Top Games

BYU at SMU

Friday, Sept. 6
4:00 pm PT, ESPN2

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: SMU -11.5

What’s at Stake: SMU bounced back after struggling against Nevada in Week 0 and now faces a BYU team it is expected to beat.

The Big 12 is 1-0 against the ACC so far this season, setting the table for the Conference to extend the gap.

A Cougar win would signal the emergence of the program in its second year in the league.

Why BYU Wins: The Cougars show what a one-year head start in a Power Conference looks like by winning the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Why SMU Wins: The Mustang offense uses tempo to get into rhythm early in the first half and the defense consistently gets off the field on third downs.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: BYU 
Straight Up: SMU

No. 17 Kansas State at Tulane

Saturday, Sept. 7
9:00 am PT, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Kansas State -9.5

What’s at Stake: One of the favorites to win the Big 12 goes on the road against a non-Power Conference opponent.

Tulane lost its head coach over the offseason and is in a rebuild.

A defeat to the Green Wave would be a hit to the Big 12’s reputation.

Why Kansas State Wins: The Wildcats get their run game going early and create chunk plays in the passing game due in part to Avery Johnson’s threat to run.

Why Tulane Wins: The Green Wave’s defense keeps DJ Giddens contained while getting consistent pressure on Johnson throughout the day.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: Kansas State
Straight Up: Kansas State

Iowa State at Iowa

Saturday, Sept. 7
12:30 pm PT, CBS

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Iowa -3.5

What’s at Stake: The Cy-Hawk Trophy is on the line as the two in-state rivals face off for the 71st time in history.

Iowa leads the series 47-23 and has won seven of the last eight.

Three of the last four matchups have been decided by a touchdown or less, though.

Why Iowa State Wins: The Cyclones convert their drives into points and don’t let Iowa dominate the time of possession.

Why Iowa Wins: The Hawkeye defense comes up with pivotal stops on third down throughout the game while the Iowa special teams help it win the field position battle.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: Iowa
Straight Up: Iowa

No. 19 Kansas at Illinois

Saturday, Sept. 7
4:00 pm PT, FS1

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Kansas -5.5

What’s at Stake: The Big 12’s reputation is on the line when Kansas heads to Illinois.

The Jayhawks are considered one of the top teams in the league while the Illini were picked to finish 13th in the Big Ten Preseason Media Poll.

A defeat could hurt the Big 12’s chances of getting multiple teams into the Playoff.

Why Kansas Wins: The Jayhawks’ offensive line creates the forward push needed for running back Devin Neal to have an efficient day on the ground.

Why Illinois Wins: The Illini front seven prevents third-and-short opportunities and its secondary generates a pivotal interception or two.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: Kansas
Straight Up: Kansas

Texas Tech at Washington State

Saturday, Sept. 7
7:00 pm PT, Fox

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Washington State -2.5

What’s at Stake: The Red Raiders embarrassed themselves in the opener and are looking to make amends.

It’s never easy to play in Pullman and Washington State is aiming to make a statement against a Power Conference opponent.

It’s a game that has deep meaning after Wazzu was left out of the last round of realignment.

Why Texas Tech Wins: The Texas Tech defense gets pressure on quarterback John Mateer to force poor throws and its run defense wins the line of scrimmage.

Why Washington State Wins: Ben Arbuckle’s scheme provides the open space needed for the passing game to get going with pivotal yards after catch and the WSU offensive line allows Mateer to make the correct pass.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: Texas Tech
Straight Up: Texas Tech

Northern Arizona at No. 20 Arizona

Saturday, Sept. 7
7:00 pm PT, ESPN+

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Arizona -28

What’s at Stake: Duane Akina’s defense is nowhere near where it should be.

Arizona was projected by some to compete for a Big 12 championship, and after Week One, the Cats looked like they would struggle against the league’s top teams.

Nothing less than an elite performance by the UA defense will change that narrative.

Why Northern Arizona Wins: The Lumberjacks win the time of possession margin to severely limit Arizona’s number of offensive possessions.

