College football delivered some unexpected results in week two. The Big 12 avoided any major negative headlines. But what it did deliver was a blow to the ego of one intrepid Big 12 correspondent. The Big 12 week three winners have to go better than week two did. The moneyline selections were the best thing that happened, and those only went 8-8. Picks against the spread went an abysmal 2-10 and totals were 6-6. Worst of all, locks are now trending to be a lock to fade as they went winless (0-3). The good news is, the only place to go is up (he said with a quivering voice). All lines are courtesy of FanDuel.
Season Totals
Moneyline: 22-10
Against The Spread: 10-18
Totals: 16-11
Locks: 0-4
Big 12 Week Three Winners
Arizona State At Texas State (+2)
The Big 12 week three winners start with a sneaky good matchup on a Thursday night. If the NFL is more your speed, don’t worry this one kicks off at 7:30 EST so it can be a good appetite for the NFL fans out there seeking their thrills with the Bills and Dolphins. Kenny Dillingham’s team has been the biggest surprise so far early in the season. But Texas State can light up the scoreboard against anyone. The crowd at San Marcos will be fired up for a visit from a P4 program, the first of its kind since 2021 when Baylor came to town. Expect a fun and wacky shootout in South Texas with the Bobcats springing the minor upset.
Moneyline: Texas State ATS: Texas State Total 58.5: Over
UNLV At Kansas (-7)
Kansas needs a bounce back in a big way after laying an egg against Illinois this past week. But take solace in this Kansas fans, another P4 team viewed you so highly they rushed the field after beating you IN FOOTBALL. Think how far Lance Leipold has brought this program. This is one of two Friday night games for the Big 12. Quarterback Jalon Daniels should play better. The Jayhawk defense played well last week and no signs they should take a step back this week. UNLV will still put up some points, but this one will never feel in doubt.
Moneyline: Kansas ATS: Kansas Total 57.5: Over
#20 Arizona (+7) At #14 Kansas State
Nothing like having one of the best Big 12 matchups count as a non-conference game. This one very well could be a rematch in December for the Big 12 championship game. Some of the biggest names in the conference like Noah Fifita, Avery Johnson, and Tetairoa McMillan will be on full display for the college football world. Arizona’s passing attack will keep this close, but Kansas State pulls out the victory with a last-second field goal.
Moneyline: Kansas State ATS: Arizona Total 57.5: Over
#13 Oklahoma State At Tulsa (+20.5)
Mike Gundy’s team pulled off a rare feat last Saturday. Since 2020, there have been 338 games where a team put up 550+ yards and out-gained its opponent by over 200 yards. In those flames, teams were 337-1. Somehow (with some aid from Arkansas) Oklahoma State overcame that stat to win in double OT. Tulsa shouldn’t give many problems to the Pokes, but a letdown is in order. The Golden Hurricanes keep the final score within three touchdowns.
Moneyline: Oklahoma State ATS: Tulsa Total 57.5: Over
North Texas At Texas Tech (-9.5)
This line opened at -11.5 on Sunday and has come down two full points since. The betting public at large feels very strongly that North Texas can score enough to stay within two touchdowns of the Red Raiders. However, with their backs against the wall in a gut-check moment, Texas Tech restores faith back to the home crowd with a decisive victory in a high-scoring game.
Moneyline: Texas Tech ATS: Texas Tech Total 68.5: Over
Cincinnati (-2.5) At Miami (OH)
If Scott Satterfield loses a second consecutive game to their in-state rivals, who won in Nipper last year for the first time since 2002, there might be a new hottest coaching seat in the Big 12. Last week, they coughed one up against Pitt. The Bearcats look to be an improved team, so expect them to do enough on the road against the RedHawks.
Moneyline: Cincinatti ATS: Cincinatti Total 45.5: Under
West Virginia (-2.5) At Pitt
Here is the line of the Big 12 week three winners that smells the fishiest. Does Vegas really think this Mountaineer team has regressed this much? Pitt has not substantially improved from last year. Yes, it is a road rivalry game for Neal Brown and company, but the physical run game of West Virginia should handle Pitt. Lock up the Mountaineers to cover the field goal.
Moneyline: West Virginia ATS: West Virginia Total 60.5: Under
#12 Utah At Utah State (+21.5)
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham has been hush-hush on quarterback Cam Rising’s status for Saturday. It appears Rising may be out for an extended time so Issac Wilson will likely be the starter on Saturday. My suspicion is they will play it cautiously with Rising even if he does play. The defense will smother the Aggies’ offense, but the Utes’ offense won’t look pretty either. Utah wins a low-scoring game, with the Aggies covering by the hook.
Moneyline: Utah ATS: Utah State Total 46.5: Under
Air Force (+15.5) At Baylor
Baylor’s defense showed some fight last week against Utah. Having to play a triple option service academy the week after Utah is just another round of body blows the Bears will have to deal with. Air Force hasn’t been impressive in two weeks, especially coming off a 17-7 loss to San Jose State. Baylor’s offense still leaves a lot to be desired, but the Bears should take care of business against the cadets.
Moneyline: Baylor ATS: Air Force Total 43: Under
UCF (+1.5) At TCU
Possibly the most intriguing matchup of all the Big 12 week three matchups is happening in Fort Worth. The Knights and the Horned Frogs open up conference play and it should be back-and-forth all day. Last year, Gus Malzahn had a few chances to earn Big 12 victories that slipped away in close situations. This year will be different as the powerful rushing attack of the Knights proves to be the difference.
Moneyline: UCF ATS: UCF Total 61.5: Over
Colorado (-7.5) At Colorado State
The Rocky Mountain Showdown could show us if the Buffalos bandwagon has any wheels left. Every little micro incident off the field will only continue to be magnified with each loss for Colorado. On the field, the Buffs’ defense does appear to be improved from last year. It will be interesting if Colorado State dares Colorado to run the ball and opt for maximum coverage against the pass. Even so, the offense playmakers coach Deion Sanders has should be enough to win this rivalry matchup.
Moneyline: Colorado ATS: Colorado Total 58.5: Under
Rice At Houston (-4.5)
Houston showed a lot of toughness on the road against Oklahoma. The Cougars look to keep good vibes rolling. Last season, Rice snapped a seven-game losing streak to their city rivals. Willie Fritz has shown that Houston could be a thorn in multiple teams’ sides this season. As long as Donovan Smith protects the football, Houston will earn a much-needed victory over the Owls.
Moneyline: Houston ATS: Houston Total 44.5: Over
BYU At Wyoming (+9.5)
While BYU picked up a big victory over SMU last week, neither team looked interested in actually winning the game. BYU’s offense only mustered 336 yards of offense in an 18-15 turnover-filled game. Wyoming has been struggling to start the season but likely can give BYU’s offense some trouble. Don’t expect to see a lot of offensive fireworks in this one, but the Cougars escape Larime with a one-point victory.
Moneyline: BYU ATS: Wyoming Total 39.5: Over
