There aren’t many Big 12 games featuring FBS opponents. Two of the games are on Thursday, and we’ve already discussed those games, and will once again proclaim our love for Oklahoma State.
In anticipation of Saturday’s games, we’re profiling two games that bettors should be able to exploit.
Texas at Notre Dame (-10)
One of these days, Texas will get back to being the Longhorns of old. After showing some life against West Virginia
and Oklahoma State toward the end of last season, the Longhorns were thrashed by TCU and Arkansas in the regular season finale and bowl game.
The Irish finished the season on a slightly better note, defeating LSU in its bowl game. What does that matter this year? Likely not much, other than the Irish are depending on Malik Zaire contributing at the quarterback position like he did in the bowl game.
While Notre Dame will likely end up the season with a better record, take the Longhorns to keep this game close. Texas has the athletes to compete at a high level, but it’s been difficult for the Longhorns to be consistent on a weekly basis. In this one week snapshot, take Texas to cover the 10 points.
Georgia Southern at West Virginia (-19.5)
West Virginia’s defense should actually be one of the better units on the field Saturday. The Mountaineers will need it since the offense will take some time to break in after losing several key contributors from a year ago, and Georgia
Southern is no slouch.
The Eagles won the Sun Belt Conference last season with an undefeated record during its first year in FBS. And it wasn’t just against the Sun Belt that Georgia Southern made its mark. The Eagles lost by a combined five points against Georgia Tech and North Carolina State last season.
Intimidation won’t be a factor in this game. The only issue with Georgia Southern is that it runs a triple option attack, and the Mountaineers defense has had months to prepare for the unique offense. However, we don’t see West Virginia winning this game by three touchdowns. The Eagles were regularly slighted last season, going 8-4 against the spread, with a +5.3 advantage compared to the spread per game. – Georgia Southern
Other Big 12 games with a betting line
Odds provided by Oddsshark
Oklahoma State (-24.5) at Central Michigan
TCU (-15.5) at Minnesota
Baylor (-35.5) at SMU
Akron at Oklahoma (-31.5)