Why Arizona Wins: The Wildcats’ defense plays with something to prove, resulting in numerous forced punts in the first half that are converted into touchdown drives.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: Arizona
Straight Up: Arizona

Mississippi State at Arizona State

Saturday, Sept. 7
7:30 pm PT, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Arizona State -5.5

What’s at Stake: The Sun Devils have never beaten a team from the SEC Conference.

Kenny Dillingham’s squad looked strong in the opener and can exponentially multiply the program’s momentum with a victory.

A win over Mississippi State might be enough to get ASU ranked in the AP Top 25.

Why Mississippi State Wins: The Bulldogs’ defensive line disrupts Cam Skattebo in the backfield while making Sam Leavitt uncomfortable enough to miss throws.

Why Arizona State Wins: The home crowd provides the energy on defense that results in violent hits, third-down stops, and forced turnovers.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: Mississippi State
Straight Up: Mississippi State

Best Bets

Arkansas at No. 16 Oklahoma State

Saturday, Sept. 7
9:00 am PT, ABC

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Oklahoma State -7.5

What’s at Stake: Oklahoma State’s chances of receiving an at-large bid to the Playoffs would take a hit if it can’t beat Arkansas.

The Razorbacks were picked to finish 14th in the SEC and are a team the Pokes should handle.

If anything, the matchup provides OK State with the opportunity to make a statement.

Why Arkansas Wins: The Razorbacks keep Ollie Gordon under wraps and force Oklahoma State to beat them with Alan Bowman’s arm.

Why Oklahoma State Wins: The Cowboys’ wide receivers create separation to win their one-on-one battles and exploit open space in the middle of the field.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: Oklahoma State
Straight Up: Oklahoma State

Baylor at No. 11 Utah

Saturday, Sept. 7
12:30 pm PT, Fox

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Utah -15

What’s at Stake: Plenty of doubters remain unconvinced about the strength of Utah’s program.

A significant percentage of the Big 12 fanbases think the Utes are a paper tiger and are not nearly as strong as they purport to be.

A blowout over Baylor would start to fix those perceptions.

Why Baylor Wins: The Bears’ offensive line provides the time needed for plays to develop while the Baylor front seven contains Cam Rising when he scrambles.

Why Utah Wins: The combination of elite offensive play-calling from Andy Ludwig and Rising’s ability to extend plays with his legs results in sustained drives and chunk plays through the air.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: Utah
Straight Up: Utah

Colorado at Nebraska

Saturday, Sept. 7
4:30 pm PT, NBC

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Nebraska -7.5

What’s at Stake: The nation will be watching when Colorado takes on Nebraska in Lincoln.

The Cornhuskers are one of College Football’s most historic programs and the Buffaloes are a major draw.

The narrative of CU Football under Coach Prime hangs in the balance.

Why Colorado Wins: The improved offensive line provides the time Sanders needs to get the ball to his elite wide receivers and the Buffaloes’ defense rattles true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola with pressure.

Why Nebraska Wins: The Cornhuskers shut down Colorado’s run game and force CU to be one-dimensional through the air while getting hits on Sanders.

—My Picks—
Against Spread: Colorado
Straight Up: Colorado

Dane Miller’s Big 12 Game Picks

2024 Week 2 Big 12 Games	Straight-Up Picks
BYU at SMU Sept 6, 4:00 pm PT	SMU
No. 17 Kansas State at Tulane Sept 7, 9:00 am PT	Kansas State
Iowa State at Iowa Sept 7, 12:30 pm PT	Iowa
No. 19 Kansas at Illinois Sept 7, 4:00 pm PT	Kansas
Texas Tech at Washington State Sept 7, 7:00 pm PT	Texas Tech
Northern Arizona at No. 20 Arizona Sept 7, 7:00 pm PT	Arizona
Mississippi State at Arizona State Sept 7, 7:30 pm PT	Mississippi State
Arkansas at No. 16 Oklahoma State Sept 7, 9:00 am PT	Oklahoma State
Baylor at No. 11 Utah Sept 7, 4:00 pm PT	Utah
Colorado at Nebraska Sept 7, 4:30 pm PT	Colorado
Miller’s Overall Big 12 Record	10-0 (100%)