The Big 12 will feature the usual suspects at the top with others trying to climb the mountain to relevancy. Lincoln Riley is hyping the conference up by saying Georgia would not be as good if the Bulldogs had to run through their gauntlet. All I know is that this conference is the home of very good offenses, non-existent defenses and the highest totals you will see for any game.

This article will give you my thoughts and in some cases predictions as to how each team will do against the win total provided by the South Point sports book in Las Vegas. A lot of times this outlet will provide really strong numbers so there will be no lean.

Big 12

Baylor Bears

Big 12  Over 6 wins -105…Under 6 wins -115

Non-Conference Games: Abilene Christian, at UTSA, Duke

Baylor had a horrendous debut under new head coach Matt Rhule, with its only victory coming against lowly Kansas and losing to FBS transitional member Liberty. The team returns 11 starters and figures to improve in the win column. The offensive and defensive lines will be very strong. These Bears won’t approach the Baylor offenses of the past, but they will be a stronger defense. They get Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia on the road.

OTL SAYS: Improvement will be coming for Baylor, but still no bowl eligibility. I have them at 5 wins this season.

Iowa State Cyclones

Big 12  Over 6.5 wins -120…Under 6.5 wins EVEN

Non-Conference Games: South Dakota State, at Iowa, Akron

Iowa State has some real toss-up games early this season. FCS opponent South Dakota State is usually tricky and a road trip to Iowa is real tough. Kyle Kempt and David Montgomery figure to be a strong QB-RB combo on offense. The defense lost four of its top seven tacklers. The Cyclones draw Oklahoma and West Virginia at home so they could have a say in which teams wins the Big-12. Ames has been a tough place to play in the past.

OTL SAYS: 6-7 wins are what I come up with for ISU. You can decide this total by figuring out how the Oklahoma, West Virginia and Kansas State home games go.

Kansas Jayhawks

Big 12  Over 3 wins -110…Under 3 wins -110

Non-Conference Games: Nicholls State, at Central Michigan, Rutgers

Vegas is expecting the Jayhawks to equal their win total over the past three seasons with this number. But they’ve won just two conference games total since 2014 so I have a hard time taking the optimistic view. Their best shot at a conference win could be against Iowa State on Nov. 3. KU returns 15 starters on both sides of the ball, but does it really matter? The game against Rutgers will be fascinating to watch

OTL SAYS: 2-3 wins are what I come up with and that’s if you think the Jayhawks lose at Central Michigan, which could happen. The under is worth a look.

Kansas State Wildcats

Big 12  Over 6 wins -110…Under 6 wins -110

Non-Conference Games: South Dakota, Mississippi State, UTSA

The Wildcats have five of their first seven games at home before their bye. Bill Snyder’s offense has seven starters back and some intriguing pieces to move around. Eleven of their top 17 tacklers return as well, making the defense a potential strength. We’ll see if they can turn around their lack of luck last year with four losses by seven points or fewer. Outside of back-to-back road games against Oklahoma and TCU in late October, this schedule lines up beautifully.

OTL SAYS: The over is worth a look here especially if Kansas State can steal a road game or two in conference.

Oklahoma Sooners

Big 12  Over 10 wins -115…Under 10 wins -105

Non-Conference Games: FAU, UCLA, Army

OU plays just four true road games this season and has the firepower to make big-time noise in college football. Kyler Murray decided to stay in school even though he was taken in the first round of the MLB draft by Oakland. Rodney Anderson leads a solid group of running backs while the team also brings back five starters on defense. Lincoln Riley is going to do big things once again with the offense while the defense just needs to make a stop or two.

OTL SAYS: 10 wins is pretty safe with a small lean to the over. There are not a ton of tough games on this slate.

Oklahoma City Cowboys

Big 12  Over 8 wins -120…Under 8 wins EVEN

Non-Conference Games: Missouri State, South Alabama, Boise State

The Cowboys have some big shoes to fill at key positions. Luckily for them, the season starts with four straight at home against mostly poor opponents (with the exception of Boise State). OSU figures to rely heavily on running back Justice Hill, who will be working with a rebuilt offensive line. The defense will need to improve because last year’s offense was able to carry the team. This will be an interesting year for Mike Gundy.

OTL SAYS: 8 is a good number here. If you think Oklahoma State loses the game at home against West Virginia then you probably lean to the under.

TCU Horned Frogs

Big 12  Over 7.5 wins +105…Under 7.5 wins -125

Non-Conference Games: Southern, at SMU, vs. Ohio State

The Horned Frogs have just two true home games in the first month of the season. Gary Patterson is going to have a new quarterback running things with Kenny Hill gone. Whoever wins the job will have a solid group of skill position guys to help out. The defense is going to be strong as usual and some times that will be the separator in a conference that doesn’t feature that many

OTL SAYS: Once again a pretty solid number here as I come up with 7-8 victories for TCU.

Texas Longhorns

Big 12 Over 8.5 wins -110…Under 8.5 wins -110

Non-Conference Games: vs. Maryland, Tulsa, USC

Quarterback play will once again determine this team’s future. Whether it’s Sam Ehlinger or Shane Buechele, there has to be some sort of improvement. The offensive line is pretty strong while the defense is going to get after the quarterback. The team has three road games over their last five weeks of the season including trips to Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. The USC game could be a big swing contest for the win total and the season in general.

OTL SAYS: 8-9 wins seems about right. It comes down to how you think these Longhorns will do against USC and Texas Tech.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Big 12  Over 6 wins -110…Under 6 wins -110

Non-Conference Games: vs. Ole Miss, Lamar, Houston

Texas Tech’s defense could be an underrated group with nine starters back. And that unit may have to carry the load early with a few questions on offense. The offensive line is intact, but quarterback and some of the skill players are up in the air. The Red Raiders play just four true road games with neutral-site matchups taking place in Arlington (vs. Ole Miss) and Houston (vs. Baylor). One scheduling quirk is that three straight opponents will be coming off their bye week to take on Texas Tech.

OTL SAYS: 5-6 wins are what I come up with. I lean to the under though as they may lose to Oklahoma and Texas at home.

West Virginia Mountaineers

Big 12 Over 7 wins -110…Under 7 wins -110

Non-Conference Games: vs. Tennessee, Youngstown State, at NC State

Dana Holgorsen’s offense is going to be spectacular this year with Will Grier likely factoring into the Heisman race. David Sills and Gary Jennings form one of the best WR duos in the country. The offensive line is pretty much intact from last season as well. The big question mark as usual with WVU is with it defense. Only four starters return, but Tony Gibson is a pretty good coordinator. The team pretty much alternates home and road games all season long.

OTL SAYS: I know it’s getting repetitive but this is another strong number. If you think the Mountaineers can steal a tough road game (i.e, NC State, Iowa State, Texas or Oklahoma State), the over is worth a look.