Week 11 Big 12, Top 25 College Football Predictions

It can be forgiven if it feels like nothing much could top the excitement of a final Bedlam game, However, the quest for a Big 12 championship continues as does the dream of making the College Football Playoff.

Thursday, November 9th 2023, 8:37 pm

By: News On 6, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -

It can be forgiven if it feels like nothing much could top the excitement of a final Bedlam game, However, the quest for a Big 12 championship continues as does the dream of making the College Football Playoff.

While Oklahoma State and Oklahoma aren't in the Top 4, they're also not that far behind. The Cowboys are No. 15 in the CFP and Oklahoma is at No. 17. Oklahoma State beat the Sooners last week 27-24.

How did our fearless prognosticators fare last week? News On 6 Sports Director John Holcomb had a stellar week, as did News On 6 reporter Cal Day. Final tabulations ATS (against the spread) are below:

John Holcomb 9-3

Steve McGehee 5-9

Ryan Welton 8-6

Drake Johnson 7-7

David Prock 2-7

Cal Day 10-4

Aaron Alexander 8-6

What are our games of the week?

BIG 12

West Virginia at 17 Oklahoma (OU -12.5)

Texas Tech at 16 Kansas (KU -3.5)

Baylor at 25 Kansas State (KSU -20.5)

15 OSU at UCF (OKST -2.0)

Cincinnati at Houston (HOU -2.5)

7 Texas at TCU (TEX -9.5)

Iowa State at BYU (ISU -7.5)

TOP 25

Saturday --

Arizona State at UCLA (UCLA -17.0)

3 Michigan at 10 Penn State (MICH -3.5)

8 Alabama at Kentucky (ALA -10.5)

Tulsa at 23 Tulane (TULN -23.0)

Miami at 4 Florida State (FSU -14.5)

18 Utah at 5 Washington (WASH -9.0)

13 Tennessee at 14 Missouri (TENN -1.5)

Stanford at 12 Oregon State (ORST -21.0)

9 Ole Miss at 2 Georgia (UGA -11.5)

Michigan State at 1 Ohio State (OSU -31.5)

Florida at 19 LSU (LSU -13.5)

USC at 6 Oregon (ORE -15)

Air Force at Hawaii (AFA -18.5)

News On 6 Sports Director John Holcomb

OU 35 WVU 24

The frustration is over after a sharp offensive performance. Dillon Gabriel with a big game.

Kansas 38 Texas Tech 30

The Jayhawks' offense is too much for Tech.

Kansas St 41 Baylor 17

Kansas St runs all over the Bears.

Houston 28 Cincinnati 24

The Cougars have a little too much offense for Cincy.

Texas 31 TCU 20

The Longhorns pull away in the fourth quarter.

Iowa St 23 BYU 20

The Cyclones get a late field goal to win.

Virginia at Louisville (Cards win, Cavs cover)

Arizona St at UCLA (Bruins win by 4- Sun Devils cover)

Michigan at Penn St (Wolverines win by a TD and cover)

Alabama at Kentucky (Tide win and cover)

Tulsa at Tulane (Green Wave win but don't cover)

Miami at Florida St (Seminoles win and cover)

Utah at Washington (Huskies win by 10 and cover)

Tennessee at Missouri (Tigers win outright)

Stanford at Oregon St (Beavers win but don't cover)

Ole Miss at Georgia (Bulldogs win and cover)

Michigan St at Ohio St (Buckeyes win and cover)

Florida at LSU (Tigers win but don't cover)

USC at Oregon (Ducks win and cover)

Air Force at Hawaii (Falcons win but don't cover)

Oklahoma City Thunder Reporter Steve McGehee

Oklahoma is finally back home after a pair of close defeats, night game in Norman usually favors the home team.

Taking OU -12.5

Surprised Kansas is only a 3.5 favorite. I’ll be shocked if Kansas doesn’t win by at least 10 points.

Taking Kansas -3.5

Hated the call before the play happened, K-State going for it on 4th down in OT, it failed in Austin last Saturday. Don’t fail me now, Wildcats.

