Colorado at Arizona

Saturday, October 19
1:00 pm PT, FOX

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Arizona -3

What’s at Stake: Arizona’s season is on the brink of falling apart.

Expectations have not been met and a loss to Colorado at home could cause the fanbase to completely turn on Brent Brennan. It’s Homecoming and a day game in Tucson.

Both of those factors historically play to the Wildcats’ advantage.

Why Colorado Wins: The CU offensive line provides the time needed for Shedeur Sanders to make throws and the receivers carve up Arizona’s depleted secondary.

Why Arizona Wins: Defensive coordinator Duane Akina finds ways to get pressure on Sanders, the secondary prevents the Colorado receivers from breaking tackles, and the offense has success in the air.

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

Baylor at Texas Tech

Saturday, October 19
1:00 pm PT, ESPN2

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Texas Tech -6.5

What’s at Stake: Texas Tech is on a four-game winning streak and hosts in-state rival Baylor.

The Bears have lost three straight and don’t have a victory over a Power Conference opponent.

Texas Tech can boost its Playoff resume with a convincing win.

Why Baylor Wins: The defense contains the Red Raiders’ rushing offense and Sawyer Robertson makes plays running the ball.

Why Texas Tech Wins: The offensive line establishes the ground game and the defense prevents Baylor from converting short-yardage run plays.

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

No. 17 Kansas State at West Virginia

Saturday, October 19
4:30 pm PT, FOX

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Kansas State -3

What’s at Stake: Kansas State is in position to contend for the Playoff.

Sitting at 2-1 in Conference play, the path to the Big 12 Championship Game is easier if the Wildcats beat West Virginia.

The Mountaineers need a signature win on the season and the matchup provides the opportunity.

Why Kansas State Wins: The lines on both sides of the ball win the physicality battle, Avery Johnson is smart with the ball, and the defense reasonably contains WVU’s rushing attack.

Why West Virginia Wins: The run game is established early, the receivers make plays in space after catching the ball, and the defense prevents Johnson from scampering for first downs.

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

Best Bets

Oklahoma State at No. 13 BYU

Friday, October 18
7:15 pm PT, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: BYU -9.5

What’s at Stake: Oklahoma State is at risk of getting embarrassed.

The Pokes have three straight losses and arguably face their toughest opponent to date.

And coming off a bye week with questions around the starting quarterback, the circumstances are less than ideal.

Why Oklahoma State Wins: The OKST offensive line holds steady against BYU’s front, the quarterback doesn’t throw interceptions, and the defense wins the turnover margin.

Why BYU Wins: The Cougars’ front seven gets consistent pressure into the backfield to speed up decision-making, the secondary makes plays, and quarterback Jake Retzlaff extends plays with his legs.

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

Arizona State at Cincinnati

Saturday, October 19
9:00 am PT, ESPN+

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Cincinnati -5.5

What’s at Stake: Searching for its first road Conference win in the Big 12 era, Arizona State heads to Ohio without the services of its starting quarterback.

Cincinnati has two losses by a combined four points and is confident after beating UCF in Orlando.

A Bearcats’ victory would be another message to the rest of the league.

Why Arizona State Wins: Backup quarterback Jeff Sims executes his passes with efficiency, the offensive game plan focuses on the run, and the defense contains Cincinnati’s potent quarterback-running back duo.

Why Cincinnati Wins: Quarterback Brendan Sorsby operates the offense with the elite efficiency that he’s played with all season, running back Corey Kiner finds space to make plays, and the defense takes away the run to force ASU to beat them through the air.

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

UCF at No. 9 Iowa State

Saturday, October 19
4:30 pm PT, FS1

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Iowa State -13.5

What’s at Stake: Iowa State is the Big 12’s favorite to make the Playoff.

A defeat at home to UCF would be highly damaging. The Knights don’t have the defensive line to win games and their offense is struggling.

A convincing Cyclones win is expected.

Why UCF Wins: The Knights win the turnover margin, convert their red zone trips into touchdowns, and the secondary limits explosive plays in the passing game.

Why Iowa State Wins: The ISU defense wreaks havoc on UCF’s offensive line and the Clones’ O-Line dominates in the trenches.

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

TCU at Utah

Saturday, October 19
7:30 pm PT, ESPN

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Utah -4.5

What’s at Stake: The Cam Rising era at Utah is unofficially over.

Isaac Wilson is now “The Guy” and reports indicate he has the support of the team.

With the injury drama and apparent deceptions out of the way, the Utes might come out looking like an entirely different team.

Why TCU Wins: The defense keeps Wilson from extending plays with his legs and scrambling for positive yards.

Why Utah Wins: Wilson operates the offense with poise under pressure, makes the correct read, and hits his open receivers.

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

Dane Miller’s Big 12 Game Picks

2024 Week 8 Big 12 Games	Straight-Up Picks
Oklahoma State at No. 13 BYU Oct 18, 7:15 pm PT	BYU
Arizona State at Cincinnati Oct 19, 9:00 am PT	Cincinnati
Houston at Kansas Oct 19, 12:30 pm PT	Kansas
Colorado at Arizona Oct 19, 1:00 pm PT	Colorado
Baylor at Texas Tech Oct 19, 1:00 pm PT	Texas Tech
No. 17 Kansas State at West Virginia Oct 19, 4:30 pm PT	Kansas State
UCF at No. 9 Iowa State Oct 19, 4:30 pm PT	Iowa State
TCU at Utah Oct 19, 7:30 pm PT	Utah
Miller’s Overall Big 12 Record	39-18 (68%)

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