Deion’s Colorado Among Big 12 Teams Primed to Hit Over Win Totals
This season is going to be very interesting for the Big 12 Conference as four new teams were added and two traditional powers left. That will have a massive effect on the college football lines for the over/under season win totals. The Big 12 has gone through the most impactful changes compared to all the other conferences. The Big 12 also saw Texas and Oklahoma, its two top teams, leave while eight new ones have been added over the last two years.
Four more teams were added to the Big 12 before last season. BYU, UCF, Cincinnati and Houston all had their first season in the Big 12 during 2023. Their addition was to offset the loss of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC this offseason.
Still, the Big 12 has added four more teams from the now-dissolved Pac-12: Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah. All that has shaken up the conference, which could make predictions on over/under for win totals more complicated. However, there are still teams worth betting the over on, and could thrive in this newly made conference.
Oklahoma State Cowboys (7.5 Wins)
Now that Texas and Oklahoma have left the Big 12, the conference will have a clear power vacuum. A few teams might step into the void this season and Oklahoma State has a chance to be one of those contending teams.
In 2023, the Cowboys had a really good season, finishing the regular season with a 9-3 record. They made it to the Big 12 Championship Game, losing to Texas, but beat Texas A&M in a bowl game. That should make them one of the front-runners to win the Big 12 this season.
Ollie Gordon II #2025nfldraft pic.twitter.com/fPgz9Whx5N
— Ray G (@RayGQue) May 15, 2024
However, Oklahoma State’s odds (+1000) to win the Big 12 are not great. That is a surprise given that many of the starters from last season are returning, most notably running back Ollie Gordon II, who rushed for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2023. The Cowboys did have one of the worst defenses in the Big 12, allowing the most yards per game last season, but that did not stop them from winning games and shouldn’t again in 2024.
In addition, their schedule isn’t the hardest. Outside of facing Arkansas, Utah and Kansas State before October, Oklahoma State should hold its ground for the rest of the schedule.
Kansas State Wildcats (9.5 Wins)
Another team that is more than ready to fill the power vacuum left behind by Texas and Oklahoma is Kansas State. That is reflected by the Wildcats having one of the highest win total lines in the Big 12 and their odds to win the conference being set at +330, tied with Utah for the lowest. Last season, they went 8-4 in the regular season and 6-3 in conference play before winning a bowl game.
Avery Johnson👀👀
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 29, 2023
The Wildcats also averaged the most points per game of any returning Big 12 team. While they will have to go through a quarterback change, with Will Howard transferring, Avery Johnson should still be able to keep the offense going. Johnson started in Kansas State’s bowl game, throwing for 178 yards and rushing for 71 while contributing three scores. Running back DJ Giddens, also one of the returning players, had 1,226 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
On top of that, the Wildcats had one of the best defenses in the Big 12 last season. They were second in points allowed per game, which gives them a good chance to win the Big 12 and surpass their win-total line.
Kansas State also has a kind schedule. The Wildcats’ games against Oklahoma State, Arizona and Kansas could be their toughest matchups of the season, but they will be at home and that will surely help.
Colorado Buffaloes (5.5 Wins)
Colorado’s head coach, Deion Sanders, is one of the main attractions of college football. His massive success in the transfer portal over the last two seasons has helped him rebuild the Buffaloes roster twice.
Shedeur Sanders is CLUTCH pic.twitter.com/whugxwVVoL
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 8, 2023
A few things give the Buffaloes a chance to hit the over, from having arguably the best quarterback in the Big 12 to wanting to prove something in their first year in a new conference. Because of the power vacuum, Colorado probably won’t be the team to challenge for the Big 12 championship, but having Shedeur Sanders under center will help. He threw 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns, and three interceptions in 2023 in the Pac-12.
However, the one concern behind this college football pick is that Colorado does have a brutal end to the schedule. Last season, the Buffaloes had a similar situation, starting 4-2 but losing the final six games. With more talent on the roster, the Buffaloes will likely make an impact in their first season in the Big 12 but they could fade at the end. They should still get enough wins to hit the over.
Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.
Questions of the Day
What team has the best odds to win the Big 12 this season?
Kansas State and Utah are tied for the best odds to win the Big 12, set at +330.