Taking K-State -20.5

The pressure is on OSU to ride the momentum into Arlington. UCF will make it tough, but if OSU can win in Morgantown, they can win at the Bounce House.

Taking Oklahoma State -2.0

Poor Cincinnati is still looking for their first conference win, that 20-6 home loss to OU still doesn’t look that bad. This is a coin-flip game in my mind.

Taking Houston -2.5

Texas is lucky Chris Kleiman was in a gambling mood last week. The Longhorns got a scare and should wake up against a puzzling TCU squad.

Taking Texas -9.5

BYU is tough to figure out as well, another coin flip. Hopefully, the Cougars have another penalty-filled game.

Taking BYU +7.5

Virginia +20.5

Arizona State +17.0

Penn State +3.5

Alabama -10.5

Tulane -23.0

Miami +14.5

Washington -9.5

Missouri +1.5

Stanford +21

Mississippi +11.5

Ohio State -31.5

Florida +13.5

Oregon -15

Air Force -18.5

The Blitz 1170 Producer Scott Pfeil

BIG 12

West Virginia at 17 Oklahoma (OU -12.5) –OU, I think the Sooners bounce back big at home.

Texas Tech at 16 Kansas (KU -3.5) --Kansas, Tech is a mess this year, KU has been good at home.

Baylor at 25 Kansas State (KSU -20.5) --Kansas State, KSU trying to keep their slim Big 12 Championship game hopes alive.

15 OSU at UCF (OKST -2.0) –OSU covers just barely. Huge trap game for Pokes.

Cincinnati at Houston (HOU -2.5) –Pillow fight of Big 12 newcomers. I’ll go with Dana and the Cougars at home.

7 Texas at TCU (TEX -9.5) – Texas, especially if Ewers is back.

Iowa State at BYU (ISU -7.5) -- Iowa State, Cyclones also trying to keep their Big 12 Championship game hopes alive .

TOP 25

Thursday --

Virginia at 11 Louisville (LOU -20.5) -- Louisville

Saturday --

Arizona State at UCLA (UCLA -17.0) -- UCLA

3 Michigan at 10 Penn State (MICH -3.5) -- I’m taking Penn State in the upset.

8 Alabama at Kentucky (ALA -10.5) -- Alabama, Saban has them quietly rolling.

Tulsa at 22 Tulane (TULN -23.0) -- As much as I hate to say it, Tulane.

Miami at 4 Florida State (FSU -14.5) -- I’ll take Miami and the points. I think FSU wins, but this is the one game Miami gets up for.

18 Utah at 5 Washington (WASH -9.0) -- I’ll take Utah and the points. Washington wins, but the Utes’ defense keeps it close.

13 Tennessee at 14 Missouri (TENN -1.5) -- Tennessee. Mizzou has been smoke and mirrors.

Stanford at 12 Oregon State (ORST -21.0) – Oregon State. Stanford is dreadful.

9 Ole Miss at 2 Georgia (UGA -11.5) -- Georgia since it’s at home.

Michigan State at 1 Ohio State (OSU -31.5) -- I’ll take MSU and the points. Ohio State still wins.

Florida at 19 LSU (LSU -13.5) -- LSU

USC at 6 Oregon (ORE -15) -- Oregon, they’ll shred USC’s defense.

Air Force at Hawaii (AFA -18.5) -- Air Force, big bounce back from the disappointment against Army.

Digital Content Director Ryan Welton

BIG 12

West Virginia at 17 Oklahoma (OU -12.5) – West Virginia is a Hail Mary away from being 7-2. They're better than what folks think, and the Mountaineers have scored 151 points in their last four games. West Virginia absolutely covers against the Sooners, and may win in Norman.

Texas Tech at 16 Kansas (KU -3.5) -- This is easy money. Jayhawks by double-digits.

Baylor at 25 Kansas State (KSU -20.5) -- Kansas State has been stout at home, but Baylor has won both its road games. Wildcats win but Baylor covers.

15 OSU at UCF (OKST -2.0) – Cowboys are hummin' and cruise in Orlando.

Cincinnati at Houston (HOU -2.5) – Like the Coogs to outscore the Cats at home, and cover.

