From Oklahoma to Texas to upstart Iowa State, we’re betting the over/under lines on the Big 12 win totals for the 2021 college football season.
Don’t cry because it’ll be over soon; smile because it happened. That’s probably what the Big 12 is trying to tell themselves about the imminent departure of the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns for the SEC. But for the 2021 college football season, the two most storied programs in the conference remain in place, albeit on different paths.
Oklahoma enters the year as not just the favorite to win the Big 12 but to take home a National Championship. Meanwhile, Texas has a new head coach and finds itself decisively in the middle of the pack of the conference with a bevy of other teams seemingly on the same level.
So as we look at the Big 12 win total lines for the upcoming college football season, how will things play out in the conference? We have over/under predictions and bets for every team in the league. (Note: All odds and lines are courtesy of WynnBet.)
Big 12 win total over/under bets for the 2021 college football season
Oklahoma – 11.0 wins – Prediction: Over
Truth be told, the actual answer here for a prediction would be that this bet pushes. However, I’m in the camp that Oklahoma is the best team in college football this season, especially if both Spencer Rattler and the defense take steps forward. For that reason, going undefeated seems more likely than losing two regular-season contests.
Iowa State – 9.5 wins – Prediction: Under
After the Cyclones went 9-3 last season, knocked off Oklahoma in the first of two meetings and now bring back their entire core, there are high expectations for Iowa State. But this is a program that has legitimately never won 10 games and, with a quality conference to run through, I don’t see them getting past 9-3 again.
Oklahoma State – 7.5 wins – Prediction: Over
Replacing Tylan Wallace will be hard but Mike Gundy’s team found a spark in the run game at the end of last year to help ease the blow of losing Chuba Hubbard. More importantly, this is one of the best defenses in the Big 12 coupled with the possibility of Spencer Sanders both taking a step forward and staying healthy.
TCU – 7.5 wins – Prediction: Over
Part of my belief in the Horned Frogs is due to my belief in Max Duggan. He’s flashed talent but was always going to be a developmental project, something that I think we’ll see take shape in the 2021 season. Throw in a solid defense and the Gary Patterson factor and eight wins is very much in the cards.
Texas – 7.5 wins – Prediction: Under
Not only is a new coaching staff trying to leave their thumbprint on the Longhorns but they also have a quarterback competition that, frankly, doesn’t seem to be yielding overwhelming results. Texas can get back eventually under Sark but the start to his tenure isn’t likely to be all that favorable.
West Virginia – 7.0 wins – Prediction: Over
Head coach Neal Brown took Troy from being 4-8 in his first season to 11-2 by his third year and this is now year three at West Virginia. Jarret Doeg showed some good things last season and Brown has coached up the defense well. 7-5 might be the likeliest outcome but I’m willing to bet on the Mountaineers stealing one as opposed to losing one they shouldn’t.
Baylor – 5.5 wins – Prediction: Under
While still not being convinced that Dave Aranda is a high-quality head coach, we know that the Baylor defense is going to play well under him. And there’s a chance that the offense eventually comes around under Jeff Grimes but I’m not convinced it’s this year, which will put them behind in the Big 12.
Kansas State – 5.5 wins – Prediction: Over
Kansas State isn’t going to be a world-beater by any means but they are a better team than they showed in 2020, specifically because quarterback Skylar Thompson is back and healthy. With Thompson and the explosive Deuce Vaughn, I can’t see the Wildcats missing a bowl game.
Texas Tech – 5.0 wins – Prediction: Under
The Red Raiders finishing 5-7 is the most likely outcome but, if we’re picking a side, I’m leaning towards the under. Tyler Shough was far from impressive while at Oregon and Matt Wells has delivered similar results since coming to Lubbock. That doesn’t seem like a formula to produce too many wins.
Kansas – 1.5 wins – Prediction: Under
Good news, Jayhawks fans: I don’t think Kansas is going winless in the 2021 season. The bad news is that the non-conference meeting with South Dakota is likely to be their only win. Lance Leipold is the perfect hire for the program but he got a late start to be able to work any magic just yet.
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