Football Picks This Week: Underdogs Best Big 12 Bets
The Big 12 continues to be the wild, wild West, providing a wide range of outcomes from week to week for the majority of the conference. This is entertaining for fans but can be challenging as we provide our college football predictions this week around the Big 12.
See the end of the Houston-West Virginia game as evidence (TLDR: the Cougars won on a Hail Mary). Last week, we went a disappointing 1-3, but there are plenty of opportunities to bounce back in Week 8.

Here is a look at the best bets for the Big 12 based on the Las Vegas college football odds.
TCU Hangs With Kansas State
Kansas State looks like it found its quarterback of the future in Avery Johnson, but the Wildcats could still lean on both quarterbacks against TCU. Meanwhile, the Horned Frogs might have also found their QB1 in Josh Hoover, who exploded onto the scene while filling in for an injured Chandler Morris.
“Avery Johnson is a really good athlete, like a phenomenally good athlete.”@LateKickJosh breaks down Kansas State’s 38-21 win over Texas Tech which was highlighted by true freshman 4⭐️ QB Avery Johnson’s 5 touchdown performance 🏈
WATCH📺: https://t.co/F2BU9hS3R7 pic.twitter.com/6iUhA5H7TN
— 247Sports (@247Sports) October 16, 2023
TCU dominated BYU 44-11 in Week 7 and should be able to hang with Kansas State.
College Football Pick: TCU +6½
Houston ATS Pick Against Texas
Anytime Texas plays another school in the state it should always be a red flag for the Longhorns, especially a program like Houston that is transitioning from the Group of Five to Power Five. The Cougars get this matchup at home and will be plenty motivated to give the Longhorns a scare.
HOUSTON HAIL MARY FTW 😱😱
UNREAL.
(via @CFBONFOX)pic.twitter.com/Kf6xWnC7qG
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 13, 2023
Houston’s offense performed much better against West Virginia than it did to start the season. Texas is not in danger of losing this matchup, but the more than three-touchdown spread is too many points.
College Football Pick: Houston +23½
Oklahoma State Finally has a QB
It appears Mike Gundy’s decision to play three quarterbacks to start the season was less than ideal. The Cowboys have since landed on Alan Bowman and are coming off impressive wins over both Kansas schools.
Right out the gate ‼️@alanbowman_ finds @Ollie_Gordon2 in the flat and @CowboyFB scores on its opening drive in front of the home crowd.
📺 FS1 pic.twitter.com/eqO10k3CVr
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 14, 2023
West Virginia is coming off a loss to Houston on a stunning Hail Mary, but the Mountaineers had to fight their way back just to be in the game. Add Oklahoma State covering against West Virginia to your sports bets for the weekend.
College Football Pick: Oklahoma State +3½
Texas Tech Tops BYU
Will the real BYU team please stand up? After BYU’s win over Arkansas, it looked like the Cougars’ inaugural season in the Big 12 would get off to a hot start. Instead, BYU is coming off a 33-point loss to TCU.
Texas Tech is not the Big 12 contender that some believed could happen heading into the season. This is still a solid Red Raiders team that I have slightly more faith in than the Cougars when it comes to the college football odds.
College Football Pick: Texas Tech -4½
Which Big 12 Week 8 games have the largest point spreads?
Texas is a 23½-point favorite over Houston in the spread. Oklahoma is favored by 19 points over UCF.
Which Big 12 running backs are likely to rush for over 100 yards?
Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks has rushed for more than 100 yards in four of his first seven games. Oklahoma State rusher Ollie Gordon has had three straight 100-plus rushing yards games.