Tag Archives: Big 12

08.19.15
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Oklahoma State Season Win Total Pick

Pick: Oklahoma State over 7.5 wins (-165)

I’m not a big fan of making season win total picks in college football but there was one prop that stood out for me. I prefer making college football picks based on situations in the middle of the year but I have a strong opinion before the season about the Oklahoma State Cowboys. I think they will win eight or more games in 2015.

Oklahoma State has long been overshadowed in the state by Oklahoma. Now Mike Gundy has built a competitive program that is a threat to compete for a conference title most years. The Cowboys have won double-digit games in the regular season three times since 2010.

Oklahoma State had a down year in 2014 and needed to burn the redshirt on quarterback Mason Rudolph to gain bowl eligibility. Rudolph spelled Daxx Garman, who didn’t take his opportunity when he had the starting job. Rudolph led Oklahoma State to an upset at Oklahoma and the Cowboys defeated the Washington Huskies in their bowl game.

Oklahoma State has a favorable schedule this season. Their three toughest opponents are Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma. The Cowboys play those three games in November and they are all at home. Not having to play the top teams until the final month of the regular season is huge especially with a first-year starting quarterback. I don’t think Oklahoma State will win the Big 12 but I think they can upset either Baylor or TCU at home, and end up winning double-digit games. They only have to win eight games so my reasoning leads me to over 7.5 wins.

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07.16.15
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Big 12 Games to Circle

The Big 12 were the bridesmaids of college football in 2014, and watched while the four other major conferences participated in the College Football Playoff. TCU and Baylor were left out by the committee as Ohio State earned the fourth and final spot. The Buckeyes proved that it was the correct decision by winning it all, but the Horned Frogs and Bears had legitimate cases to be playing in the Rose Bowl or Sugar Bowl on January 1. The Big 12 looks to be one of the more exciting leagues this season. Here are four games to keep an eye on when picking against the spread:

October 24- Kansas Sate at Texas: Kansas State plays four games in as many weeks with the stretch wrapping up in Austin. They play at Oklahoma State, and host TCU and Oklahoma before traveling to meet Texas. Tough spot for Bill Snyder’s team especially with Texas coming out of a bye week. Look to back the Longhorns at home.

October 31- Oklahoma State at Texas Tech: Oklahoma State is a team I think can be one of the biggest surprises in college football. Winning 10 games isn’t out of reach for Mike Gundy’s team. I think the schedule breaks nicely for the Cowboys, who avoid TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma until November and those three games are in Stillwater. Before playing conference favorite TCU, Oklahoma State has to play at Texas Tech. Always seems like a tricky trip for Big 12 teams and one that Oklahoma State might overlook.

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12.05.14
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College Football: Week 15 Picks

After a horrible 0-5 weekend in college football, I am going to be more selective for the last week of the season. The good news is that bowl games are coming up, which is my favorite part of picking college football games. Here are my two picks for this week:

Oklahoma State (+21) over Oklahoma: If there’s one thing I learned about rivalry games last week is that big underdogs can cover spreads. Oklahoma State has struggled this season but this is always a big game and the Cowboys need to win to make a bowl game. Oklahoma State burned quarterback Mason Rudolph’s redshirt two weeks ago and he impressed against Baylor. It’s not confirmed that Rudolph will start but I think he will see some time if Daxx Garman struggles under center. I think this line is a bit higher than it should because of the rumors that Mike Gundy will leave Stillwater for another coaching opportunity this winter. I still think Oklahoma State shows up in Norman on Saturday, and don’t think Oklahoma is a good team.

Wisconsin (-4) over Ohio State: It’s a shame that J.T. Barrett won’t be playing in this game. Ohio State’s offense has been rolling in conference play with the freshman under center. Barrett sustained an injury late in the game against Michigan and now it’s Cardale Jones’ opportunity to start at quarterback. With no game preparation, I think the Ohio State offense will struggle. Wisconsin’s running game with Melvin Gordon will tire out the Buckeyes defense, and Joel Stave won’t be forced to make plays. I also think the distractions of the Playoff rankings will hurt Ohio State in this game, while Wisconsin knows they can play spoiler.

