Previewing Week 13 of Big 12 Football: Chaos Is Upon Us. Now, Here We Go...
Prepare yourself for what is set to be the most exciting single day of Big 12 football.
When it was announced early last year that Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah would all be joining the Big 12, fans of the other teams already in the conference were excited about the possibilities of the amount of parody that was possible for the Big 12. The throne was up for grabs with no true Blue Blood in football, meaning anyone could reach up and grab the reigns from Oklahoma—not Texas— to take control. As we enter the last two weeks of the season, even those who predicted chaos for the conference couldn't have predicted how much drama and unpredictability was possible with two weeks left in the regular season.
BYU, Arizona State, Colorado, and Iowa State are still playing for a birth in the Big 12 title game. That makes BYU at Arizona State a defacto elimination game. Colorado is the hottest team in the conference right now. Their reward? They play the second-hottest team in the league, the Kansas Jayhawks, who have beaten Iowa State and BYU in consecutive games. Iowa State does have the “easiest” path to a win this weekend but never underestimate a Kyle Whittingham-led team.
I’m predicting total chaos this week.
Last Week Pic Results (Week 12)
I went 2-1 for the week. Not bad for having some hot takes.
Upset Alert: KU @ BYU (BYU -3)
KU 17, BYU 13. Told you!
Bet to Cover: Cincinnati @ Iowa State (Iowa State -7.5)
Iowa State 34, Cincinnati 17. Told you!
Bet NOT to cover: Utah @ Colorado (Colorado -11)
Colorado 49, Utah 24. Did not get it.
Game(s) of the Week: Colorado @ Kansas (COL -2.5) & BYU @ Arizona State (ASU -3)
For the first time, we have two games of the week. I couldn’t decide which game to pick, so I designated both of them as game of the week. The entirety of the conference will be determined within these two games, so it would be impossible to tell the story of this week’s story without choosing both games. BYU doesn’t have the luxury of playing a bottom-feeder to rebound after the loss to Kansas. They now have to play Arizona State, which is if not for Indiana, would be the most amazing story in college football this year. Expect a close game that is taken over by Cam Skattebo late, giving ASU a birth into the Big 12 title game.
KU is on a roll and has been killing giants left and right. I think this game against Colorado is the game. Jalon Daniels will take the game by the throat and bounce Colorado from the Big 12 title game.
Upset Alert: Texas Tech @ Oklahoma State (TTECH -3.5)
Texas Tech is poised to be the only team that Oklahoma State beats in Big 12 play because that is what the Red Raiders do. A late bye week for the Cowboys to concentrate on this game will mean the Oklahoma State Cowboys will get their first conference win. Expect Ollie Gordon to go off and score 1+ touchdowns.
Bet to Cover: Baylor @ Houston (Baylor -8)
Baylor is good, and Houston is not. It’s that easy. Baylor’s passing game has been one of the best in the league ever since Sawyer Robertson was named the starter halfway through the season. Robertson ranks third in passing efficiency, which is why the Bears should win by more than eight points. Expect this game to get ugly early.
Bet NOT to cover: Cincinnati @ Kansas State (KSU -9)
Kansas State is playing like major ass right now, so I wouldn’t trust them to cover nine points at home, even if it is against Cincinnati, who has lost three straight games. Talent is what might win the game late for the Wildcats; expect the Bearcats to keep a close game for 3 1/2 quarters before the Kansas State defense or special team makes a play at the end. But if you put a couple of coins towards this game, keep in mind that Cincinnati keeps it close, and Kansas State pulls away at the end, less than nine points.
Sicko game of the week: UCF (4-6) @ West Virginia (5-5) (UCF -3)
This is the only matchup of the week where both teams are still fighting to go to a bowl game. Since UCF needs two wins and West Virginia needs one more, both teams will be playing like it’s the college football playoff. This team will be high-scoring and will be back and forth. So, if you’re interested in a game where you might see some crazy stuff, please tune in to the Knights versus the Mountaineers. Should be a doozy!