Big 12 Championship preview and predictions

BYU Cougars vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

AT&T Stadium will play host to this year's Big 12 Championship between the #11 ranked BYU Cougars and the #4 ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders. Both teams went 8-1 in conference play, with BYU's only loss of the season coming at the hands of Texas Tech 29-7 back in early November. As for the Red Raiders, they overcame a week 7 26-22 loss to Arizona State, and have now won five in a row. Texas Tech has been the complete package this season, they're 3rd in points per game (43.2), 3rd in points allowed per game (11.3), 9th in passing yards per game (295.6) and 25th in rushing yards per game (193.6). Although his odds are +30000, LB Jacob Rodriguez for Texas Tech is still in the running for the Heisman Trophy. The Red Raiders are essentially ensured a spot in the CFP win or lose, but a second win against BYU would pretty much guarantee them a one way ticket to the quarterfinals.

As for BYU, at 11-1 overall, many pundits will say that they're underrated, but the fact that they only played two games against top 25 teams this season, losing one of them, means that they'll need to win in Arlington if they want to make the CFP. The Cougars are a top 25 team in points per game (33.7), points allowed per game (17.8) and rushing yards per game (194.5), but the lack of quality competition in the Big 12 means that an at-large bid for BYU would be a tough sell for the selection committee. A win for BYU guarantees them a spot in the CFP, but probably not as favorable a ranking as Texas Tech would have. BYU opened as a 12.5 point underdog against Texas Tech, but the over/under of 49.5 shows that the sportsbooks think this one will be high scoring despite both teams defensive prowess.

The BetQL college football moneyline prediction is for the Red Raiders to win in over 74% of its simulations with a projected final score of 26-17.5. Our College Football Spread Prediction says take BYU +12.5 currently at -105 on DraftKings Sportsbook.