One would expect the winners to start improving after officially reaching the halfway point. After all, we have enough data to get a good read on all 16 Big 12 members, right? The week seven winners brought some green across the board. The moneyline and totals both went 3-2. However, we still didn’t clear the .500 mark against the spread only going 2-3. But with eight games on the Big 12 week eight card, there is not any time to waste. All lines are courtesy of FanDuel.
Season Totals
Moneyline: 44-27
Against The Spread: 28-39
Totals: 34-32
Locks: 1-7
Big 12 Week Eight Winners
Oklahoma State At #13 BYU (-9.5)
A Friday night in Provo is about the last place Mike Gundy and his Cowboys want to resume his season. Gundy is less healthy than most of his team off a bye week as he “had a run-in” with his cattle. The injury forced him to take his weekly press conference via Zoom without a camera on. Normally, the team playing on a short week against the team coming off the bye would be reason enough to take the underdog. But BYU is an absolute wagon so far this season. The Pokes have shown zero signs offensively to think they can do anything against this Cougar defense. The magic of the Lavell Edward’s lights is too much for the Cowboys to keep this competitive.
Moneyline: BYU ATS: BYU Total 52.5: Over
Arizona State (+4.5) At Cincinnati
At first glance, Arizona State being the road underdog in the Big 12 week eight winners might seem odd. But Cincinnati’s only losses this season are to teams with a combined record of 11-1. Adding in the fact that Arizona State is going to be without quarterback Sam Leavitt, now the line seems to make more sense. While Cincinnati should be able to score on the Sun Devils, slowing down Cam Skattebo appears to be too tall of an ask. Skattebo is one of the best and most productive running backs in all of college football. So having a backup quarterback fill in this week should not stimey the surprising season for Kenny Dillingham’s squad.
Moneyline: Arizona State ATS: Arizona State Total 49.5: Over
Houston (+4.5) At Kansas
Kansas has not been playing horrifically uncompetitive football. But they have found new and exciting ways to lose all season. All but one of their losses have come by less than seven points. The Jayhawks currently only have one win over FCS Lindenwood. Houston isn’t going to be challenging for any Big 12 supremacy this season, but they have improved quickly under Willie Fritz. The Cougar defense is the best unit of the two teams and they force the critical turnover at the end of the game to secure the outright victory.
Moneyline: Houston ATS: Houston Total 47.5: Over
Colorado (+4) At Arizona
The two former Pac-12 members meet for the first time as Big 12 members in Tuscon. The Buffs come into this one slightly nicked up. Four of their wide receivers were on the injury report this week. But for Deion Sanders, it appears they will have both Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr in this game. It will be interesting to see how Sanders utilizes Hunter. If there was a game to just use him on defense, this might be the one. A Hunter vs. Tetairoa McMillan showdown is as good as it gets. Colorado has shown improvement all season, while the Wildcats seem to be sliding in the wrong direction as the season progresses. Not only does Colorado cover, but in a lower-scoring game, the Buffs secure the outright win.
Moneyline: Colorado ATS: Colorado Total 58.5: Under
Baylor At Texas Tech (-6.5)
If Texas Tech wants some respect from the AP voters, they have to make sure Baylor is out of this game early. Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire knows that if they can make Baylor one-dimensional offensively, a statement victory in a rivalry game is obtainable. Expect another big game from Tahj Brooks as he marches closer to the all-time school rushing record and a happy homecoming for Red Raider alumni.
Moneyline: Texas Tech ATS: Texas Tech Total 55.5: Over
UCF At #9 Iowa State (-13.5)
This is a bad matchup for UCF. The Knights, who have been struggling mightily over the last month, now have to travel up to Ames and take on a team that ranks 15th in total defense this season. In addition, Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht should have a good game. The Knights CF are allowing 311 yards passing in conference games. In addition, opposing quarterbacks have completed 68.9% of their attempts. Maybe if this game was at the Bounce House, there would be reason to think Gus Malzahn’s team could keep this close. But the Big 12 week eight winners bring back a lock selection as the Cyclones will cover the two touchdowns.
Moneyline: Iowa State ATS: Iowa State Total 49.5: Under
#17 Kansas State (-3.5) At West Virginia
Last Word has tried twice this year to pick the upset spot in Morgantown. However, both Penn State and Iowa State have burst those bubbles. Now, with Kansas State coming to town, is this the time Neal Brown’s team finally punches above its weight class? In a word, no. The Wildcat rushing attack, powered by quarterback Avery Johnson and running back DJ Giddens, will overwhelm this West Virginia front. Expect a very similar game to what we saw last week in Morgantown with the home team losing yet again.
Moneyline: Kansas State ATS: Kansas State Total 55.5: Under
TCU At Utah (-4.5)
The Big 12 week eight winners wrap up late-night at Rice-Eccles with the struggling Horned Frogs coming to town. With the questions, at least for this season, about Cam Rising finally put to bed for the season, the Utes can try to move forward. However, the problem for the Utes is the offense has struggled with and without Rising for most of this season. TCU’s defense is not a daunting unit. They have allowed at least 27 points to every FBS opponent they have played this season. But both Arizona schools kept the Utes under 20 points. Kyle Whittingham will lean heavily on his defense to carry the day. While Utah will still struggle to score, the Horned Frogs will have an even harder time getting points.
Moneyline: Utah ATS: Utah Total 49.5: Under
