The 2025 Big 12 conference is pure chaos, in the best way possible. Five different teams have title odds of +700 or shorter, and no clear favorite has emerged. With no true juggernaut, a glut of well-coached, talent-laden teams and wild transfer portal activity, the title race is shaping up to be a slugfest where “anybody can beat anybody.”
Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of each team’s outlook, grounded in program identity, 2024 trends and offseason moves with betting value where it exists.
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Related: Post-Spring Scamp 2025 College Football Power Rankings
2025 Big 12 Conference Odds, Picks & Predictions
Kansas State Wildcats (+600)
Chris Klieman’s Kansas State Wildcats are the definition of consistency with upside. They’ve averaged 9.2 wins over the past three seasons and have leaned heavily on their savvy use of the transfer portal.
Quarterback Avery Johnson is a dynamic dual-threat who rushed for over 600 yards and tossed 25 touchdowns last season, but his 58.6% completion rate must improve for K-State to hit another level. With Dylan Edwards and Joe Jackson behind him in a loaded backfield, the Wildcats should again be a run-first bully.
A pivotal opening game against Iowa State in Dublin could shape the entire conference race. Historically, Klieman’s teams don’t beat themselves, but they also haven’t quite broken through to College Football Playoff (CFP) relevance.
Betting Pick: Over 8.5 Wins (-120) – This is a team with reliable coaching and roster continuity, making them a smart play in a volatile Big 12.
Utah Utes (+650)
The Utah Utes had a top-20 defense last year and still lost four games by a touchdown or less. It was classic, close but not close enough, Utah under Kyle Whittingham.
Now, they enter their first full Big 12 slate with quarterback Devon Dampier (from New Mexico) and his offensive coordinator Jason Beck, aiming to jump-start a stagnant offense. The system continuity from New Mexico could be underrated here. Utah still brings physicality and discipline to the table – two rare commodities in the Big 12.
Betting Pick: Utah To Win the Big 12 (+600) – With stable trenches and a ceiling-raising QB/play-caller duo, this is a high-upside bet if you believe in Whittingham’s development pipeline.
Texas Tech Red Raiders (+650)
There’s big pressure on Joey McGuire in Lubbock, Texas, and the staff knows it. Texas Tech now has the facilities, Name Image Likeness (NIL) backing and recruiting pipeline to win big.
Offensive coordinator Mack Leftwich is expected to bring vertical aggression to an offense with experienced QB Behren Morton and transfers WR Reginald Virgil and Caleb Douglas out wide. With three new offensive linemen from the portal and an overhauled defense led by coordinator Shiel Wood, formerly of Tulane, this roster reflects deliberate, win-now construction.
Betting Pick: Over 6.5 Wins (-150) – The roster is mature, and the staff’s urgency is evident. They should push nine-plus wins. If they don’t start hot, you might want to check coaching change futures.
Arizona State Sun Devils (+650)
No longer a feel-good underdog, Kenny Dillingham’s Arizona State Sun Devils now carry the burden of expectations. QB Sam Leavitt, last year’s Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, returns with WR Jordyn Tyson (1,101 yards) to form what could be the league’s most explosive duo. The defense returns nearly intact and may be the best in the Big 12; Arizona State’s entire offensive line and coaching staff return, creating a rare continuity edge.
Betting Pick: Individual player props and futures on Sam Leavitt and Jordan Tyson will offer best value as high expectations cripple team odds.
Baylor Bears (+700)
Dave Aranda isn’t on the hot seat anymore because he rebuilt Baylor his way. The Bears’ offense finished 20th nationally last year, with quarterback Sawyer Robertson emerging as a top Big 12 arm. Four starters return along one of the league’s top offensive lines.
The defense, however, must take leaps after a disappointing season. Aranda himself will call plays again, and the staff hit the portal hard on that side.
Betting Pick: Over 7.5 Wins (+106) – The offense should carry them to eight-plus wins if the defense finds its footing.
TCU Horned Frogs (+800)
Sonny Dykes has produced one CFP team and one 5-7 flop in the last two years. In 2025, QB Josh Hoover returns after throwing for nearly 4,000 yards, but turnovers (11 interceptions) remain a concern.
The schedule is brutal, with three road games in their final four and a challenging non-conference slate. While the offense will hum, the defense must prove that their second-half 2024 surge was real.
Betting Pick: Under 6.5 Wins (+142). The schedule is a buzzsaw, and the margin for error is slim.
Related: 2025 SEC Conference Preview + Championship Odds, Picks & Predictions
BYU Cougars (+1000)
The BYU Cougars went 11-2 in 2024, but QB Jake Retzlaff has a murky status due to legal issues. If he plays, BYU boasts a dynamic backfield with LJ Martin and returns its top pass-catcher in WR Chase Roberts. The defense is reloading up front, but brings back a strong linebacker unit. Head coach Kalani Sitake and defensive coordinator Jay Hill are seasoned, and the culture is stable.