Pool Plays

Oregon (-14.5) over Arizona- Friday Night

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10.17.14
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College Football: Week 8 Picks

Here are my Week 8 college football picks and the rest of the pool plays:

Iowa (+4.5) over Maryland

California (+7) over UCLA

Alabama (-13) over Texas A&M

Over 64 in Alabama vs Texas A&M

Tennessee (+16) over Ole Miss

Under 47 in Ole Miss vs Tennessee

LSU (-10) over Kentucky

Iowa State (+12.5) over Texas

Pool Plays 

Wake Forest (+5) over Syracuse

Purdue (+14) over Minnesota

West Virginia (+8.5) over Baylor

Kansas State (+7.5) over Oklahoma

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09.18.14
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Auburn vs Kansas State Preview

I’ll start off by saying that I have had trouble this week researching college games to pick. I have tried to post picks as early as possible the last three weeks but there isn’t anything I love right now. I hope to post a few picks later in the week but I want to be very selective.

This is one game I was tempted to pick. Auburn makes a rare trip to Big 12 country to play Kansas State on a Thursday night. I would lean to the home team here who are a +9.5 underdog. I was high on Kansas State at the beginning of the season and didn’t expect Auburn to have another magical year. Bill Snyder is one of the best coaches in the country but so is Gus Malzahn and his offensive system that can seem unstoppable.

The Tigers have covered 12 straight games dating back to Week 3 of 2012. I’m going to pass picking against a team that is on that type of streak. I would pick Kansas State as a pool play, and also predict a high scoring game in Manhattan.

09.12.14
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College Football: Week 3 Picks

I looked closely at every college football game and only found two games that I really like this week. I was close of picking East Carolina and Boston College but the lines weren’t high enough. I started 5-5 in the first two weeks after a 2-1 record last Saturday. I’ve done well on my pool plays and hope to continue selecting winners there. Here are the two games I am picking on Saturday:

South Carolina (+6) over Georgia

Arkansas (+3) over Texas Tech

Pool Plays 

UL Monroe (+31) over LSU

Notre Dame (-28) over Purdue

Kentucky (+18) over Florida

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09.12.14
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Arkansas vs Texas Tech Pick

Arkansas travels to Lubbock on Saturday to play Texas Tech. The Razorbacks are a three-point underdog but I think they will win straight up. Arkansas ended their almost year-long losing streak last weekend against Nicholls State. You can’t take much stock from that game but it is a step in the right direction especially after playing Auburn closely for a half in Week 1. Quarterback Brandon Allen has had a solid start to the season and running Alex Collins can do damage to the Red Raiders suspect defense.

Texas Tech is playing their last non-conference game of the season. They had close calls against Central Arkansas and UTEP  in the first two weeks. The offense has been fine under quarterback Davis Webb but the defense has let up yards and points.

Texas Tech’s struggling defense is why I like Arkansas to win this game. Also the Razorbacks know they need to win this game before SEC play begins.

Pick: Arkansas (+3) over Texas Tech

08.29.14
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College Football: August 30 Picks

Thursday picks

Friday picks

I have four picks for the first Saturday of the college football season. The explanation for each game is hyperlinked in the pick.

UCF (-2) over Penn State

Rice (+21) over Notre Dame

Arkansas (+20) over Auburn

Georgia (-7.5) over Clemson

Pool Plays

Oklahoma State (+17.5) over Florida State 

Wisconsin (+5) over LSU Continue reading →

08.27.14
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Big 12 Win Total and Standings Preview

Best Bets

Kansas State over 7.5 wins (-150): The Wildcats won seven regular season games in 2013 after two straight seasons where they won more than 10. Bill Snyder teams are always well prepared for games. I think the combo of quarterback Jake Waters and wide receiver Tyler Lockett will put up big numbers this season. Hosting Auburn and trips to Oklahoma and Baylor is where I see the losses. Kansas State will win the rest of their games and finish third in the Big 12. Continue reading →