In an ideal world, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark might have signed up for a different bowl game matchup. As every conference not named the SEC or the Big Ten claws for credibility, each non-conference win is a data point this time of year.

Conference foes No. 17 BYU and No. 23 Colorado will square off on Saturday night in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. The Cougars (10-2) and Buffaloes (9-3) once had their sights set on a Big 12 Conference championship game appearance and a berth in the College Football Playoff.

There will be lots of eyeballs on BYU and Colorado when the two teams meet in San Antonio on Dec. 28. That much we know.