HCS Roundtable: Big 12 Week 8 Locks of the Week

Posted on October 21, 2022

The Big 12 has been among the most unpredictable conferences in America this season, and that has really shown up on the boards in Vegas through seven weeks of football.

Coming into Week 8, underdogs in Big 12 play are 8-9 straight up, and just two teams remain undefeated in conference play. As fate would have it, those two teams are TCU and Kansas State, who play this weekend in Fort Worth, ultimately deciding who holds sole possession of first place in the Big 12.

Despite this crazy season, the Heartland College Sports staff has weathered the weekly storm to stay ahead in its locks of the week. Through seven weeks, their combined record is 16-9-1, with Pete sitting at 6-1 and Bryan at 5-1-1 after Kansas lost by exactly 10 points last weekend. Let’s see if they can keep things going here in Week 8.

PETE MUNDO (RECORD: 6-1)

GAME: ¹⁷ Kansas State at ⁸ TCU (-3.5)

TCU is averaging a Big 12-best 6.3 yards per carry, while K-State, despite its strong defense, is giving up 3.9 yards per carry, which is third-worst in the Big 12. TCU’s defense has struggled at times, but they’re taking chances, with the second-most interceptions in the Big 12 (6) this season. K-State has yet to throw a pick this year, but I think Martinez is due for one of those, which will turn the tide in this game. TCU’s offensive line has done a great job this season as well and will be able to negate K-State’s pass rush as the Horned Frogs win this one at home and cover.

LOCK: TCU (-3.5)

BRYAN CLINTON (RECORD: 5-1-1)

GAME: Kansas at Baylor (-10)

The Kansas Jayhawks are the lone team in the country that remains undefeated against the spread in 2022 with a 6-0-1 record after closing as a 10-point underdog at Oklahoma last week. Now, Kansas is floating around that same number against Baylor on the road. I think Kansas has the pieces to win this game outright, but I’m going to take Baylor to win the game. However, it isn’t going to be by double digits; I’m thinking it’s going to come down to a field goal in the end. Give me Kansas and the points for my Lock of the Week.

LOCK: Kansas (+10)

DEREK DUKE (RECORD: 2-3)

GAME: Kansas at Baylor (-10)

I need a big bounce-back weekend and so does Baylor. They absolutely crushed my lock of the week last Thursday with a loss to West Virginia. Now they need a win and so do I. Kansas has massive problems on defense and with Blake Shapen back at quarterback for Baylor, I like the Bears. Plus, Jalon Daniels is still out for Kansas. I know Baylor’s defense didn’t look good last week but they will buckle down and get back on the right track this weekend. Give me a Baylor cover here.

LOCK: Baylor (-10)

MATTHEW POSTINS (RECORD: 3-4)

GAME: West Virginia at Texas Tech (-6)

The opening line for the WVU-Tech game in Lubbock was Texas Tech (-6) and that is where I like them. I know the Red Raiders have some issues at quarterback, in terms of who might play. But the Red Raiders have had a week off to prepare and should be well-tuned for this one. I think there’s a good chance they win by more than a touchdown.