Handicapping the Big 12 Title Race

Well, this is going to be interesting. With Kansas' resounding win over Kansas State on Monday, the Big 12 title is most certainly up for grabs and this championship race is wide open. I thought I'd take a look at the remaining schedules for each team and put my amateur handicapping skills to use to try and sort this out. I looked at road games, match ups against what I'm calling the Power 6 (Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Oklahoma and Baylor) and also looking at tricky tests remaining against teams like West Virginia and Texas, who will be getting Myck Kabongo back starting on Wednesday night.

Kansas State - 19-5, 8-3

K-State has one of the more manageable slates to end the year. They have three games against the Power 6 with two on the road, including a major test to end the year in Stillwater. Don't sleep on the road game at Texas with Myck Kabongo back in the fold.

Baylor

West Virginia

@ Texas

Texas Tech

@ Baylor

TCU

@ Oklahoma State

Odds: 5-1 - I look at those remaining 7 games and I see the potential for a 6-1 finish with the only loss coming in Stillwater. Can the 'Cats reel off 6 in a row after Monday's letdown?

Kansas - 20-4, 8-3

The Jayhawks have three games left against the Power 6 and all are on the road. KU will need to win at least one of those and then hold serve at home to hold on for yet another conference title.

Texas

@ Oklahoma State

TCU

@ Iowa State

West Virginia

Texas Tech

@ Baylor

Odds: 6-1 - I'm a believer again after Monday night's blow out, but I see losses in Stillwater and Ames. Kansas does hold the tie breaker over Kansas State based on head-to-head match ups.

Oklahoma State - 17-5, 7-3

Th Pokes have four games remaining against the Power 6, but only one is on the road. Oklahoma State isn't going anywhere and they're a certifiable threat to win the league.

@ Texas Tech

Oklahoma

Kansas

@ West Virginia

@ TCU

Texas

@ Iowa State

Kansas State

Odds: 8-1 - Nobody wants to play this team right now, but this young squad is going to have to earn it down the stretch. If Oklahoma State goes 2-1 against Kansas, @ Iowa State and Kansas State, then get out the scissors, because they might be cutting down some nets.

Iowa State - 16-7, 6-4

Not a bad slate to close the year for Fred Hoiberg's team, but each road test is going to be difficult and that's troubling news for a team that has been unable to score a significant win away from Ames.

@ Texas

TCU

@ Baylor

Texas Tech

Kansas

@ Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

@West Virginia

Odds: 12-1 - If Iowa State could win on the road, I'd bump the Cyclones close to the top and possibly give them the best odds. With no road games left against the top 3 in the conference, Iowa State should have a chance to go 2-2 on the road or better, but the road woes are a real thing for this team. Beating Kansas and Oklahoma State at home will be tough, but the Cyclones haven't lost in Hilton in over a year.

Oklahoma - 16-7, 7-4

Don't look now, but the Sooners could jump back into the thick of things. No more Kansas or Kansas State on the schedule and they have winnable road games at Texas Tech, TCU and Texas. The loss of Buddy Hield hurts. If he's still in the line up, I move them up a few slots.

@ Oklahoma State

@ Texas Tech

Baylor

@ Texas

Iowa State

West Virginia

@ TCU

Odds: 16-1 - With the loss of Hield, this Sooners team is probably more concerned at this point with punching their ticket for March. Contending for the league title just doesn't look to be in the cards here.

Baylor - 15-8, 6-4

Baylor has the most games left against the Power 6 with 5 of their last 8, plus sneaky road games at West Virginia and Texas. We all know Baylor has the talent, but with this remaining schedule, they could wind up on the wrong side of the bubble.

West Virginia

@ Kansas State

Iowa State

@ Oklahoma

@ West Virginia

Kansas State

@ Texas

Kansas

Odds: 40-1 - I just don't love this schedule for Baylor. They're already on the bubble as is. Does 3-5 or 4-4 over these last 8 get them into the tournament?