NCAA Football odds Favor Sooners in Big 12 South
With the Big 12 losing Nebraska after this season, this looks to be the final year the conference will be split into two divisions. College football odds favor Oklahoma slightly over Texas to take home the last South Division crown, with both the Sooners and Longhorns beginning life without their star quarterbacks from previous seasons. It sets up a huge Red River battle between the rivals on October 2.
The Big 12 South Division is on its last legs. The conference is about to lose two programs: the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who are bolting for the Big Ten in 2011, and the Colorado Buffaloes, who are on their way to the Pacific-10 in 2012. Unless those teams are replaced, the Big 12 will no longer be split into two divisions.
It could have been worse. The Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns ultimately turned down invitations to join the Pac-10, as did three other schools. That would have spelled the end of the Big 12. For now, we get one more season of betting on the South, the seat of power in the conference.
The following six members are ranked by their betting odds for winning the division; we’ll also provide their totals for regular season victories.
Oklahoma Sooners (20/23; 10)
The Sooners don’t have 2008 Heisman winner Sam Bradford at quarterback anymore, but Bradford was injured for almost all of last year, giving freshman Landry Jones (26 TDs, 14 INTs) plenty of burn heading into his second season. Running back DeMarco Murray (4.1 yards per carry, eight TDs) should look better this year with a healthy offensive line, and WR Ryan Broyles (89 catches, 1,120 yards, 15 TDs) could be the best in the country. The defense is solid enough to win the division; the national title at 12-1 might be beyond OU’s grasp.
Texas Longhorns (3/2; 10)
The Longhorns also have a major QB change, with Garrett Gilbert replacing Colt McCoy. Gilbert was thrust into the spotlight during the National Championship Game, looked completely out of his element replacing the injured McCoy, then nearly led Texas to an improbable comeback win.
Gilbert has star potential; he’ll be helped immensely this year by RB Fozzy Whittaker in his return from an injury-plagued 2009. The defense is particularly impressive; at 3-2, Texas is both better on paper and a bigger potential payout than OU.
Texas A&M Aggies (7/1; 7)
It could be feast or famine for the Aggies this year. This team has the shortest odds to unseat Texas or Oklahoma for the South title, but Texas A&M is only established on the offensive side of the ball.
Aggie QB Jerrod Johnson (30 TDs, eight INTs) is outstanding, Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray (15 rushing TDs combined) return at tailback, and the receiving corps is mind-bogglingly good. The defense, on the other hand, is all upside under new coordinator Tim DeRuyter. Definitely worth a look with OU and Nebraska coming to College Station.
Texas Tech Red Raiders (8/1; 8)
Well, this program sure fell apart at the top, but that could be a good thing. Mike Leach is gone, replaced by Tommy Tuberville, the 2004 Coach of the Year with the Auburn Tigers. Tuberville brings in offensive coordinator Neal Brown, under whom the Red Raiders should see a lot more running.
Meanwhile, new defensive coordinator James Willis has a 3-4 scheme that should be on the attack from the opening kickoff. OU and Texas both play in Lubbock this year. The talent is still there on the field, so if they can handle the transition, Da Raiders are a better value than TAMU to pull off the division upset.
Oklahoma State Cowboys (12/1; 6)
The Cowboys came close last year, winning nine games before hitting the meat of the conference and losing their last four, including the Cotton Bowl to Ole Miss. The offense is changing this year under new coordinator Dana Holgorsen, formerly with Houston, which ranked fifth overall in offensive efficiency in 2009 according to Brian Fremeau’s advanced stats. The ‘Pokes have lost a lot of stars, thus the low total, but the program is in place to at least go bowling.
Baylor Bears (16/1; NL)
Baylor hasn’t won six games since joining the Big 12. The Bears have only managed five wins once, in 2005. But there’s always hope. Coach Art Briles is respected, and QB Robert Griffin is back after tearing up his knee last year. Five wins is reasonable, six and a bowl berth a worthy target.
