Big 12 football picks: Analyzing odds for week two
By Brian Spaen
Aug 31, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys offensive linesman Jake Jenkins (54) snaps the ball during the third quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Here are the favorite odds and game totals for this week’s Big 12 action. Last week, CC went 3-2 against the spread and 2-3 in over/unders.
Click here for complete listings of game times and TV information. Odds are accurate as of Friday night on Covers.
(14)Oklahoma State at UTSA (+27), Total: 59.5
Picks: OK ST -27, OVER 59.5 – This is an absolute lock, regardless of where it’s being played. They made New Mexico, who’s ranked slightly better than their in-state rivals at 108 in USA Today’s preseason poll, look legit in the opener. OSU could hit the over by the third quarter.
Buffalo at Baylor (-27.5), Total: 69
Picks: BUFF +27.5, OVER 69 – With neither team known for the defense, it’s enticing to see this game go well beyond the over/under and the Bulls somehow taking the backdoor cover. The Bears’ defense was top-notch against a better FCS opponent last week.
Louisiana-Lafayette at Kansas State (-10.5), Total: 60.5
Picks: KS ST -10.5, OVER 60.5 – The Ragin Cajuns spelled their own doom not being able to run the ball and going just 4 for 12 on 3rd down conversions in last week’s loss against Arkansas. They can hang with the big teams, but the Wildcats will be looking for redemption.
(16)Texas at BYU (+7), Total: 57.5
Picks: TEX -7, UNDER 57.5 – Now that we’ve seen how good both these defenses are, it’d be shocking to see either team reach in the 30’s. Unless David Ash builds off of last week and BYU just faced a horrible offense in Virginia.
West Virginia at (15)Oklahoma (-21), Total: 56.5
Picks: OKLA -21, UNDER 56.5 – The Mountaineers are going to run the ball more this year, which could play right into the hands of the Sooners’ defense. This should turn into a rout unless they found some answers offensively and do a lot better on 3rd down conversions (2-10 against W&M).