For all the old heads yelling at the college football clouds of change, the new reality upon everyone. The new Big 12 schools (Houston, UCF, Cincinatti, and BYU) all finally take the field with a Big 12 logo stitched on their jersey’s. And while change can be hard, this specific Big 12 season needs to be savored. It is going to be so much fun, even the most curmudgeon and saltiest of “old school” college football fans will find themselves hooked to this edition of the Big 12 conference. With nothing but games to focus on, it is time to pick some week one winners! All lines/totals are reflected of the most common number found across multiple sport books.
Week One Winners From The Big 12
Kent State (+37) at UCF
Big 12 play kicks off on Thursday night this week with one of its newest members. It should be a surprisingly good year one in the Big 12 for Gus Malzhan and his UCF team. And while the Knights shouldn’t have to stress much against the Golden Flashes, 37 points is a ton to cover. Week one winners are hard to feel that confident in because everything is so new. Covering over five touchdowns is a ton to take especially considering the largest margin of victory ever between these two schools happened in 2022 by a score of 32-6.
Moneyline: UCF ATS: Kent State Total 57.5: Over
Missouri State At Kansas
Another Big 12 team gets to have its own day of the week as last year’s favorite 6-6 team kicks off on Friday. The best returning quarterback in the Big 12 is healthy again. Expect Jalon Daniels to pick back up right where he left off in 2022. But will the Jayhawk defense be any better this year? This game, as well as four others in the Big 12 this week at time of writing, don’t even have lines set as Vegas is anticipating a very one-sided affair in this one.
Moneyline: Kansas ATS: N/A Total: N/A
Colorado At #17 TCU (-21)
Plenty of eyeballs will be tuning in to Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff as Deion Sanders makes his Big 12 debut against the runner-up national champions of 2022. However, when 75% of the roster did not even go through spring ball together, it is hard to see a world in which the Buffs can been competitive in week one. TCU quarterback Chandler Morris slides back into the starting position, just like he did in week one last year. Even with all that TCU lost from last year’s team, the Horned Frogs will provide a very hostile welcome to Coach Prime in his Power Five coaching debut.
Moneyline: TCU ATS: TCU Total 59.5: Under
Arkansas State At #20 Oklahoma (-35)
Can Brent Venables quickly kick the stink off of his Sooner team in year two? Don’t expect to learn much in week one against Arkansas State. Afterall, Oklahoma looked like they weren’t going to miss a beat after September last season. Oklahoma is surprisingly weak at the wide receiver position but maybe a new go-to option will emerge. Yes, five touchdowns is a bunch to cover. But of all the point totals from the Big 12 week one winners, this game should see one of the highest scoring, mainly from the Sooners.
Moneyline: Oklahoma ATS: Oklahoma Total 58.5: Over
Northern Iowa At Iowa State
Of all the week one winners, this game is a bit of a shocker in terms of not having a line set. The last two meetings (2019 and 2021) between these two teams have been decided by only one score. Iowa State is unfortunately wrapped up in a gambling scandal that has seen both its starting quarterback and running back suspended for their involvement. It is likely going to turn into a long season for the Cyclones. However, they should do enough to open the season with a victory before their in-state showdown with Iowa next week.
Moneyline: Iowa State ATS: N/A Total N/A
Eastern Kentucky At Cincinnati
The Scott Satterfield era kicks off after Luke Fickell accepted the Wisconsin job at the end of the 2022 season. Satterfield’s long-term progress will be interesting to follow as he was really starting to ramp up Louisville’s recruiting before accepting his new job. But, in terms of a debut game, there won’t be much learned here. The Bearcats start the season 1-0.
Moneyline: Cincinnati ATS: N/A Total N/A
Rice At #11 Texas (-35)
The “Put up or Shut Up” season for Texas finally begins. Although, history tells us Texas will never shut up under any circumstances, but I digress. The most talented team in the Big 12 should be able to call their shot against the Owls from Houston. It feels like a lot of the college football world forgot that Quinn Ewers had a perfect recruit ranking coming out of high school. Even with a little bit of growth out of Ewers, the Longhorns should score bunches of points on everyone they play this season. The only real question is we the Longhorn faithful get to see Arch Manning or Maalik Murphy play snaps before the 4th quarter?
Moneyline: Texas ATS: Texas Total 59.5: Over
UTSA (-1) At Houston
Of all the week one winners from the Big 12, this game should be the most fun. Last season, these two teams played a triple overtime thriller in which Houston won 37-35 in the Alamodome. This one should be no different. Roadrunner quarterback Frank Harris is a dynamic playmaker and one of the best quarterbacks in all of college football, not just at the Group of Five level. Another classic game is on deck as the Cougars fall at home to open the season.
Moneyline: UTSA ATS: UTSA Total 60.5: Over
Texas State At Baylor (-26.5)
It has been quite a three-year ride for Baylor head coach Dave Aranda. This was a team that, going into November last year, was right in the thick of the Big 12 race until the wheels fell off. Can they start as strong as they did last year? We will learn more about them next week when Utah comes to Waco. But there won’t be any issues in week one against Texas State.
Moneyline: Baylor ATS: Baylor Total 60.5: Under
SE Missouri State At #16 Kansas State
The defending Big 12 champions should not run into any problems in week one. But with having lost major contributors on both sides of the ball, will this team take a step back? It helps that they have the best offensive lineman in the conference and having returning production at the quarterback position. Do not expect any hiccups by the Wildcats against the Redhawks.
Moneyline: Kansas State ATS: N/A Total N/A
Central Arkansas At Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State’s season flipped on its head starting on October 15th last year. The Cowboys went 2-6 in their last eight games. Head coach Mike Gundy saw his four-year starting quarterback enter the transfer portal, in addition to plenty of other key contributors. Now, Gundy enters this season at what feels like a crossroads in his career. He won’t have any struggles to open up the season. But will this be the season that his 17-year bowl streak comes to an end?
Moneyline: Ok State ATS: N/A Total N/A
West Virginia At #7 Penn State (-20.5)
West Virginia head coach Neal Brown is coaching on one of the hottest seats in the country. And his week one test is doing him no favors. A trip to Happy Valley is a tall task for a lot of teams already. But the Mountaineers are taking on a team with legitimate playoff aspirations in 2023 and have the talent to get there. Penn State is going to be one of the biggest week one winners as they put the college football world on notice.
Moneyline: Penn State ATS: Penn State Total 50.5: Under
Texas Tech (-14) At Wyoming
It is finally time to see if the Red Raiders are ready for the building expectations. Even at over 7,000 feet above sea level, expect Joey McGuire and company to be ready to rise to the occasion.
Moneyline: Texas Tech ATS: Texas Tech Total 52.5: Over
Sam Houston State (+20) At BYU
Of all the week one winners, this one has the highest upset potential. Sam Houston State is making its FBS debut in Conference USA this year. The Bearkats had a down year for their standards in 2022. This is a program that won the FCS national championship in 2020. BYU, also making a new conference debut, has two-time transfer quarterback Kedon Slovis taking over for the Cougars. BYU should win this game, but never truly pull away from a team itching to prove something.
Moneyline: BYU ATS: Same Houston State Total 50: Over
