With everyone coming off a sugar-induced comma from Monday, we can shift our focus to the home stretch of the Big 12 season. All teams have now gone through their bye weeks and there are just four games remaining for everyone. So which Big 12 week 10 winners will take another step further to the college football postseason? The week nine results were not great. Both straight-up and ATS went 1-3, But the totals almost got us back to .500 on the season with a 3-1 showing. As always, all lines and totals are courtesy of BetMGM.
Season Straight Up: 35-19
Season ATS: 24-21-2
Season Totals: 23-24
Big 12 Week 10 Winners
Texas Tech (+9.5) At #7 TCU:
It will be a fun atmosphere in Fort Worth when Texas Tech comes to town. The Red Raider fan base took exception to a comment by TCU’s recruiting director about NIL potential for Tech athletes. Combine this with the fact this there was a clear effort to keep tickets out of Texas Tech fans’ hands, it could be closer to a bowl game crowd than a home game for TCU. That said, if the Red Raiders are to have any chance against a very good Horned Frog team, they have to win the Middle Eight. Ultimately though, TCU continues to thrive under pressure and remains undefeated.
Straight Up: TCU ATS: Texas Tech Total 69.5: Over
Baylor (+3.5) At Oklahoma:
Baylor is starting to round into the form of a team that many expected to see this season. Coming into this season, the Bears boasted the best returning talent on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Baylor’s head coach Dave Arranda is not starting to see that talent play up to its ceiling. Specifically, the rushing attack of Baylor has really come on strong in the last three weeks. Oklahoma looked like a functional football team last week against Iowa State. But Sooners’ head coach Brent Venables has to be concerned about the physicality of this rushing attack.
This number seems odd given how good the Bears have looked and the struggles defensively Oklahoma has had all year. It certainly isn’t the only odd number found in these Big 12 week 10 winners (more on the weirdest number later). Oklahoma could turn it into a shootout if quarterback Dillon Gabriel is playing his “A” game. But even if they can, Baylor should find a way to make the winning plays down the stretch.
Straight Up: Baylor ATS: Baylor Total 61.5: Over
#18 Oklahoma State (-2.5) At Kansas:
The biggest surprise story in the Big 12 this year, your Kansas Jayhawks, still have work to do in order to go bowling. Head coach Lance Leipold can only hope his playmaking quarterback Jalon Daniels will be back this week. Daniels has been practicing this week, but it’s yet to be determined if he plays against Mike Gundy’s Cowboys. Speaking of injuries, Oklahoma State is one battered team right now, both physically and emotionally. They are trying to bounce back after a stunning 48-0 defeat at the hands of Kansas State. Quarterback Spencer Sanders, who has played through a shoulder injury the past three games, is going to be a game-time decision.
Sanders is just a long list of banged-up Cowboys. However, Oklahoma State still is more talented overall. They should be charged up to prove last week was a fluke. In order to win this game, the Cowboys need to find a way to run the football successfully. That will take some pressure off the passing game, regardless of who plays quarterback. It will also keep a potent Jayhawk offense on the sidelines. Expect plenty of points in Kansas, with Oklahoma State ending the game with a field goal at the buzzer.
Straight Up: Oklahoma State ATS: Oklahoma State Total 64.5: Over
West Virginia At Iowa State (+7.5):
In Ames, two struggling teams will come together to decide who is going to finish last in the Big 12 this season. Both teams have nationally ranked opponents in two of their final three games after this one. West Virginia has been a very hot and cold team all season. This offense has scored 30+ points in six of eight games this year. But was shut down by Texas and Texas Tech, scoring a combined 30 points in those two games. Not exactly the most intimidating defensive units that brought the Mountaineer offense to a grinding stop.
Meanwhile, Iowa State has only hit the 30+ point mark one time all year. That came against the mighty Ohio Bobcats (that was not condescending, the Bobcats are currently first in the MAC). On the flip side, the most points the Cyclones have allowed all year in a single game was 31 to Baylor. Iowa State has been a tough out for Big 12 opponents all year but hasn’t been able to break through. But this Saturday, that all changes. West Virginia has turned the ball over 12 times this year, tied for 69th nationally. Iowa State’s defense, much like their in-state rival, finds a way to score a touchdown defensively and that is the difference in a low-scoring affair.
Straight Up: Iowa State ATS: Iowa State Total 50.5: Under
#24 Texas At #13 Kansas State (+2.5):
This is, without question, not only the strangest number in the Big 12 week 10 winners but possibly of the entire season. Anyone who has watched both of these teams all year should be able to tell that Kansas State is the better football team. Texas’ best result is a close loss to Alabama. They have not beaten a ranked team all season. Their best win is against a 5-3 Oklahoma team that can’t play much defense. Meanwhile, Kansas State, while they have two losses, is currently ranked 13th in the first college football playoff poll.
The Wildcats just dismantled the 18th nationally-ranked team at home. Now, the Wildcats get to host the Longhorns under the lights of Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Kansas State running back Deuce Vaughn is on pace to run for 1,400 yards again by the season’s end. At the quarterback position, it doesn’t seem to matter if it is Adrian Martinez or Will Howard. Martinez has been a full participant in practice this week. But offensive coordinator Collin Klein said the decision on a starter hasn’t been determined and could come down shortly before kickoff Saturday. Regardless, the Wildcats have all the momentum on their side and are just the better team.
Straight Up: Kansas State ATS: Kansas State Total 54.5: Under
