College Football Futures: Big 12 Champion Picks
BEST BET: Oklahoma Sooners @ -142
Oklahoma Sooners
2019 Record: (12-2, 8-1 CONF)
Odds to win Big 12: -142
The Oklahoma Sooners reached the College Football Playoff Semifinals for the third consecutive season, but just as they did in the year's past, fell one game short of the Championship after losing to the eventual national champions LSU 63-28.
Oklahoma has lost only four conference games over the last five seasons, but will suffer some key losses this offseason. The Sooners will be without both starting quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Hurts only spent one season under center as a transfer from Alabama, but Lamb was a three starter with consecutive 1,000 yard and double-digit touchdown seasons.
Yet under head coach Lincoln Riley the Sooners will remain in good hands, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Taking over the reins under center is the once highly-sought out recruit Spencer Rattler.
With some questions on how the offense will make for the lack of production, Oklahoma’s line is sitting very profitable at (-142). As a five-time defending champion, the Sooners have a strong value for futures betters to profit on.
Texas Longhorns
2019 Record: (8-5, 5-4 CONF)
Odds to win Big 12: +225
The Texas Longhorns opened the season ranked within the top 10 of the nation but lost to both LSU and Oklahoma by seven points, and suffered some bad losses along the way during an underwhelming 2019 season.
There are some major positives for the Longhorns heading into this season as Texas returns starting quarterback Sam Ehlinger, leading rusher Keaontay Ingram and leading tackler Joseph Ossai.
Ehlinger’s dual-threat abilities are the real difference maker for the Longhorns. The senior passed for 3,663 yards, 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while adding 663 rushing yards with seven touchdowns.
With Ehlinger returning for his senior season and a lot of key players joining him back, Texas is my best bet to win the Big 12 and have good value to do so with +225 odds.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
2019 Record: (8-5, 5-4 CONF)
Odds to win Big 12: +900
Oklahoma State has won the Big 12 only once in the conference's existence, and the biggest reason for that has been the inability to defeat rival Oklahoma. The Cowboys have lost to the Sooners six consecutive times dating back to 2014.
Returning to the Cowboys this season is dual-threat quarterback Spencer Sanders and the nation’s leading rusher Chuba Hubbard. Sanders dazzled in his freshman season with 2,065 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with 628 rushing yards and two rushing scores.
Hubbard was untouchable as he rushed for an FBS-best 2,094 yards with 21 rushing touchdowns which was second best in the nation.
For Oklahoma State, they’ll have to find a way to defeat Oklahoma before winning the conference. However, if they can do so, the Cowboys have a favorable schedule to compete for the conference title.
Iowa State Cyclones
2019 Record: (7-6, 5-4 CONF)
Odds to win Big 12: +1600
Iowa State reached a Bowl game for the third consecutive season, but had a chance to do much more damage last season after competing in nearly every game. The Cyclones went 1-2 against ranked opponents; upsetting Texas at home 23-21, but fell one point short of both Oklahoma (42-41) and Iowa (18-17).
The Cyclones return both starting quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Breece Hall. Purdy threw for 3,982 yards with 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and added 249 rushing yards with eight rushing scores. Hall had 897 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in his freshman season.
Iowa State have the longest shot to win the Big 12 on this list, but have a punchers’ chance to win the conference. The Cyclones host both Oklahoma and Baylor at home in 2020, and if they can manage to beat the Longhorns on the road to end the season, Iowa State could find themselves in the driver's seat to win the Big 12.