Oct 15, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throws during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
I hate to brag (actually, no I don’t), but the CW Big 12 picks are 9-3 combined in the last three weeks. Are you ready to get on board yet?
What in the world is taking you so long?
Let’s get after it in week nine.
Against the spread record on the year: 27-21
TCU (-7.5) at West Virginia — Over the last five weeks, the unbeaten Horned Frogs have gone to SMU, vs. Oklahoma, at Kansas, vs. Oklahoma State and vs. Kansas State. Now, a cross-country trip to Morgantown is on tap. Technically, it’s the Big 12’s best team vs. one of the two or three worst. I still don’t think there is that large of a gap. The 11 a.m. kick favors TCU here, but I am betting on an enthusiastic West Virginia team showing up to potentially play for the job of its head coach.
THE PICK: TCU 35, West Virginia 31
Oklahoma (-1) at Iowa State — I despise picking this game for so many reasons. The fact that both teams are coming off of a bye is interesting. Oklahoma with Dillon Gabriel is a totally different team. The Texas game can essentially be thrown out the window. As tough as it has been so far, Brent Venables isn’t an idiot when it comes to defensive football. The Sooners have likely made some adjustments over the week off. I also think the 11 a.m. kick generally favors the road team. I can’t imagine Ames will be as nuts as it would be in the afternoon or night. But Iowa State has been so damn close so many times this year. It’s a team with an elite defense that is clearly better than its 0-4 Big 12 record indicates. In a toss-up game, I’ll reluctantly take the good guys. I’m looking forward to seeing a healthy Cyclone offense for the first time in a long time.
THE PICK: Iowa State 31, Oklahoma 27
Oklahoma State at Kansas State (-1.5) — The story of this game is on the injury front, where both sides are expected to be without key starters. It feels more significant on the Kansas State side though, with backup quarterback Will Howard currently projected to start. Mike Gundy just wins these types of games. Oklahoma State has covered in its last 10 road games. I think their roster is deeper. Oklahoma State has been vulnerable on defense, but Kansas State isn’t exactly the most exotic offense in the country.
THE PICK: Oklahoma State 31, Kansas State 24
Baylor at Texas Tech (-2.5) — I have no idea here. It feels like Texas Tech might be an improving, hot Big 12 in the second half of the season. Having said that, should we really take too much from a single home win vs. West Virginia?
THE PICK: Baylor 38, Texas Tech 35
