HCS Roundtable: Big 12 Week 5 Locks of the Week
Last week, Big 12 play was as unpredictable as it has been in recent memory, as we saw three underdogs not only win the spread, but outright as well.
Baylor took down Iowa State in Ames, Texas Tech outlasted Texas in Lubbock, and Kansas State ran all over Oklahoma, bringing three favorites down in the process.
This week, there is reason to believe that we could be in for even more chaos as all ten teams in the conference are active and battling one another.
Last week, the HCS staff went 3-1, bringing their two week total to 6-1. Let’s try to keep the good times rolling in Week 5.
Pete Mundo (Record: 4-0)
Game: West Virginia at Texas (-10)
The Big 12 is so loaded and evenly balanced, I’m not sure any team is worthy of being a double-digit favorite, especially Texas after their meltdown last week in Lubbock. Now they come home wounded and welcome in a West Virginia team that is coming off a very solid road win against Virginia Tech and has had some extra time to rest since they played last Thursday. Neal Brown knows he’s got the hottest seat in the league and going on the road and beating Texas would go a long way for him to get this year’s team back on track. J.T. Daniels is getting more comfortable by the week and C.J. Donaldson is going to be a great running back. Both will have success against the Texas defense and can definitely cover this number.
Lock: West Virginia (+10) *Buy the Half-Point if Needed
Bryan Clinton (Record: 4-0)
Game: Texas Tech at No. 25 Kansas State (-8)
I was impressed with both of these squads last week in wins over Texas and Oklahoma, respectfully. Now, with Texas Tech hitting the road and heading to Manhattan, one of these programs will climb to 2-0 in conference play and will announce themselves as a true contender early on in the season. While I do believe that team will be Kansas State, I think that eight points is a bit too much for this line. While I can’t forget what I saw against Oklahoma last week, I am inclined to believe that we have a bit of regression from the Wildcats here, and Texas Tech is good enough to keep this close. Give me Adrian Martinez and the Wildcats to win, but Texas Tech to cover the spread.
Lock: Texas Tech (+8)
Derek Duke (Record: 1-1)
Game: No. 18 Oklahoma (-5.5) at TCU
There are some interesting lines out for this Saturday but there was one that was just too good to pass up. Of course, I am talking about the Oklahoma/TCU game where the Sooners are favored by six points. When the lien first came out it was set at four and I was pretty open about hammering Oklahoma early on. Now it’s at six and I still believe that it is a great way to put some green in your pocket or possibly play it for a late game. We still don’t know how good TCU is due to their schedule, but the Frogs still have some things to work on because they aren’t a top five Big 12 team in my eyes. Meanwhile you have an angry Oklahoma team looking to avenge their loss from last week at home. Give me the angry Brent Venables’ by a million.
Lock: Oklahoma (-5.5)
Matthew Postins (Record: 2-2)
Game: Oklahoma (-5.5) at TCU
Disclaimer: I am contractually obligated to do this. I am not a gambler. I’m much better at fantasy sports. That said, I have a hard time believing that Oklahoma won’t take out its frustrations on TCU on Saturday, even if the game is in Fort Worth. Oklahoma has beaten TCU eight straight times and the Sooners have won five of the last six games by more than a touchdown. I agree that it’s a new Big 12 world. But I don’t see TCU winning or even losing within a touchdown.
Lock: Oklahoma (-5.5)
