What Football Conference Is Baylor In? Big 12 Explained

By Sarah Miller · November 13, 2038

Baylor University competes in the Big 12 Conference for football, a Power Five conference in NCAA Division I FBS. The Bears have been members since the conference's founding in 1996 and play their home games at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas.

Overview of Baylor Football's Conference Affiliation

Baylor University is a full member of the Big 12 Conference, one of the premier athletic conferences in college football. As a founding member since 1996, Baylor has competed consistently within this Power Five league, which is part of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The conference is known for its competitive strength, national exposure, and access to major bowl games and the College Football Playoff.

Key Facts About the Big 12 Conference

Founded in 1996 through the merger of the Big Eight and four schools from the Southwest Conference.
Current membership includes 16 schools as of 2024 after expansion.
Power Five status ensures high-level competition and significant media revenue.
Football champion is determined by a conference championship game between top two teams.
Strong television partnerships with ESPN and FOX drive national visibility.

Baylor's History in the Big 12 Conference

As one of the original charter members of the Big 12, Baylor has played a continuous role in shaping the conference’s football identity. Though historically overshadowed by rivals like Oklahoma and Texas, the Bears rose to prominence under coaches Art Briles and Matt Rhule, achieving a peak ranking of No. 1 in the AP Poll during the 2014 season.

Milestones in Baylor Football History

First Big 12 Championship Game appearance: 2019 (lost to Oklahoma).
Consensus national championship in 1950 (pre-Big 12 era).
Won or shared the Big 12 title in 2013 and 2014 (co-champions via tiebreakers).
Produced Heisman Trophy finalist Robert Griffin III in 2011.
Regular appearances in New Year’s Six bowl games, including the Sugar Bowl and Cotton Bowl.

Season	Conference Record	Overall Record	Final AP Rank	Postseason
2021	8–1	12–2	#7	Sugar Bowl (W)
2019	8–1	11–3	#11	Cotton Bowl (W)
2014	8–1	11–2	#7	Cotton Bowl (W)
2013	8–1	11–2	#10	Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (W)
2012	4–5	7–6	-	Affordable Home Loans Stadium Shamrock Bowl (W)

Table data source:1, 2

The table highlights Baylor's most successful seasons in the Big 12 era, particularly the dominant stretch from 2013 to 2021. Notably, three of these seasons featured an 8–1 conference record, demonstrating consistent elite performance within the league. The 2021 team achieved the highest national recognition by winning the Sugar Bowl and finishing ranked #7 in the final AP Poll.

Current Landscape of the Big 12 Conference

Following the 2023 realignment, the Big 12 expanded to 16 teams, adding BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF in 2023, followed by Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah in 2024. Despite not having a divisional format, the top two teams by conference winning percentage meet in the Big 12 Championship Game.

Big 12 Members as of 2025

Baylor
TCU
Texas Tech
Oklahoma State
Iowa State
Kansas State
Kansas
West Virginia
BYU
Cincinnati
Houston
UCF
Arizona
Arizona State
Colorado
Utah

Frequently Asked Questions About Baylor Football and the Big 12

What conference does Baylor football play in?

Baylor football competes in the Big 12 Conference, a Power Five league in NCAA Division I FBS. The university has been a member since the conference's inception in 1996.

Has Baylor ever won a Big 12 football championship?

While Baylor has not won the Big 12 Championship Game outright, they were co-champions of the regular season in 2013 and 2014 alongside Oklahoma and TCU. They reached the Big 12 Championship Game in 2019 but lost to Oklahoma.

When did Baylor join the Big 12 Conference?

Baylor became a founding member of the Big 12 Conference in 1996, following the merger of the Big Eight and four schools from the Southwest Conference, including Baylor, Texas, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M.

Who are Baylor's main rivals in the Big 12?

Baylor's primary rivals include Texas and TCU, with the latter known as the "Bluebonnet Battle." The rivalry with Texas Tech is also notable, though less intense. Games against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are key conference matchups.

Where does Baylor play its home football games?

Baylor plays home games at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas, located on the banks of the Brazos River. Opened in 2014, the stadium has a capacity of approximately 45,000 and replaced Floyd Casey Stadium.