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I have to say, prior to last weekend, the Big 12 conference schedule has been a bit ho-hum.
A couple of good games, no major upsets (essentially meaning nobody lost to Kansas). Things moving along in a fairly orderly fashion.
Then Texas – Oklahoma showed up to the party so drunk they could barely get in the door.
Literally everybody watching that game:
TCU blows out Texas Tech…Baylor blows out West Virginia…OU has a QB controversy…Texas has the most athletic bad defense ever…
All of this queues up what should be a string of weekends that will either quickly clear up the race for the Big 12 championship game rematch or create even more confusion. Let’s dive in…
Nine of the ten teams are in action this weekend, with West Virginia fans getting a needed break from their agony and a prequel of a future Big 12 conference matchup. All start times are Eastern.
19 BYU at Baylor (3:30pm on ESPN)
Baylor -6.5
O/U 50.5
The Cougars laid a huge egg, losing at home to a Boise State team that OSU shut out for 2/3rds of their game on the blue turf. Baylor's offense lit up a decent West Virginia defense after being completely shut down by the Cowboys. Who is better than we thought? Who is not as good as we thought? Who the hell knows….
I have no clue how to approach the line, but the O/U seems pretty low so I think I would go over on this one, and yes, I will be rooting for BYU.
Texas Tech at Kansas (4pm on ESPN+)
Tech -16.5
O/U 66.5
Meaningless football, unless the Red Raiders bless us with a loss to the Jayhawks. Lay the points, bet the O/U at your own risk. Kansas sucks something awful.
TCU at #4 Oklahoma (7:30pm on ABC)
OU -13.5
O/U 65
Based on what we all saw vs Texas, this game will hinge on whether Williams or Rattler starts, but there is a better than even chance you will see both. More Caleb…lay points and over. More Spencer…take points and under. An upset by the Lizard People would open things up to more chaos.
FARMAGEDDON at Kansas State (7:30pm on ESPN2)
Iowa St -6.5
O/U 51.5
This part should absolutely give you pause…I'm completely sold on laying the points and going with the over. I think this will be a hell of a game. The Wildcats are 0-2 after close battles with OU and OSU, while the Mustard Birds are 1-1 following Baylor and Kansas. Wouldn't be shocked at all if KState won this in Manhattan as the pre-season hype has come crashing down for Matt Campbell.
#12 Oklahoma State at #25 Texas (12pm on FOX)
Texas -5.5
O/U 60
What a way for the Big 12 to start a 2nd straight weekend, another game that matters for the top of the conference. A second loss for Texas wouldn't be crushing as I think there's a good chance a two-loss team makes the title game rematch.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but this game will be all about the Cowboys keeping the Longhorn's offense off the field. SS and company have to maintain drives and the defense has to get off the field on 3rd down. No short fields for the Texas' offense. My prediction is this…if the Longhorns are held under 70 plays and the chunk plays are limited, OSU could be in the game, but that will still depend on the performance of SS and the quality of the play-calling. Given what Gundy said about limiting the playbook going forward, I am expecting a slow, methodical march to the death for Oklahoma State. Just don't think the offense can score enough points. Hope to be proven wrong, but until then I'm laying the points and taking the under. I will not be dragged into Jacob Ingall's hope parade!
GO POKES!!!