With the holiday season quickly approaching, Last Word ensured that there would be a little extra cash in the coin purse thanks to week 12’s winners. While ATS only went 3-1, Moneyline picks were 6-1 and totals went 5-2. Oklahoma State also made sure the lock stayed intact last week as well. And as nice as that was, it is sad to realize that the week 13 winners are the last full week of college football for 2023. So let’s make sure we go out with a bang (before bowl season)! As always, all lines/totals are reflected in the most common number across multiple sports books at the time of publication.
Week 13 Winners From The Big 12
Season Record ML: 67-27
Season Record ATS: 37-49
Season Record Totals: 45-41
Lock of the Week: 5-3
TCU At #13 Oklahoma (-9.5)
The week 13 winners start on Friday when everyone will be making Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches. An 11 am local kick will not make for a charged-up atmosphere early in Norman, but Brent Venables’ team has plenty to play for. The Sooners need to handle their business and get some help if they want to play for a Big 12 title. TCU will be fighting for bowl season and Oklahoma hasn’t always been dominant in home games this year. However, after what will be a close first half, the Sooners should pull away in the second half in a game with plenty of points.
Moneyline: Oklahoma ATS: Oklahoma Total 63.5: Over
Texas Tech (+14) At #7 Texas
Joey McGuire and the Red Raider nation would love nothing more to take up Big 12 Brett Yormark’s preseason request. However, if Texas Tech cannot have a decided advantage in the turnover margin, it will struggle. With a simple “win and in” option in front of Texas, they give the home crowd plenty to cheer about deep into the Texas Black Friday night.
Moneyline: Texas ATS: Texas Tech Total 52.5: Under
Houston At UCF (-13.5)
We now kick off the final full Saturday of the college football season with former AAC members who have struggled plenty in their new conference home. One team is still playing to extend its season by one game, and it happens to be Gus Malzahn’s squad playing at home. The Knights have seemingly rounded back into their September form. Without anything really to play for other than pride, a flat Houston squad gets ran over by R.J. Harvey and company.
Moneyline: UCF ATS: UCF Total 61.5: Over
BYU At #20 Oklahoma State (-16.5)
The other Big 12 team that is a clear-cut “win and in” scenario is Mike Gundy’s Cowboy team. BYU has had a major slide in the second half of the season. Until last week against Oklahoma, which was still a loss, the Cougars lost their three previous games by a combined 91 points. BYU has struggled to move the ball since late September. There is no reason for Oklahoma State to complicate this. Just turn around and hand the ball off to Ollie Gordon II and let him rush the Cowboys to Arlington next week. The week 13 winners find their lock again with the Cowboys for a second straight week to cover the three scores.
Moneyline: Oklahoma State ATS: Oklahoma State Total 56.5: Under
West Virginia (-8.5) At Baylor
Much like Houston, Baylor appears to be a team that already has had enough football this season. Bears’ head coach Dave Aranda will have plenty of off-season decisions to make going into what has turned into a critical 2024 season for his job. Meanwhile, Neal Brown who was faced with a similar hot seat situation coming into this season, has more than answered the call. His team is playing physical and competent football. There is a good chance the crowd shots in Waco are going to be full of empty seats. The Mountaineers will run the Bears out of their stadium.
Moneyline: West Virginia ATS: West Virginia Total 55.5: Over
Kansas At Cincinnati (+6.5)
On paper, there is no reason why this spread should be less than a touchdown. Lance Leipold has had his Jayhawk team playing great football all season. Even down to their third-string quarterback, the Jayhawks came close to ending their losing streak to their in-state rivals last week. Meanwhile, the Bearcats have stunk in 2023. In theory, Kansas should be the lock of the week 13 winners. However, there is a letdown factor with this one. It’s going to be a fairly sleepy Nipper Stadium (even with a nighttime kickoff). Many of the students likely will pass coming back for this one. The Jayhawks aren’t immune from a sloppy game on the road. The game will never feel in doubt, but a late score give Cincinnati a backdoor cover.
Moneyline: Kansas ATS: Cincinnati Total 57.5: Over
Iowa State At #19 Kansas State (-9.5)
By the time this game kicks off, the Wildcats will know if they are playing for a chance to defend their Big 12 title. Certainly, if that is the case, Kansas State would turn into the second lock of the week 13 winners. But even if they are just playing for a nine-win campaign, which would be the first time they have done that in the regular season since 2011-2012, the Wildcats won’t be flat. Iowa State has a defense physical enough to give Kansas State’s rushing attack problems. However, Iowa State’s offense will be the reason they can’t stay within two scores. Regardless of motivation, the Wildcats handle their business at home to close out the Big 12 season.
Moneyline: Kansas State ATS: Kansas State Total 45.5: Under
