting the stage for future expansion and stability.