Oddsmakers say Texas football is the only challenger to Oklahoma football in Big 12
By John Buhler
The latest Big 12 title odds suggest Texas football might finally be back.
How much has Texas football closed the gap on Oklahoma football in the Big 12?
According to the latest Big 12 conference title odds, the Oklahoma Sooners are a slight favorite to win the conference championship for the sixth year in a row, while the Texas Longhorns are not that far away with the second-best odds. SportsBetting.Ag has Oklahoma the Big 12 favorites at -125 with 4/5 odds and Texas coming in at +140 with 7/5 odds. Has Texas finally closed the gap?
If Oklahoma football doesn’t win the Big 12, it should be Texas football.
It will be one of the strangest college football seasons of our lifetimes. Though the Big 12 will play its typical nine-game, round-robin allotment in conference play, the 10 member institutions will be asked to play a 10th non-conference game before Big 12 play commences at the end of September. Here are the latest Big 12 title odds for all 10 teams. Who is worth wagering on?
2020 Big 12 Conference Championship odds
- Oklahoma Sooners: -125 (4/5)
- Texas Longhorns: +140 (7/5)
- Oklahoma State Cowboys: +750 (15/2)
- Iowa State Cyclones: +1200 (12/1)
- TCU Horned Frogs: +2000 (20/1)
- Baylor Bears: +2500 (25/1)
- West Virginia Mountaineers: +2500 (25/1)
- Kansas State Wildcats: +3300 (33/1)
- Texas Tech Red Raiders: +6600 (66/1)
- Kansas Jayhawks: +10000 (100/1)
Even though there is a decent-sized gap between Texas at No. 2 and the other eight Big 12 programs behind the Longhorns, there are three other teams with +2000 or better odds to win the Big 12. The Oklahoma State Cowboys come in at +750 with 15/2 odds, the Iowa State Cyclones are at +1200 with 12/1 odds and the TCU Horned Frogs sit at +2000 with 20/1 odds.
It is interesting that the TCU is seen as a top-half team in the Big 12 this year. Though the Horned Frogs lost a good bit of talent to the 2020 NFL Draft, they did end up winning the Zachary Evans sweepstakes, who could be the best running back to grace Amon G. Carter Stadium since the legendary tailback known as LaDainian Tomlinson. Keep an eye on TCU this year as a dark horse.
As for the two other serious Big 12 title contenders, there is reason to be high on both Oklahoma State and Iowa State. The Pokes’ offensive trio of quarterback Spencer Sanders, running back Chuba Hubbard and wide receiver Tylan Wallace is among the best in the country. However, head coach Mike Gundy’s inability to win in the Bedlam Series is why the Pokes should never be trusted.
As for Matt Campbell’s Iowa State team, eventually, the Cyclones will get to Arlington and play for a Big 12 conference championship, as long as Campbell doesn’t leave for the NFL or a more prestigious Power 5 job. With Brock Purdy at quarterback and a tough defensive-minded culture, Iowa State is certainly capable of beating two of the three teams ahead of them twice this year.
But let’s be real for a second. If we don’t get a Red River Rivalry rematch in the Big 12 Conference Championship game, we’re going to be disappointed. Oklahoma has become a staple in Arlington, while Texas has at times shown it’s thinking about coming back with Sam Ehlinger as its quarterback and Tom Herman as its head coach. If Texas wins the Big 12, the Longhorns are back.
Oddsmakers suggest if Oklahoma doesn’t win the Big 12, it will be Texas who proves victorious.
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