7 Texas at TCU (TEX -9.5) – National runner-up TCU has been a big disappointment this season. I like the 'Horns to cover in Fort Worth.

Iowa State at BYU (ISU -7.5) -- A battle of 5-4 teams. It feels like the Cyclones have been significantly better or at least are right now, but the Cougars are undefeated at home. I like Brigham Young to cover.

TOP 25

Thursday --

Virginia at 11 Louisville (LOU -20.5) -- To be fair, I am posting this as the Virginia-Louisville is being played. However, scout's honor, I was picking Virginia to cover in this one. The Cavs showed their mettle against North Carolina earlier in the season.

Saturday --

Arizona State at UCLA (UCLA -17.0) -- My soon-to-be graduate school alma mater, Arizona State, has been a weird team to figure out, but aside from a drubbing at Utah last week, the Sun Devils have held tough against opponents. Bruins win but the Devils cover.

3 Michigan at 10 Penn State (MICH -3.5) -- Penn State has the best home uniform in all of college football. Michigan's road unis are also spectacular. The Wolverines haven't just beaten teams; they've pulverized them. This will be their biggest challenge yet, but all 'signs' point to a UM win and cover.

8 Alabama at Kentucky (ALA -10.5) -- Nick Saban, coach of the year? Wildcats have lost their last two home games. Give me Alabama to win and cover.

Tulsa at 22 Tulane (TULN -23.0) -- As much as I'd love to pick Tulsa, this has been a rough season for the Golden Hurricane. I like Tulane to cover.

Miami at 4 Florida State (FSU -14.5) -- Miami has struggled even in its wins. I like the Seminoles to cruise and cover at home, although the .5 on the -14.5 scares me.

18 Utah at 5 Washington (WASH -9.0) -- There's part of me that thinks Washington could be in for a letdown after its win over USC last week. And I'm perpetually high on the Kyle Winningham-coached Utes, who will cover in Seattle.

13 Tennessee at 14 Missouri (TENN -1.5) -- I think MIZ-ZOU is for real, and they get a signature win at home in Columbia.

Stanford at 12 Oregon State (ORST -21.0) – Beavers win but Stanford covers. The Cardinal beat Washington State in Pullman last week 10-7, indicating that at least Stanford's defense is decent. The weather in Corvallis is going to be rainy and chilly on Saturday, and either way, I think this game is closer than 21.

9 Ole Miss at 2 Georgia (UGA -11.5) -- Ole Miss lost to Alabama in Tuscaloosa by 14. They'll lose to Georgia in Athens by at least 17. The Rebels are good, but Georgia is great. Would love to see an upset. I think Ole Miss is on the cusp of something really special.

Michigan State at 1 Ohio State (OSU -31.5) -- It's hard for me to pick any team to win by 31.5 in conference. Buckeyes win easily but MSU covers.

Florida at 19 LSU (LSU -13.5) -- Coming off a loss at home to Arkansas last week and a 23-point loss to Georgia the week before, this trip to Death Valley might be brutal for the Gators. LSU to cover.

USC at 6 Oregon (ORE -15) -- Alex Grinch is gone. Caleb Williams' and Lincoln Riley's season are closer to disaster, relative to expectations, by the week. I know that Dan Lanning is going for the jugular in hopes of nailing down a playoff spot for his Ducks -- but I can't imagine that USC loses any game by 15. Ducks win a close one.

Air Force at Hawaii (AFA -18.5) -- San Jose State beat the Rainbow Warriors 35-0 on the island. Air Force bounces back big against UH and covers.

Digital Producer David Prock

If last week was a conference chaos week for the Big 12, Week 11 is a week of seemingly sure things. I did horrible last week, 1-8 with winners and 2-7 against the spread. Needless to say, I need some things to go right. This week doesn’t feel like it offers very many match-ups to watch but anything can happen.

BIG 12

West Virginia at 17 Oklahoma (OU -12.5)

After back-to-back losses, I think OU will get it done in Norman this week but West Virginia covers.

