2012 Big 12 Football Conference Odds and Predictions – Favorites and Sleepers

2012 Big 12 Football Conference Odds and Predictions: Favorites and Sleepers – The Big 12 has a lot to be proud of. It is the last conference other than the SEC to win a BCS championship, and last year, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin IIII won the Heisman Trophy. Not to mention the fact that Oklahoma State nearly played for the national title last season, and national powers like Oklahoma and Texas still call the Big 12 home. Despite being one of the top power conferences in the country, four teams have jumped ship the last two years. Yes, the Big 12 to reload to a degree by adding TCU and West Virginia, but the point is that no conference is safe during the current era of realignment. While the future of the Big 12 is not set in stone, the fact remains that several national title contenders still reside there. Here is a look at how one of the top conferences in the country stacks up for the upcoming college football season.

2012 Big 12 Football Conference Odds and Predictions: Favorites and Sleepers

The Favorite – 2012 Big 12 Football Conference Odds and Predictions

After injuries derailed the Oklahoma Sooners last year, the conference’s most consistent powerhouse should be back on top in 2012-13. Quarterback Landry Jones fell apart when Ryan Broyles got hurt last year, but he should go back to putting up his Heisman-caliber numbers with an offseason to gel with receivers Jaz Reynolds and Kenny Stills. In addition, four starters are back on an offensive line that allowed just 11 sacks in nearly 600 pass attempts last season. Dominique Whaley returns from injury, as well, giving balance to what should be one of the top offenses in the country. The defense will be replacing some stars, but Bob Stoops and company have enough firepower on offense to steamroll their way to a conference title.

The Dark Horses – 2012 Big 12 Football Conference Odds and Predictions

After a surprising 10-win season, the Kansas State Wildcats have their sights set on a potential Big 12 title in 2012-13. Quarterback Collin Klein is the centerpiece of the offense and a potential Heisman candidate. He is a human bulldozer and a red zone nightmare for defenses, as illustrated by his 27 rushing touchdowns last year. While it is a luxury to have such a dynamic playmaker, Kansas State is also in serious trouble if anything happens to Klein. The Wildcats will also have to continue to have a ton of success in close games. They went 8-1 in games decided by seven points or less last year, and they just don’t have the defense to put away many teams. There will likely be plenty of nail-biters for Kansas State again this year, but Klein and company have shown they can get the job done in crunch time. Klein’s health will decide the season.

It has been a rough couple of years for the Texas Longhorns, but the former national super power is on the way back. The defense is the best in the conference, with All-American defensive end Alex Okafor leading the front line and hard-hitting safety Kenny Vaccaro doing a little bit of everything. The backfield is also loaded with talented rushers, and the offensive line should be the best it has been in several years. The only real question mark is at the quarterback position where David Ash will try to be the player that finally fills the void left by Colt McCoy. Defense and a strong running attack will give Texas a fighting chance in every game, but whether or not the Longhorns challenge for the Big 12 title depends on the development of Ash.

With their high-scoring, pass-first offense and a mediocre defense, the West Virginia Mountaineers should fit in quite nicely in the Big 12. Star quarterback Geno Smith is back under center, and his top targets Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey return, as well. The trio helped the Mountaineers hang 70 points on Clemson in an Orange Bowl win last year, and the points should keep coming in 2012-13. The question is whether or not a suspect defense can contain the equally high-powered offenses they will face on a weekly basis in the Big 12. Smith and his buddies will be on the winning end of plenty of shootouts, but adjusting to life in new conference will present plenty of hurdles.

The Sleeper – 2012 Big 12 Football Conference Odds and Predictions

After winning the conference title last season and nearly playing for a national title, the Oklahoma State Cowboys will be facing an uphill battle in order to repeat. Quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon were the stars of Mike Gundy’s high-powered, pass-happy offense, but both were first-round draft picks in last April’s draft. Freshman Wes Lunt will get the first crack at replacing Weeden under center, and while Gundy’s offensive system will always put points on the board, more mistakes and fewer big plays are inevitable with a first-year QB. Running back Joseph Randle will help the transition, but an opportunistic but far from stingy defense needs the offense to put points on the board. Still, Gundy is building the Cowboys into a power, and while this might be a bit of a rebuilding year, Oklahoma State is going to be dangerous every single week.

Odds to win the Big 12 Conference
7531 Baylor +5000
7532 Iowa State +6500
7533 Kansas +12500
7534 Kansas State +1000
7535 Oklahoma -125
7536 Oklahoma State +2500
7537 TCU +500
7538 Texas +300
7539 Texas Tech +2800
7540 West Virginia +650

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