Big 12 Week 1 Picks

The season is finally here. Tonight is the start of College Football and we have our first picks for the season with the Big 12 Conference.

There are some dog games to start the season, but a few gems if you look close enough at the Big 12 slate.

Friday, August 30th

Texas Tech (-6) at SMU 7 pm CST, ESPN

The Red Raiders will struggle early on, but the jitters will be calmed and whichever freshman at quarterback will be helped by a strong ground game from Tech and Jace Amaro will help turn the tide after serving his first half suspension.

Texas Tech 31 SMU 24

North Dakota State at Kansas State (No line) 7:30 pm CST, FS1

K-State will have a new quarterback among a plethora of new starters on the offense and defensive side of the ball. The Wildcats may struggle with this FCS powerhouse, but Bill Snyder is still in Manhattan as Head Coach and he’ll reload K-State again for another good season.

Kansas State 41 North Dakota State 21

Saturday, August 31^st

William and Mary at West Virginia (No line) 11 am CST, FS1

Dana Holgerson in his third season in Morgantown are looking to replace Geno Smith, Tavon Austin, and Stedman Bailey. The defense will be atrocious again this season, but the Mountaineers won’t struggle in this one.

West Virginia 52 William and Mary 17

Mississippi State vs. Oklahoma State (-13) 2:30 CST, ABC

This could be a great stepping stone game for Oklahoma State or a disaster. Mississippi State may not be highly regarded in the SEC, but they could take down the presumptive Big 12 Champs being more physical than the Cowboys. OSU has a new Offensive and Defensive Coordinator and the Cowboys aren’t as strong as Big 12 media believes. Take the Bulldogs with the points.

Oklahoma State 27 Mississippi State 20

Louisiana Monroe at Oklahoma (-21) 6 pm CST, FSN PPV

Trevor Knight will start for the Sooners Saturday against the Warhawks in what seems like a good matchup, but this game will be over by halftime. The OU defense will smother ULM early and often.

Oklahoma 52 ULM 20

Wofford at Baylor (No Line) 6:30 pm CST, FSN

Lache Seastrunk will have 100 yards by the end of the first quarter and Brice Petty will look efficient in this expected blowout for Baylor. Bears win big.

Baylor 59 Wofford 14

New Mexico State at Texas (-42) 7 pm, Longhorn Network

Texas is a 42-point favorite over the Aggies of New Mexico State. This game benefits NMSU financially and gives them a neat trip to the "Live Music Capital of the World", but that is all. Texas should run away with this game, but take the Aggies with points in this game.

Texas 52 New Mexico State 14

Northern Iowa at Iowa State (No Line) 7 pm CST

Iowa State could be in for a long season replacing key components of their defensive front seven and a new quarterback under center. Historically this a team the Cyclones struggle with and could go down to the wire.

Iowa State 31 Northern Iowa 28

LSU (-4) vs. TCU 8 pm CST, ESPN

This game is the marquee matchup in the opening weekend of Big 12 games on paper. The Frogs have high expectations coming into this season and look to make their spot among the Big 12 elite with a win over the Tigers. LSU hasn't put together a decent offense the past few seasons and will struggle with TCU.

LSU 20 TCU 10