Just when Last Word had some momentum building in the past few weeks, the week 11 winners fell flat. The Moneyline was passible going 4-3, but against the spread went 3-4. Meanwhile, the totals went a dreadful 2-5 and we lost another lock because Kansas and Texas Tech traded their Big 12 logos for Big 10 ones last week in Lawrence. But the week 12 winners are only one of two full weeks of regular season left to pick, so we have no choice but to go out on top! As always, all lines/totals are reflected in the most common number across multiple sports books at the time of publication.
Week 12 Winners From The Big 12
Season Record ML: 61-26
Season Record ATS: 34-45
Season Record Totals: 40-39
Lock of the Week: 5-3
#14 Oklahoma (-24.5) At BYU
Hope BYU fans enjoyed the first half of the season. This back-half stretch of Big 12 play has been brutal to the Cougars. Not only has the quality of the opponent increased significantly, but BYU has forgotten how to play anything resembling good offense. If not for five turnovers against Texas Tech, the Cougars would be five five-game losing streak as they welcome the Sooners to town. Brent Venables and his team are still very much alive for a Big 12 title birth. The offense seemed to find some rhythm last week against West Virginia and should continue to roll against a BYU defense that isn’t providing much resistance these days. Expect this game to be over by halftime.
Moneyline: Oklahoma ATS: Oklahoma Total 57.5: Over
Cincinnati At West Virginia (-6.5)
With the goose egg finally out of the win column for the Bearcats, they travel to Morgantown trying to build some late-season momentum. It also reunites old Big East rivals for the first time since 2011. However, West Virginia is coming off a very humbling defeat in Oklahoma. Neal Brown should have his team ready to go in their final home game of the 2023 season. Cincinnati has had too many things go wrong this year to put any trust in them. The West Virginia defense will bounce back and keep the Bearcat offense limited.
Moneyline: West Virginia ATS: West Virginia Total 54.5: Under
Baylor At TCU (-12.5)
Last Word is not sure why this game is now officially referred to as “The Bluebonnet Battle.” Go ahead and do a quick search for that phrase and there is nothing aggregating about a college football game. What most in the state know as “The Revivalry” TCU and Baylor square off for the 118th time on Saturday to play for an uninspiring new trophy as well. The trophy looks about as inspiring as the Baylor Bears have looked this season. Imagine a world where they don’t mount the largest comeback of the season against UCF and they 2-8 with their one win coming in a three-point victory against lowly Cincinnati. Sonny Dykes’ team won’t cover the total by themselves but don’t expect much from Dave Aranda’s team.
Moneyline: TCU ATS: TCU Total 58.5: Over
#23 Oklahoma State (-6.5) At Houston
Houston, you do indeed have a problem. Losing at home to Cincinnati last week was the latest low point in a turbulent season for Dana Holgorsen’s team. Now they get to host an Oklahoma State team that should be plenty motivated after getting run by UCF last week. The Pokes also still have a good chance to make the Big 12 championship game, so they should not be taking Houston lightly at all. Back-to-back road games are never fun, but go ahead and lock up Oklahoma State to cover the touchdown spread in this one.
Moneyline: Oklahoma State ATS: Oklahoma State Total 58.5: Over
UCF At Texas Tech (-2.5)
For those seeking outstanding running back play in the week 12 winners, Lubbock, Texas is the place to be. Tahj Brooks is having an All-American season. UCF has one of the best rushing attacks in all of football. Texas Tech has to limit the UCF ground game if it expects to win. With the addition of one-or-two big plays from the Red Raider wide receiver unit, Texas Tech wins in walk-off fashion.
Moneyline: Texas Tech ATS: Texas Tech Total 59.5: Over
#21 Kansas State (-8.5) At #25 Kansas
Kansas fans rejoice in the news that quarterback Jalon Daniels announced Thursday he is returning to the team in 2024. Could that be enough to keep Lance Leipold from leaving for one of the mounting high-profile jobs in college football? Only time will tell. However, Daniels is not playing in the Sunflower Showdown, and Jason Bean (if he does play) will be limited. That does not bode well to take on a team that looks like an absolute wagon right now. In their last three victories, they have averaged a 37.67 margin of defeat. Even though the rankings suggest this game should be closer, expect Chris Klieman and the Wildcats to roll to their 15th straight victory over their in-state rival.
Moneyline: Kansas State ATS: Kansas State Total 57.5: Over
#7 Texas At Iowa State (+7.5)
This college football season has been way too chalky. With two weeks left in the season, there are still eight teams with legitimate chances to make the college football playoff. It is time for chaos in the week 12 winners. Chaos is the lifeblood of the sport. And what better place to inject that into the season than Ames, Iowa? Texas is the better team. Iowa State’s offense is a concern coming into this one. But Brandon Weeden and Oklahoma State were the landside favorite in 2011 when they came to Ames and lost to a six-win Cyclone team. Texas and Iowa State have split the last eight meetings, with Iowa State having won three of the last four. In what will be a low-scoring, defensive battle, Matt Campbell’s Iowa State team takes down the Big 12’s playoff chances with an upset of the Longhorns.
Moneyline: Iowa State ATS: Iowa State Total 47.5: Under
