#HLSBets 2021 Conference Preview : Big 12
Welcome back to HLS Entertainment and #HLSBets but more importantly, welcome back to college football season. Man I have waited almost seven months exactly to say that. A lot of people say "do not wish the summer away" but all of us college football fans are just begging for the fall to finally be here. College football is the most wonderful season of the year and I have missed it dearly. College football is more than a game on a field, it is one of America's greatest traditions that bring us together as a community.
So what better way to kickoff our 2021 college football coverage then discussing the conference that is currently in shambles. This could be Texas and Oklahoma's last season in the Big 12 and thus the last season of the Big 12. Expect chaos. This list is going to go through the conference team by team showing their 2020 record, their Vegas line win total, and whether or not we should be placing a wager on it.
Kansas
2020 Record: 0-9
2021 Projected Win Total: 1
Bet: Over
It is a single game, and they have two shots at getting at least the push playing South Dakota week 1 at home and playing @ Duke week 4. New head coach Lance Leipold brought a ton from Buffalo and this program is very much so on the road to improvement after the last regime. Plus it is always nice to check off futures early in the season and you will know whether this bet cashes by week 4.
Baylor
2020 Record: 2-7
2021 Projected Win Total: 5.5
Bet: Risky Under
5.5 feels like three games too high. They very easily could start 3-0, then finish 0-9. I understand Dave Aranda is going to make strides in his second year as head coach, but looking at this schedule I just do not see six wins anywhere. It is a great line by Vegas though because Dave Aranda could actually have this team in bowl season with 6 wins but I'll save that for year three.
Texas Tech
2020 Record: 4-6
2021 Projected Win Total: 4.5
Bet: Over
I think this over hits, but it will come down to their final game @ Baylor. The smart move says do not take the over if you think it will go wire to wire. But I personally am taking it. Tyler Shough was not a stud at Oregon but this offense could be the exact thing that he needs to become one.
Kansas State
2020 Record: 4-6
2021 Projected Win Total: 5.5
Bet: Over
I am taking the over, they have three for sure wins and four or so winnable games. I am going to take the gamble with these toss up games. I trust this team to be bowl eligible but will have to fight to get there. Do not be surprised if they mess around and win 8 games.
West Virginia
2020 Record: 6-4
2021 Projected Win Total: 6.5
Bet: Stay away
This team could EASILY lose six games. OR they could win 8, it all comes down to their toss up games. This is another great line by Vegas I am not going to touch it, BUT if you still wanting to then go for the Over.
TCU
2020 Record: 6-4
2021 Projected Win Total: 7.5
Bet: Under
"But Gary Patterson always bounces back" yeah yeah I don't buy it. Be honest, look up and down that schedule and tell me how many sure fire wins for TCU are on that schedule? Respectfully I only see three. The rest... I am taking this under and feeling very comfortable with it.
Texas
2020 Record: 7-3
2021 Projected Win Total: 8
Bet: Under
This team is weird. There is a lot of turnover happening here from players to coaches. This is a volatile time for a program, they could sneak out 10 wins or they could barely become bowl eligible with only 6. I think them repeating 2020 and only getting 7 wins could be possible. This would be an improvement over last seasons only winning 6 regular season games and with a bowl win them getting to 8 would be a good step forward for Sark and the program.
Oklahoma State
2020 Record: 8-3
2021 Projected Win Total: 7.5
Bet: Stay away
With only a shot for 5 for sure wins and too many variables in the toss up games I recommend stay away from this at 7.5. Chuba Hubbard was a guy that I was never that big a fan of but he was undeniably a huge positive for this offense and without him this offense could struggle. The REAL story is how does Mike Gundy sans mullet turn out coaching this team. The man at the helm of this program seems to be getting to the point in his career where it might be best for him to have a change of scenery.
Oklahoma
2020 Record: 9-2
2021 Projected Win Total: 11
Bet: Possible push stay away
This team has what it takes to run the table in the Big 12. With an embarassing out of conference schedule they will need to if they hope for a playoff shot. But their in conference games still have 2-3 actually tough games and it only takes one to ruin this bet, I am staying away. You know Lincoln Riley and crew are scrambling trying to try to figure out how to finally get over the hump and make a real playoff run.
Iowa State
2020 Record: 9-3
2021 Projected Win Total: 9.5
Bet: Under
This team at MOST has 7 guaranteed wins if we assume they are still the same solid team from 2020. But their remaining games are definitely games they could easily lose. Adding the rivalry game back to the schedule with Iowa also might not help their scratching towards 10 wins. This is the bet I would be "happy" to lose, because if this team is actually capable of winning 10 games then they will be incredible games to watch.
Projected Big 12 Championship Game
2020 rematch Oklahoma vs. Iowa State
Oklahoma- Lock Contender
Iowa State- Potential Contender
Heisman Hopefuls
Breece Hall RB Iowa State +4000
Bijan Robinson RB Texas +2000
Spencer Rattler QB Oklahoma +800
Everything in this conference comes down to Iowa State furthering their chase to greatness and Oklahoma's fight to hold onto it, it is lonely on top of the mountain can they hang on. New head coaches and returning staffs trying to turn their programs into winners. I specifically started with the Big 12 because they are easily the conference with the most potential crazy games. High powered offenses and middling teams that could end up with vastly different win totals from 5-10 wins.
Hit me up on twitter @HaroldLStokes and let me know what is your favorite preseason bet for the conference. Be sure to hit my dms and hop on to the #HLSBets bonus sheet early for only $50 for the full REGULAR SEASON. I can not wait for the season to begin, and I know you can't wait either.
