It’s Week 6 of the Big 12 football season, and we’ve got some great games on the schedule. There are Big 12 teams putting their undefeated records on the line in tough road environments, with multiple home teams hoping to pull off upsets. Here are my Pete’s Picks for Week 6 of the Big 12 football season. There are four games I am eyeballing this week as part of the Big 12 betting lines.
BYU -19.5 vs. West Virginia
BYU is home to the Mountaineers, who have lose their two Big 12 games (Kansas, Utah) by more than 30 points in each game. West Virginia is banged up at quarterback, running back and edge rusher. If WVU is going to have any chance, they have to get it going on the ground, and that seems unlikely against BYU’s No. 1-ranked rushing defense. Plus, WVU hits the road for a game that will kick off at 10:30 p.m. ET. Their body clocks will be playing well after midnight. Nothing about this feels like a close game, unless BYU chooses to ease up in the second half. And one week after BYU fell behind early at Colorado in a scare, they won’t be coming into this one flat-footed. I am all in on the Cougars rolling and covering.
Iowa State +1.5 at Cincinnati
The Iowa State Cyclones opened up as a favorite, but then the line flipped to favor Cincinnati. And while the Bearcats are fresh off a solid road win against Kansas, I need to see it to believe it. Iowa State is an undefeated Top 15 team in the country coming off a dominant win vs. Arizona. I know they’re banged up in the secondary with some key pieces missing, but I expect Quentin Taylor and Tre Bell to step in admirably in the back end of the defense, and Jon Heacock to develop a game plan that slows down Cinci’s offense that racked up 600 yards at Kansas. Plus, Iowa State will be able to take advantage of a Cincinnati defense that has struggled vs the pass (14th in the Big 12). Nippert Stadium will be rocking, but Iowa State isn’t getting enough credit here. Give me the Cyclones.
Oklahoma State +21 at Arizona
OK, I admit this is a feel pick as much as anything I like on the board. But 92% of the tickets are on Arizona, while the line hasn’t moved. That tells me the wise guy money is on Oklahoma State to cover this huge number. Oklahoma State actually kept it closer than their 18-point loss to Baylor would indicate last week. Oklahoma State needs Flores to air it and use his big arm against the Wildcats, which he can do, to at least make this one competitive. Clint Bowen, the former Kansas interim head coach, takes over the defense, which could give that side of the ball some juice. I’ll take the Pokes to cover. Total gut pick.
Texas Tech -11 at Houston
Texas Tech is off a bye week following their dominant win at Utah in Week 4. The Red Raiders demolished Utah on both sides of the line of scrimmage, which is all I needed to see to make Tech the favorite to win the Big 12 (even though I had them winning the Big 12 before the season). While Houston looks improved, their Strength of Schedule is 126 so far this season. They have not come close to seeing a team of Tech’s caliber, and who knows how many Tech fans are in the building for this game. The Red Raiders will prove to be on another level in this game.