Oklahoma 31
West Virginia 27

Texas Tech at 16 Kansas (KU -3.5)

My days of underestimating Kansas have come to an end. The Jayhawks are on a roll and I think roll past Texas Tech on their way to the big game against the K-State.

Kansas 28
Texas Tech 21

Baylor at 25 Kansas State (KSU -20.5)

Kansas State is favored big this week and I am inclined to go with that thinking. They have been strong all year and were 3 points away from beating Texas last week. K- State in a big win

Kansas State 38
Baylor 14

15 OSU at UCF (OKST -2.0)

Oklahoma State looks like they could roll through the end of the season with 3 of the worst teams in the conference left on the schedule. The Big 12 newcomers have not fared well through their first six games and the Cowboys have overcome their early season troubles. Oklahoma State wins and beats the spread.

Oklahoma State 35
UCF 20

Cincinnati at Houston (HOU -2.5)

Houston has not looked good this season, but Cincy has been worse and been more unlucky. Houston wins but Cincy keeps it close.

Houston 27
Cincy 22

7 Texas at TCU (TEX -9.5)

Texas has mostly dominated this year but last week they just barely made it out with the win. TCU has struggled this year, and I don’t see them winning. Still I think it’s close at halftime with the Longhorns pulling ahead in the second half.

Texas 31
TCU 17

Iowa State at BYU (ISU -7.5)

Iowa State let me down last week. I researched the Cyclones and their November performances only for them to lose to Kansas. Oh well, I’m sticking with the kids from Ames. They beat BYU by 11.

ISU 28
BYU 17

Sentimental Favorite ...

Arkansas vs Auburn (ARK -3.0)

Last week, I picked against my heart when I said that Florida would beat the Razorbacks. But the Hogs pulled it off and won in Gainesville for the first time ever. In the words of Michael Scott, “I am ready to be hurt again.” Razorbacks beat Auburn in a one-score game.

Arkansas 26
Auburn 23

TOP 25

Just scores for the rest of the Top 25. I haven’t followed all of these teams well enough to justify these scores.

Thursday Game

Virginia at 11 Louisville (LOU -20.5)

Louisville 38
Virginia 7

Saturday –

SEC

9 Ole Miss at 2 Georgia (UGA -11.5)

Georgia 35
Ole Miss 27

8 Alabama at Kentucky (ALA -10.5)

Alabama 38
Kentucky 27

13 Tennessee at 14 Missouri (TENN -1.5)

Tennessee 41
Missouri 38

Florida at 19 LSU (LSU -13.5)

LSU 42
Florida 24

Big Ten

3 Michigan at 10 Penn State (MICH -3.5)

Michigan 52
Penn State 45

Michigan State at 1 Ohio State (OSU -31.5)

Ohio State 41
Michigan State 13

Rutgers At 22 Iowa (IOWA -1.5)

Iowa 21
Rutgers 17

PAC-12

Arizona State at UCLA (UCLA -17.0)

UCLA 35
Arizona State 14

18 Utah at 5 Washington (WASH -9.0)

Washinton 42
Utah 30

Stanford at 12 Oregon State (ORST -21.0)

Oregon State 35
Stanford 10

USC at 6 Oregon (ORE -15)

Oregon 38
USC 20

ACC

Miami at 4 Florida State (FSU -14.5)

Florida State 41
Miami 14

The American

Tulsa at 24 Tulane (TULN -23.0)

Tulane 48
Tulsa 20

Mountain West

Air Force at Hawaii (AFA -18.5)

Air Force 28
Hawaii 10

Digital Producer Drake Johnson

BIG 12

West Virginia at 17 Oklahoma (OU -12.5)

The Sooners just haven't been the same team since the Red River Rivalry. I do expect the Sooners to win a close win, but WVU plays tough all the way to the end.

PICK: WVU +12.5

Texas Tech at 16 Kansas (KU -3.5)

The Jayhawks are riding high. Coach Leipold is locked in for the long haul, wins are stacking and they're ranked in the CFP for the first time.

