Big 12 Football Picks: Week 1
By Brian Spaen
Need that craving of Big 12 football back into your life? Over 14 hours of it will be on display on Saturday, and if that doesn’t give you enough fill, SMU vs Baylor gives you an extra helping on Sunday night.
Yes, COMPETITIVE football may be hard to find, but there’s a couple gems and other games that you should keep an eye on.
All times are central. Predictions underlined means they will cover the spread.
Saturday, September 1st
12:00 p.m. – Marshall @ (11)West Virginia (-26) (TV: FX)
Since renewing the rivalry in 2006, this is the biggest spread that Vegas has set. I can’t say I buy the bait. The trend has become closer and closer, and that shouldn’t stop with a returning quarterback, running back duo, and three senior wide receivers. However, that’s just the spread. WVU shouldn’t have a problem winning the game, all said and done.
Prediction: WVU
2:30 p.m. – Tulsa @ Iowa State (+1.5) (TV: FSN)
Similar teams will make for likely the best matchup with a Big 12 team. Whether that’s a kick to the face of how well the conference has picked non-conference teams this season is up for debate. Still, the Cyclones contain a ton of depth at many positions. A new quarterback for the Golden Hurricanes could prove to be too much down the stretch. Let’s hope Cyclones QB Steele Jantz still has it in him.
Prediciton: ISU
6:00 p.m. – Northwestern State @ Texas Tech (NL) (TV: FSSW+, FSHO+, FCS Pacific)
Prediction: TTU
6:00 p.m. – South Dakota State @ Kansas (NL) (TV: Jayhawks Sports Network)
Prediction: KAN
6:00 p.m. – Savannah State @ (19)Oklahoma State (NL) (TV: FCS Central)
Prediction: OSU
6:10 p.m. – Missouri State @ (21)Kansas State (NL) (Web: CBS Sports Live)
Prediction: KSU
7:00 p.m. – Wyoming @ (15)Texas (-31.5) (TV: Longhorn Network)
Last time these two teams matched up, the Cowboys actually had a halftime lead over the Longhorns. Wyoming didn’t face as good of a defense as Texas has these days. Quarterback David Ash seems to be the “all or bust” quarterback for the Longhorns, and we’ll see if the coaching staff remains more consistent on the QB position.
Prediction: TEX
9:30 p.m. – (4)Oklahoma @ UTEP (+30) (TV: FSN)
Let’s just hope another storm doesn’t delay this game until midnight, or else I will never watch a Big 12 AT C-USA matchup ever again. Neither will FSN pick another one up.
Prediction: OKLA
Sunday, September 2
5:30 p.m. – SMU @ Baylor (-8.5) – (TV: FSN)
Agreed, it’s very tough to judge how Baylor will do this season. Former QB Robert Griffin III was more to this team than many fans want to admit, and I feel like a hangover is definitely in place for the team.
Prediction: SMU
Brian Spaen is the lead editor for Clones Confidential, follow the site on Twitter and Facebook. Read his other work on the Oregon Ducks blog, Autzen Zoo, and Lacrosse the Web.