Even with two teams on bye this week, these Big 12 week six winners are going to separate the contenders from the pretenders. This Saturday marks the halfway point of the college season. So when we all wake up Sunday morning, we will have a pretty good idea of all these teams for the second half of the season. Last week was a nice bounce back after a rough week four. The picks went 4-1 straight up, 3-2 ATS, but the totals still fell a little flat going 2-3. As always, all lines and totals are courtesy of BetMGM.
Season Straight up: 28-10
Season ATS: 16-14-1
Season Totals: 14-17
Big 12 Week Six Winners
Texas (-7) Vs Oklahoma
This marks the first since 1998 that these Red River rivals enter this game when both teams are unranked. The quarterback position for both teams is uncertain as both Texas’ Quinn Ewers and Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel are working back from injury. When it comes to the Big 12 week six winners, it might be best to avoid this game. Red River is always a game where the unexpected happens. This game should be a shootout. Some of us old enough might even call it a Red River Shootout.
After all, how much better could Oklahoma’s defense have gotten in less than one week after getting torched to the tune of 96 points in their last two games? All signs point to Texas’ offense doing more than the Sooners, so that’s our story and we are sticking to it. But don’t say you weren’t warned about this one going in a completely unforeseen direction.
Straight Up: Texas ATS: Texas Total 65.5: Over
#17 TCU (-7) At #19 Kansas
*Opens up arms really wide* Hey Kansas. Bring it in. It’s been an incredible five weeks. The Jayhawks are a fun team to watch. Kansas very well might be the biggest story of the first half of the college football season. All those Jayhawk fans should be proud that they aren’t counting down the days until opening tip-off. And as great as it has been, all good things must come to an end. TCU has a powerful offensive arsenal they are bringing to Lawrence. Sonny Dykes, who coming into the season appeared to not ever really be settled on the quarterback position, does not have that problem anymore. Max Duggan leads the country in passing efficiency (202.2) and is third in completion percentage (74.5%). Don’t be mad that it’s over (temporarily), but be thankful that it happened.
Straight Up: TCU ATS: TCU Total 67.5: Over
Texas Tech At #7 Oklahoma State (-9.5)
Texas Tech is not very good at protecting the quarterback. Oklahoma State is very good at sacking the quarterback. Unless Joey McGuire’s Red Raiders can get off to a fast start and find some explosiveness offensively, this one should never be in doubt. The Cowboys roll on their way to 5-0 before getting ready to travel to Fort Worth to take on TCU.
Straight Up: Oklahoma State ATS: Oklahoma State Total 69.5: Under
#20 Kansas State (-2) At Iowa State
What does Vegas know about this game? Sure, Iowa State has been close in Big 12 play. They have lost their two games by a combined 10 points. But don’t blame the Cyclones’ defense. Matt Campbell’s defensive unit, statistically, is the best defense in the Big 12. Their total defense ranks eight nationally at 255.4 yards allowed per game. Naturally, their scoring defense is also ranked 12th allowing only 14.4 points per game.
But they haven’t seen anything like Chris Klieman’s powerful rushing attack. Kansas State’s 346 rushing yards against Texas Tech last week were the most the Wildcats have had in a Big 12 game since 2016. That performance pushed their average rushing yards per game to 267.2, which ranks them fourth nationally. This upset win by Iowa State will push their current win streak against the Wildcats to three.
Straight Up: Iowa State ATS: Iowa State Total 45.5: Over
