Betting the Big 12: Week 2

Last week was an absolute disaster. An embarrassment. We have to do better. 2-7 won’t cut it. The games were weird, but that’s no excuse. Now we’ve seen everyone on the field. We’re going to sharpen up and this is the week the column makes a comeback. There are still lots of FCS games on the schedule without lines, so we can focus on what matters most. Plus, the NFL returns, and the rest of the college slate gives plenty of interesting offerings.

THE GAMES

Kansas (1-0) at #17 Coastal Carolina (1-0)

Kickoff: Friday 6:30pm | TV: ESPN2 | The Line: Coastal Carolina -25

We’ve got to be looking at the biggest road underdog a Big 12 team has ever been to a Sun Belt team. Kansas may have gotten the win last weekend, but they REALLY struggled to move the ball. Coastal will run the ball down the Jayhawks’ throats. Grayson McCall is a legit QB. I’m ready to start fading Kansas the rest of the way.

Pick: Coastal Carolina -25

Tulsa (0-1) at Oklahoma State (1-0)

Kickoff: 11:00am | TV: FS1 | The Line: Oklahoma State -13.5

I’m trying to not overreact to what we saw a week ago. Both of these teams look terrible. Tulsa lost as a big favorite to an FCS school. Oklahoma State scraped by an FCS school of their own. These teams played a close game last season. I trust Mike Gundy to get things moving in the right direction more than anyone at Tulsa.

Pick: Oklahoma State -13.5

California (0-1) at TCU (1-0)

Kickoff: 2:30pm | TV: ESPNU | The Line: TCU -11.5

Dear reader, I cannot express to you how delighted I am that we are running back the infamous Cheez-It Bowl. In the spirit of that game, I think Cal probably stinks again. TCU didn’t give us anything we can use going forward against Duquesne (seriously, who scheduled that?). We’re running on gut instinct and trying to zig while everyone expects TCU to win in a blowout. Frogs by 10.

Pick: Cal +11.5

#10 Iowa (1-0) at #9 Iowa State (1-0)

Kickoff: 3:30pm | TV: ABC | The Line: Iowa State -4.5

There’s a lot of reasons why Iowa makes more sense from a betting perspective, but I can promise that under no circumstance would I put money on Iowa. Spencer Petras gets smothered by the Cyclone defense and the Clones win the most physical game of the weekend 17-10.

Pick: Iowa State -4.5

#16 Texas (1-0) at Arkansas (0-0)

Kickoff: 6:00pm | TV: ESPN | The Line: Texas -7

WOO PIG SUEY! The future conference rivals get together in Fayetteville. This atmosphere will do its best to rival Ames (and come up short) but I think the Hogs win this game outright. Let’s take the home dog and fade Hudson Card in his first career road start.

Pick: Arkansas +7

BEST BET FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

Washington +7 at Michigan

Call it a hat tip to this week’s Litecast guest Chris Fallica. I love Washington in this spot. There is no way they can play worse than they did a week ago in a loss to FCS Montana. Michigan is riding a little bit too high. Plus, they have to go forward this season without their best offensive player, Ronnie Bell. UW bounces back and keeps this thing close, if not wins it outright.

NFL PICK OF THE WEEKEND

Seahawks -2.5 at Colts

Did somebody say Carson Wentz is the Colts quarterback? That guy stinks. The Seahawks play nothing but weird games, but Russell Wilson is always lights out in September. I think Seattle moves the ball up and down the field, and Wentz isn’t exactly someone I’m afraid of making a comeback.

PROP OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY KIRK FERENTZ’S BOWL BONUS

Will Spencer Petras complete 50% of his passes this weekend?

YES -200

NO +170

SEASON RECORD: 2-7 (-5.7 units)