Experts across the nation have acknowledged the Big 12 as an elite football conference this season. This week’s slate of games will determine if that talk will continue or diminish.

ESPN.com’s Mark Schlabach is flirting with the idea of naming the Big 12 the toughest conference. USA Today’s Sagarin Ratings also rank the Southeastern Conference barely ahead of the Big 12.

So it’s perfect timing that three teams – Kansas State, Colorado, Baylor - in the conference will be featured on national television this week on a non-traditional football night. Kansas State plays Louisville Wednesday night on ESPN2. Colorado takes on West Virginia Thursday night on ESPN. Baylor rounds out the list with a game against Connecticut on ESPN2 Friday.

Sure, it doesn’t feel right seeing college football in the middle of the week but it’s great for the teams involved because of the national exposure it provides. There are no other games on these days so everyone involved with college football will be tuning in.

Although these three Big 12 teams aren’t considered powerhouses, each has players who could wow the audience. Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman has thrown for 520 yards and five touchdowns in his first two games. He ranks a surprising third nationally in passer efficiency.

Colorado freshman running back Darrell Scott was arguably the most recruited player in the nation last season. After two games, he’s yet to have his breakout performance. Maybe it will come Thursday.

Baylor freshman quarterback Robert Griffin ran for a school-record 217 yards in last weekend’s victory against Washington State. Normal Big 12 quarterbacks aren’t conference champion 400-meter hurdlers, either.

None of these games are easy, however. Baylor and Colorado are underdogs. If Big 12 teams come away with two victories and a standout individual performance, viewers could be dazzled.

But this is more important for the conference than just impressing people. It could make a difference come the end of the year.

Just think back to the end of last season. With one loss and a conference championship, Ohio State was a lock to participate in the National Championship Game. Choosing its opponent, however, was a bit dicier.

Five major conference champions carried two defeats – Oklahoma, Louisiana State, Southern California, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. Who do you choose? Well, the voters and the BCS ultimately decided on LSU, partly because the Southeastern Conference was considered by far the best conference.

No one would be surprised if a similar scenario arose at the end of this year. If the Big 12 is considered the top conference at the end of the year, one of its team could get the nod over a team from a lesser conference.

But the Big 12 needs to beat teams from other major conferences. It needs to do it now. This is a big week for the Big 12.