PICK: KU -3.5

Baylor at 25 Kansas State (KSU -20.5)

The top of teams of the big 12 sneak by this week, but Baylor puts up a fight in Manhattan.

PICK: Baylor + 20.5

15 OSU at UCF (OKST -2.0)

The Cowboys are coming off emotional win in Bedlam and got to take a trip to Florida right after. Focus is the main factor for Coach Gundy this week. Lucky, they have Ollie Gordon.

PICK: OKST -2

Cincinnati at Houston (HOU -2.5)

The big 12 newbies meet for the first time in this league after coming from the AAC. Cincinnati is a stay-away team, for me, but it'll be a tight one.

PICK: HOU -2.5

7 Texas at TCU (TEX -9.5)

Texas, similar to the Sooners, have played a few close games of their own as of late. Ewers is supposedly back in the lineup and that should be enough to beat the Frogs, buts they would love to send Texas to the SEC with a loss.

PICK: TCU +9.5

Iowa State at BYU (ISU -7.5)

Take the Clones!

PICK: Iowa State -7.5

TOP 25

Saturday --

Arizona State at UCLA (UCLA -17.0)

PICK: ASU +17

3 Michigan at 10 Penn State (MICH -3.5)

PICK: Mich -3.5

8 Alabama at Kentucky (ALA -10.5)

PICK: Alabama -10.5

Tulsa at 23 Tulane (TULN -23.0)

PICK: TULN -23

Miami at 4 Florida State (FSU -14.5)

PICK: MIAMI +14.5

18 Utah at 5 Washington (WASH -9.0)

PICK: Utah +9

13 Tennessee at 14 Missouri (TENN -1.5)

PICK: Tennessee -1.5

Stanford at 12 Oregon State (ORST -21.0)

PICK: Stanford +21

9 Ole Miss at 2 Georgia (UGA -11.5)

PICK: UGA -11.5

Michigan State at 1 Ohio State (OSU -31.5)

PICK: Michigan State +31.5

Florida at 19 LSU (LSU -13.5)

PICK: Florida +13.5

USC at 6 Oregon (ORE -15)

PICK: USC +15

Air Force at Hawaii (AFA -18.5)

PICK: Air Force -18.5

News On 6 Producer Aaron Alexander

BIG 12

West Virginia at 8 Oklahoma (OU -12.5)

Country roads take me home, give me the mountaineers and the points. West Virginia covers +12.5.

Texas Tech at 21 Kansas (KU -3.5)

Rock Chalk… riding with KU to win and cover.

Baylor at 23 Kansas State (KSU -20.5)

The only team to beat the bears by at least two touchdowns is Texas. K-State definitely wins, but 20.5 is a lot of points. Give me Baylor to cover.

22 OSU at UCF (OKST -2.0)

This feels like the biggest let down game. I feel like Vegas is telling you to take UCF. But I’m rolling with the Cowboys. Give me OSU.

Cincinnati at Houston (HOU -2.5)

This is a simple home team pick. Houston wins and covers.

7 Texas at TCU (TEX -9.5)

I got killed by Texas last week. Not happening again. Longhorns win, but TCU covers -9.5.

Iowa State at BYU (ISU -7.5)

BYU is better at home than on the road. -7.5 is a lot of points for a home dog. I’ll take BYU to cover.

TOP 25

Thursday --

Virginia at 13 Louisville (LOU -20.5)

Cardinals win big against Virginia at home.

Saturday --

Arizona State at UCLA (UCLA -17.0)

UCLA coming off a loss to the other Arizona school. The Sun Devils have shown some fight this season. Give me A-State to cover the -17.0

3 Michigan at 10 Penn State (MICH -3.5)

Big Blue wins big in Beaver Stadium.

8 Alabama at Kentucky (ALA -10.5)

Bama wins big in Kentucky. Enough said.

Tulsa at 23 Tulane (TULN -23.0)

The Green Wave haven’t really blown anyone out in conference play this year. But Tulsa struggles to score. I’ll take Tulane and the points, but don’t feel great about it.

Miami at 4 Florida State (FSU -14.5)

Miami covers -14.5 in Tallahassee.

