2016 Big 12 Conference Betting Predictions

Will the title hopeful Oklahoma Sooners record another bankroll-boosting ATS campaign in 2016 like they did a year ago? Will Charlie Strong lead Texas to a winning SU campaign or is the last roundup for the Longhorns’ leader? Will the offensively-explosive Texas Tech Red Raiders repeat as a lock selection against their Over/Under totals? Thanks to my fearless college football betting predictions on the Big 12 heading into the 2016 college football season, you’ll find out the answers to those questions and much more. Let’s get started.

Taking a Look at the 2016 Big 12 Conference Betting Predictions

#Big12FB: Four conference QBs named to Manning Award Watch List. https://t.co/gGBvhMtkP3

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) August 15, 2016

Oklahoma’s ATS Outlook

Not only did the Oklahoma Sooners go 11-2 and reach the four-team CFB Playoff, but the Sooners also compiled a blistering 9-4 ATS mark that had their betting backers jumping for joy last season. Unfortunately, I’m thinking Oklahoma will face much tougher game-day odds in 2016, effectively lowering the number of times they’ll cash in. I’m thinking an ATS record that hovers right around .500 sounds about right for the Sooners in 2016.

Charlie Strong and Texas

I’m going on record right now to say that, unless Texas beats Oklahoma, wins the Big 12 – and national championship – that Charlie Strong is done in the Lone Star state. Texas went 5-7 last season after going 6-7 in Strong’s first season in 2014 and that’s not going to cut it for a Longhorn’s fan base and alumni that is for someone more like beloved former head coach Mack Brown. Besides, I’ve got Texas winning six or seven games at best this coming season, although I do believe the Longhorns will record a winning ATS record.

CFB Playoff Worthy?

The Sooners represented the Big 12 in the four-team College Football Playoff a year ago, but I don’t think the Sooners are getting back in 2016 – of they lose two games. If the Sooners lose their regular season opener against Houston, they’ll suffer two losses and since I already have them losing to the Cougars, I guess the answer is no. I don’t see any Big 12 team reaching the playoffs in 2016.

Texas Tech and the Total

Texas Tech (7-6 SU, 7-6 TS) was absolutely phenomenal in finishing second in total offense and second in scoring (45.0 ppg) in 2015 as they set a new school record for points scored under head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Over/Under total bettors benefited from the Red Raiders’ high-scoring ways as Texas Tech went played Over the total 10 times in 13 games. I can easily see the Red raiders playing over the total far more often than not in 2016, even though they’ll face some high totals.

Baylor, Oklahoma State and West Virginia

The Bears (6-7 ATS), Cowboys (6-7 ATS) and Mountaineers (5-8 ATS) all recorded losing ATS records in 2015, but I think two of the three at the very least will bounce back to record post winning ATS marks in 2016. Ironically, all three teams went 8-5 O/U a year ago, but I’m expecting the Bears to play under the total more in 2016 without former head coach Art Briles leading them.

Home and Away

TCU recorded a winning 5-2 ATS mark at home a year ago, but that’s not happening again in 2016. Oklahoma recorded an identical 5-2 ATS mark on the road last season – and that’s not happening again either!

Faves and Dogs

The Sooners went 8-4 ATS as a favorite year ago and that’s not happening in 2016. TCU went 3-0 ATS as an underdog in 2015 and that’s a possibility again.