2013 Big 12 Football Picks and Predictions – Odds to Win Big 12 Championship 2013: It was a year of surprises in the Big 12 conference in 2012. Oklahoma opened the year as the conference favorite and one of the favorites to win the national title, but the Sooners’ three-loss campaign left the both titles up for grabs. West Virginia and quarterback Geno Smith looked like early favorites to capitalize, but a promising start ended in a disappointing 7-6 record. Instead, Collin Klein and the Kansas State Wildcats powered their way to the Big 12 title and an eventual BCS berth. With Klein, Smith and Oklahoma QB Landry Jones all departing, the Big 12 could be wide open once again this year. With that in mind, here is a closer look at how the conference stacks up heading into the 2013 college football season.
The Favorites
Although the national title buzz surrounding the Oklahoma Sooners last year never amounted to much, Bob Stoops’ bunch did go 8-1 in conference play. This year’s team features one of the top offensive lines in the country, a stable of capable running backs and plenty of talent at the wide receiver spot. However, the dependable arm of quarterback Landry Jones, and Blake Bell will have to become more than just a red zone rusher. Still, there is enough talent returning for an offense that averaged more than 40 points per game to keep the Sooners at or near the top of the Big 12 yet again.
Despite injuries to three different quarterbacks in 2012, the Oklahoma State Cowboys still managed to lead the Big 12 in scoring at more than 44 points per game. Coach Mike Gundy’s offensive system is legit, and with stud slot specialist Josh Stewart leading an explosive group of receivers, this year’s team should continue to pile up a ton of points. Granted, starting running back Joseph Randle left for the NFL, but with seven starters returning on both sides of the ball, OSU has the talent and experience to reclaim bragging rights in the Big 12.
The Dark Horses
Although the Texas Longhorns are still trying to recapture the magic that helped their program become one of the dominant powers in college football from 2005 to 2009, they did take a step in the right direction last year. Meanwhile, the 2013 squad features 19 returning starters, including 10 on the offensive side of the ball. Consistency from quarterback David Ash will go a long to bringing the Longhorns a Big 12 title, but if they actually play up to their potential on both sides of the ball instead of underachieving, there is no reason Mack Brown’s bunch can’t be conference champs.
The system that helped Robert Griffin III win the Heisman Trophy has continued to make the Baylor Bears an offensive juggernaut, and last season, they ranked second in the conference in scoring at 44.1 points per game. Of course, Baylor also had the worst defense in the Big 12 last year, but as the Bears showed in their upset of eventual conference champion Kansas State, an explosive offensive can overwhelm any opponent. Speedy running back Lache Seastrunk figures to be the main weapon for this year’s unit, and he has the talent to make a Heisman run and help the Bears make a run at the conference crown.
The Sleeper
Their first year in the Big 12 yielded mixed results for the TCU Horned Frogs, but with several star players back for a defense that allowed the fewest yards and second-fewest points in the conference last year, they won’t make life easy on opponents. Defensive end Devante Fields had double-digit sacks as a true freshman last year, and cornerback Jason Verrett might be the best in the country. Meanwhile, the offense should improve thanks to the return of suspended quarterback Casey Pachall, and if the Horned Frogs can put points on the board to go along with their stingy defense, a Big 12 title run isn’t out of the question.
2013 NCAA Conference Odds – Big 12 Conference
Odds to win the Big 12 Conference – 2013 College Football
1041 Baylor +1200
1042 Iowa State +2000
1043 Kansas +5000
1044 Kansas State +2000
1045 Oklahoma +250
1046 Oklahoma State +250
1047 TCU +500
1048 Texas +200
1049 Texas Tech +1500
1050 West Virginia +2500
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