18 Utah at 5 Washington (WASH -9.0)

The Utes are tough as nails. Washington has looked shaky in it’s last few games. Give me Utah to cover -9.

13 Tennessee at 14 Missouri (TENN -1.5)

MIZ… ZOU. Mizzou is tough. I think they win at home against the Vols.

Stanford at 12 Oregon State (ORST -21.0)

Oregon State also hasn’t really blown anyone out this season. Stanford is another team that struggles to score though. To me -21 is too many points give me the team with a tree for a mascot… go Cardinal.

9 Ole Miss at 2 Georgia (UGA -11.5)

The Rebels' fantastic season all comes crumbling down in Athens this weekend. Georgia wins big at home. They’ll see 'Bama in Atlanta.

Michigan State at 1 Ohio State (OSU -31.5)

The Spartans are one of the worst teams in the big 10. They are even worse on the road. Buckeyes win and cover the -31.5.

Florida at 19 LSU (LSU -13.5)

Geaux Tigers. LSU bounces back against Florida at home. Jayden Daniels' health is a big question mark. But I think the Tigers win and cover the two touchdowns.

USC at 6 Oregon (ORE -15)

USC’s offense keeps them in this game. At least enough to cover the 15 points.

Air Force at Hawaii (AFA -18.5)

Give me Air Force to get back in the win column and cover the -18.5.

News On 6 Reporter Cal Day

West Virginia at 8 Oklahoma (OU -12.5)

PICK: WVU +12.5

There’s no reason to confidently feel OU dominates the Mountaineers. It’s been close a close game the last two seasons.

Texas Tech at 21 Kansas (KU -3.5)

PICK: Texas Tech +3.5

Red Raiders do enough to win outright or lose by a field goal on the road in Lawrence.

Baylor at 23 Kansas State (KSU -20.5)

PICK: Kansas State -20.5

This is not Baylor’s year—and that’s putting it nicely. Kansas State bounces back after a dramatic loss in Austin.

22 OSU at UCF (OKST -2.0)

PICK: OKST -2

This has trap game written all over it. UCF hangs around but the Pokes covering thanks to Ollie Gordon.

Cincinnati at Houston (HOU -2.5)

PICK: Houston -2.5

There’s enough in the tank for Houston to put away the Bearcats.

7 Texas at TCU (TEX -9.5)

PICK: TCU +9.5

There are question marks around the quarterback position for both teams. The Longhorns are coming off a huge win over Kansas State, squaring off for the first of three straight primetime games against a TCU team that certainly has disappointed. Watch out for the Horned Frogs to hang around in Fort Worth.

Iowa State at BYU (ISU -7.5)

PICK: BYU +7.5

The BYU offense has been nonexistent for the last two weeks. Nonetheless, the line is too big for the Cougars to lose by more than a touchdown at home.

Virginia at 11 Louisville (LOU -20.5)

PICK: Louisville -20.5

The Cardinals have been dominant following an upset in Pittsburgh. Louisville rolls.

Arizona State at UCLA (UCLA -17.0)

PICK: UCLA -17

Both teams were bullied last week, but the Bruins bounce back with a dominant win at home.

3 Michigan at 10 Penn State (MICH -3.5)

PICK: Penn State +3.5

It’s felt like a long time since the Nittany Lions have had a statement conference win. Michigan hasn’t played anyone of significance and now faces off-field distractions. The Wolverines will wish Connor Stallions attended more Penn State games after an upset in Happy Valley.

8 Alabama at Kentucky (ALA -10.5)

PICK: Alabama -10.5

The Tide keeps this thing rolling in Lexington.

Tulsa at 23 Tulane (TULN -23.0)

PICK: Tulane -23

It won’t be pretty in a road game against the Green Wave. Tulsa looks forward to the 2024 season after this week.

Miami at 4 Florida State (FSU -14.5)

PICK: Miami +14.5

The Seminoles win outright, but Miami hangs around and loses by two touchdowns—or less.

18 Utah at 5 Washington (WASH -9.0)

PICK: Utah +9

How fun has the Pac-12 conference been this year? The Utes play it close on the road.