Betting the Big 12: Week 6

Iowa State may be off this weekend, but that doesn’t mean the Big 12 is taking the week off. We’ve got 2 interesting Big 12 clashes on the agenda, and a game between the future 4th and 7th best teams in the SEC West. This is a good slate of games across the country. Lets win the early games, watch some playoff baseball, go apple picking, carve a pumpkin, get all your other fall activities done and enjoy the weekend. Next week, we dive headfirst into the stretch of the season.

THE GAMES

West Virginia (2-3) at Baylor (4-1)

Kickoff: 11:00am | TV: FS1 | The Line: Baylor -2.5

Sometimes it is as simple as taking the home team as a short favorite. I can’t figure West Virginia out at all. Dave Aranda was all over his team for not being competitive against Oklahoma State. He’s a good coach who will get the message across.

Pick: Baylor -2.5

#6 Oklahoma (5-0) vs #21 Texas (4-1)

Kickoff: 11:00am | TV: ABC | The Line: Oklahoma -3

The lack of games this weekend has given plenty of time to focus on this matchup of ATMs masquerading as Big 12 teams. We’re almost halfway through the regular season and Oklahoma still hasn’t covered against an FBS team. It seems like the public is really buying in on Texas with this line creeping all the way down to a field goal. I get it. They’re playing well. But their schedule has been weak. They won’t sneak up on Oklahoma like some of their truly dreadful teams of the last decade have. If it doesn’t happen for the Sooners this week, then it won’t all season. Lets back them one last time.

Pick: Oklahoma -3

TCU (2-2) at Texas Tech (4-1)

Kickoff: 6:00pm | TV: ESPN | The Line: TCU -2.5

How Texas Tech won at West Virginia last week is a total mystery. But at the same time, they are now 4-1 with 2 pretty impressive wins on the resume. So why would they be a home underdog against 2-3 TCU? I’d be surprised to see Gary Patterson lose 3 straight. This line stinks out loud. Zach Evans runs wild and the Frogs defy logic to cover in this one.

Pick: TCU -2.5

BEST BET FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

Alabama -18 at Texas A&M

Nick Saban has never lost to a former assistant. Texas A&M can’t score. The Aggies are the most overrated team year in and year out. Alabama may drop 50 points by themselves. There is a 0% chance the Tide is looking past this game.

BONUS HAPPINESS HEDGE OF THE WEEKEND

Iowa -1.5 vs Penn State

At this point I think what you need to beat Iowa’s defense is a truly dynamic quarterback that can beat good coverage and make up for a couple of mistakes, or a team to pitch a perfect game offensively. I don’t Sean Clifford and Penn State as either of those things. You hate it. I hate it. We all know deep down this is inevitable. Take Iowa and at least you know you’re profiting off their miracle season continuing.

NFL PICK OF THE WEEKEND

Chiefs -3 vs Bills

Don’t overthink this one. The Bills have been absolutely red hot in their last 3 games and the Chiefs defense is really shaky. But this game really matters. The Chiefs aren’t blowing another home game as they attempt to regain control of the AFC.

PROP OF THE WEEK FOR FANS WITH BYE WEEKS

Total “unsportsmanlike conduct” penalties for Horns Down gestures in the Red River game?

O/U 2.5

SEASON RECORD: 20-20 (-1.9 units)