With apologies to Baylor, who didn’t get picked last week, week one was chock-full of winners. Straight-up selections went 8-1, ATS went 4-0-1, and totals also went 4-1. This week brings us the first conference matchup of the young season. It also has the biggest brand showdown this week as all eyes will be on Austin, Texas. Future Big 12 members meet up in two different matchups, including ranked teams kicking off late for some #Big12AfterDark. Wait, that’s not a thing? Soon enough it will be. Anyways, let’s get back to work with our Big 12 week two winners. All lines and totals are courtesy of BetMGM.
Big 12 Week Two Winners
#1 Alabama (-20.5) at Texas
Head coach Steve Sarkisian has been putting the full-court press on this week when it comes to expectations for this game. Here is the reality, Texas has some proven skill talent at running back and wide receiver. But, Alabama has the best offensive and defensive player in this game. Oh, and they have the better coach. Texas has two freshmen and two sophomores starting on their offensive line. Lest we forget their Quarterback is also making his second career start. Texas has not seen the depth and skill that the Tide will bring into Austin. I’m sure Sarkisian has a decent game plan to score some points, but this one likely will be over by the second half.
Straight Up: Alabama ATS: Alabama Total (65.5): Over
Missouri at Kansas State (-7.5)
This is an interesting matchup in the Little Apple. Kansas State handled a solid FCS team in South Dakota last week, but there was a major red flag. The Wildcats completed 15 of their 19 pass attempts for only 95 yards. Averaging just over six yards a reception would not qualify as an explosive passing attack. In fact, the Wildcats averaged more average yards per rushing attempt (6.5) with over double the rushing attempts (45). Maybe it means Kansas State is going to just run the veer and power option all year with Deuce Vaughn and Adrian Martinez. For this game, the rushing attack will be enough not just for a victory, but to cover as well.
Straight Up: Kansas State ATS: Kansas State Total (57.5): Under
#25 Houston (+3.5) at Texas Tech
This has a classic Texas shootout written all over it between future conference mates. Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen is very familiar with Lubbock, and how to avoid the tortillas. Expect a very entertaining game in this one as Texas Tech makes one more play to secure victory.
Straight Up: Texas Tech ATS: Houston Total (63.5): Over
Iowa State at Iowa (-3.5)
For everything Houston vs Texas Tech will be, this rivalry game will be the exact opposite. Currently, there is plenty of heat on Kirk Ferentz to get rid of his offensive coordinator as the Hawkeyes have been an abomination on offense. But I think it is safe to say he won’t be firing his son anytime soon. As for this game, it will be weirdly enjoyable because the ball always bounces in some strange directions in this game. Iowa has won six straight in this rivalry. Make it seven and give the game ball to Tory Taylor in advance.
Straight Up: Iowa ATS: Iowa Total (40.5): Under
Kansas (+13.5) at West Virginia
The Big 12 week 2 winners rundown has an early conference matchup. Watch out, folks. Kansas is not a laughing stock anymore. West Virginia is licking its wounds a little bit after dropping the Backyard Brawl. This game should officially send a message to the rest of the conference. Kansas won’t outright, but a hard-fought game keeps it closer than two touchdowns and Lance Leipold’s rebuild of Kansas gains a touch more momentum.
Straight Up: West Virginia ATS: Kansas Total (59.5): Over
Kent State at #7 Oklahoma (-33.5)
Everyone hop aboard the underthink express train for this one. Oklahoma demonstrated it will score some points this year and has much better players than Kent State. And the game is in Norman.
Straight Up: Oklahoma ATS: Oklahoma Total (72.5): Under
Arizona State at #11 Oklahoma State (-11.5)
No one has any idea what Arizona State can be or will be this year. But there are still a handful of pretty talented players on that team. The Cowboys fell asleep at the wheel in the fourth quarter last week against Central Michigan, but the game was never really in doubt. With a Power Five opponent coming to Stillwater, I would suspect Oklahoma State will be locked in from start to finish and pull away down the stretch in the fourth quarter.
Straight Up: Oklahoma State ATS: Oklahoma State Total (57.5): Over
Tarleton at TCU
Of all the Big 12 week 2 winners, this is the mortal lock. Only because BetMGM didn’t have any lines on the game. TCU hosts a WAC program that went 6-5 last year. The quarterback position for the Horned Frogs still isn’t settled officially, even though Chandler Morris saw the most snaps last week against Colorado. Sonny Dykes and his Horned Frogs won’t have any issues in Fort Worth this week.
Straight Up: TCU ATS: N/A Total: N/A
#9 Baylor (+3) At #21 BYU
Everyone better find a way to squeeze a mid-day nap in because this barn burner doesn’t kick off until 10:15 EST. Baylor took down the Cougars in Waco last year by the score of 38-24. Now, it is the Bears’ turn to travel up to altitude and challenge BYU in one of the more picturesque stadiums in all of college football. Baylor brings a stingy defense to Provo, along with excellent talent in the trenches on both sides of the ball. BYU knows if it can’t control the line of scrimmage in this one, they will fall short again. Ultimately, Baylor is the more talented and better-coached team and they continue to own the trench warfare in this one.
Straight Up: Baylor ATS: Baylor Total (53.5): Over