With the Big 12 losing Nebraska after this season, this looks to be the final year the conference will be split into two divisions. College football odds favor Oklahoma slightly over Texas to take home the last South Division crown, with both the Sooners and Longhorns beginning life without their star quarterbacks from previous seasons. It sets up a huge Red River battle between the rivals on October 2.
The Big 12 South Division is on its last legs. The conference is about to lose two programs: the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who are bolting for the Big Ten in 2011, and the Colorado Buffaloes, who are on their way to the Pacific-10 in 2012. Unless those teams are replaced, the Big 12 will no longer be split into two divisions.
It could have been worse. The Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns ultimately turned down invitations to join the Pac-10, as did three other schools. That would have spelled the end of the Big 12. For now, we get one more season of betting on the South, the seat of power in the conference.
The following six members are ranked by their betting odds for winning the division; we’ll also provide their totals for regular season victories.
Oklahoma Sooners (20/23; 10)
The Sooners don’t have 2008 Heisman winner Sam Bradford at quarterback anymore, but Bradford was injured for almost all of last year, giving freshman Landry Jones (26 TDs, 14 INTs) plenty of burn heading into his second season. Running back DeMarco Murray (4.1 yards per carry, eight TDs) should look better this year with a healthy offensive line, and WR Ryan Broyles (89 catches, 1,120 yards, 15 TDs) could be the best in the country. The defense is solid enough to win the division; the national title at 12-1 might be beyond OU’s grasp.
Texas Longhorns (3/2; 10)
The Longhorns also have a major QB change, with Garrett Gilbert replacing Colt McCoy. Gilbert was thrust into the spotlight during the National Championship Game, looked completely out of his element replacing the injured McCoy, then nearly led Texas to an improbable comeback win.
Gilbert has star potential; he’ll be helped immensely this year by RB Fozzy Whittaker in his return from an injury-plagued 2009. The defense is particularly impressive; at 3-2, Texas is both better on paper and a bigger potential payout than OU.
Texas A&M Aggies (7/1; 7)
It could be feast or famine for the Aggies this year. This team has the shortest odds to unseat Texas or Oklahoma for the South title, but Texas A&M is only established on the offensive side of the ball.
Aggie QB Jerrod Johnson (30 TDs, eight INTs) is outstanding, Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray (15 rushing TDs combined) return at tailback, and the receiving corps is mind-bogglingly good. The defense, on the other hand, is all upside under new coordinator Tim DeRuyter. Definitely worth a look with OU and Nebraska coming to College Station.
Texas Tech Red Raiders (8/1; 8)
Well, this program sure fell apart at the top, but that could be a good thing. Mike Leach is gone, replaced by Tommy Tuberville, the 2004 Coach of the Year with the Auburn Tigers. Tuberville brings in offensive coordinator Neal Brown, under whom the Red Raiders should see a lot more running.
Meanwhile, new defensive coordinator James Willis has a 3-4 scheme that should be on the attack from the opening kickoff. OU and Texas both play in Lubbock this year. The talent is still there on the field, so if they can handle the transition, Da Raiders are a better value than TAMU to pull off the division upset.
Oklahoma State Cowboys (12/1; 6)
The Cowboys came close last year, winning nine games before hitting the meat of the conference and losing their last four, including the Cotton Bowl to Ole Miss. The offense is changing this year under new coordinator Dana Holgorsen, formerly with Houston, which ranked fifth overall in offensive efficiency in 2009 according to Brian Fremeau’s advanced stats. The ‘Pokes have lost a lot of stars, thus the low total, but the program is in place to at least go bowling.
Baylor Bears (16/1; NL)
Baylor hasn’t won six games since joining the Big 12. The Bears have only managed five wins once, in 2005. But there’s always hope. Coach Art Briles is respected, and QB Robert Griffin is back after tearing up his knee last year. Five wins is reasonable, six and a bowl berth a worthy target.