Big 12: All Pokes Staff Big 12 ATS Picks for Week 8
The Oklahoma State Cowboys are on the road again after two straight games in Stillwater. Now, they've got a chance to win their third straight game as an underdog while taking on the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown.
With that, there's plenty of action across the Big 12. Here is how the All Pokes staff picked the conference action against the spread this weekend.
Oklahoma State vs. West Virginia (-3.5)
Nick Friesen: Oklahoma State is looking to keep it rolling on offense. Alan Bowman and company scored over 30 points for the first time this season and will look to do the same against the Mountaineers defense. If Ollie Gordon gets going, OSU will cover easily. OSU +3.5
Ivan White: The Cowboys and Mountaineers are starting to trend in opposite directions. OSU uses that to its advantage and gets an important conference road win. OSU +3.5
Kade Kimble: The Cowboys will ride their momentum on the offensive side of the ball to take down the Mountaineers in Morgantown. OSU +3.5
UCF at Oklahoma (-17.5)
Nick: Oklahoma is coming off a bye week after prevailing over Texas two weeks ago. Dillon Gabriel has been amazing for the Sooners. He's completed 72% of his passes for 16 touchdowns this season. UCF has been in some close games this season, but they haven't been able to get wins in those games. With OU off the bye week, the Sooners have had plenty of time to prepare for the Knights. OU -17.5
Ivan: The Sooners and Knights are in very different spots midway through the season. At home, OU will continue its quest toward a playoff berth with a blowout against UCF. OU -17.5
Kade: There's a very, very off chance that UCF's speed bothers Oklahoma just a little bit, but it's hard to imagine the Sooners don't just steamroll this game. OU -17.5
Baylor at Cincinnati (-3.5)
Nick: This game is going to be a close one as both teams have been inconsistent on offense this season. Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen did return from his injury, but he hasn't been the same. The Bearcats defense will be huge in this game. If Cincinnati's front seven on defense can get to Shapen and cause problems, the Bearcats will cover this one. Cincinnati -3.5
Ivan: Both of these teams will be clawing their way toward bowl eligibility but probably won’t get there. Still, this should be an exciting game with Baylor narrowly beating Cincinnati. Baylor +3.5
Kade: Newcomers haven't fared well against established Big 12 teams, and that'll continue as Baylor upsets Cincinnati on the road. Baylor +3.5
Texas (-23.5) at Houston
Nick: Texas is coming off a bye week as well and is looking to respond in a big way. The Longhorns have struggled in games after facing Oklahoma in the previous game. Texas will win this one, but Houston won't just roll over and give it to them. Houston +23.5
Ivan: Texas is coming off a heartbreaking loss to OU, and playing Houston will help its morale. But the Longhorns fail to cover in a big win on the road. Houston +23.5
Kade: Coming off a loss to OU before their bye week, Texas has something to prove, and they'll do that by beating Houston in a blowout. Texas -23.5
Texas Tech (-3) at BYU
Nick: This is a huge game for both teams in the conference. Texas Tech is still trying to figure out what its identity is as a team. BYU started out hot but got embarrassed by TCU last week. BYU is always a tough place to play, so I think BYU will take this one. BYU +3
Ivan: Once a flashy pick to make some noise in the Big 12, the Red Raiders desperately need a win against BYU. It won’t be easy, but Texas Tech wins by a touchdown. Texas Tech -3
Kade: This one will likely be close, but Texas Tech needs to come away with the win over BYU. Again, newcomers have struggled against established Big 12 teams. Texas Tech -3
TCU at Kansas State (-6.5)
Nick: Kansas State looked really great last week against Texas Tech. TCU looked even better against BYU. Both teams are trying to prove they are still a top team in the Big 12. Since Kansas State is at home and it's a night game, the Wildcats will take this one. Kansas State -6.5
Ivan: A rematch of the 2022 Big 12 title game ends with the same team on top. Although TCU had a big win over BYU last week, Kansas State hasn’t lost a home game this season and pulls away in the second half. Kansas State -6.5
Kade: Kansas State got the bounceback win they needed, but TCU is also coming off a big week. I like the Horned Frogs to backdoor cover in this one. TCU +6.5
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Kade has been covering a wide variety of teams ranging from the NFL to the NBA and college athletics since joining Sports Illustrated's On SI in 2022