Betting Pick: Over 6.5 Wins (-150) – If Retzlaff plays, BYU has the talent to push for double-digit wins.
Iowa State Cyclones (+1100)
Matt Campbell’s squad somehow survived a wave of injuries and still won 11 games. Rocco Becht returns after leading the league in passer rating for much of the year, but wide receiver turnover is a concern. If the defensive line transfers can generate pressure, Iowa State has the experience and coaching to return to the Big 12 Championship game.
Betting Pick: To Win the Big 12 (+1100) – A championship game berth could be within reach. At these odds, it’s a high-value play on a mature roster with strong quarterbacking play.
Kansas Jayhawks (+1700)
The Kansas Jayhawks underwhelmed last year, but QB Jalon Daniels returns, and they added explosive wide receiver talent via the transfer portal. Running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. is a potential breakout star. The defense is the question mark, especially early in the year. That said, the defensive line has real strength, and the staff believes they’ve simplified the scheme under defensive coordinator D.K. McDonald.
Betting Pick: Over 7.5 Wins (+146). –This team is built to win shootouts, and they’ll win enough of them.
Cincinnati Bearcats (+2700)
After two rough years, Cincinnati is showing signs of life under head coach Scott Satterfield. Indiana transfer QB Brendan Sorsby is a dual-threat weapon. On defense, star DT Dontay Corleone anchors a unit that’s added portal depth in the secondary. The schedule starts soft (Bowling Green, NW State), and there’s upside with the right breaks.
Betting Pick: Over 6+ Regular Season Wins – The Bearcats can make a bowl game. Momentum plus portal wins equals likely six-plus wins.
Houston Cougars (+2800)
The Houston Cougars were abysmal on offense in 2024, but Conner Weigman (Texas A&M) is a major portal win at quarterback. The defense was actually strong against the run and could be better in 2025. If the offense even gets to “average,” this team can win games. They miss several Big 12 contenders on the schedule.
Betting Pick: Over 5.5 Wins (-210) – Quarterback talent plus schedule breaks could make Houston a sneaky bowl team.
Colorado Buffaloes (+3200)
No Shedeur Sanders, no Travis Hunter and almost no returning production, but head coach Deion Sanders reloaded at quarterback with Liberty’s Kaidon Salter and five-star freshman JuJu Lewis. The offense should be fine, but the defense is a total rebuild with only three returning starters. The first half of the schedule is forgiving.
Betting Pick: Over 6+ Regular Season Wins (-135) – A good enough quarterback room can steal six wins, even with a reset roster.
Arizona Wildcats (+5000)
New offensive coordinator Seth Doege, who has “Air Raid” roots, takes over a Wildcats team that was second-worst in the Big 12 in scoring last season. Transfer WR Luke Wysong (New Mexico) could be a key difference maker in this system. The defense is undergoing a full retool, specifically in the front seven. However, a very favorable early schedule, with five of six games at home, offers a real momentum boost if they can take it.
Betting Pick: Over 5.5 Wins (+118) – Early wins, plus a system overhaul, equals a quiet path to a bowl.
West Virginia Mountaineers (+5000)
Head coach Rich Rodriguez returns to Morgantown, West Virginia, with a total roster overhaul. Nicco Marchiol is a good fit for the offense, and the backfield is talented. The defense was dead last in most metrics in 2024, but returns more production than the offense. Rodriguez will get this team scoring, but stopping people will be a work in progress.
Betting Pick: Over 5.5 Wins (+124) – This is a fun, flawed team that will win shootouts, but a 6-6 finish is a real possibility.
Oklahoma State Cowboys (+5500)
Mike Gundy essentially purged the roster after a disastrous 2024 season by adding over 30 players via the portal, and no clear starting quarterback. The defense gave up over 500 yards per game last year, and there’s no reason to believe immediate fixes are coming. The program is in chaotic rebuild mode.
Betting Pick: Under 5.5 Wins (+128) – Too many questions, too much turnover and a brutal league make this a fade.
UCF Knights (+6000)
Head coach Scott Frost is back, and although the roster is still in flux, the early schedule is favorable, avoiding several top contenders. The defense returns key secondary pieces, and there’s depth at running back. The quarterback battle remains unresolved, but the overall trajectory of the roster is upward.
Betting Pick: Over 5.5 Wins (-128) – Favorable schedule and improved roster depth make UCF a solid bowl bet.
Related: 2025 Big Ten Conference Preview + Championship Odds, Picks & Predictions
High Risk, High Reward: Moonshot Parlay
The best odds in this conference might come from building a parlay:
*Note: Some of these markets are only available in some regions*
|
1 |
Arizona State Top 3 Finish |
+650 |
|
2 |
Iowa State To Make the Big 12 Title Game |
+1100 |
|
3 |
Baylor Over 7.5 Wins |
-110 |
|
4 |
Kansas Over 6.5 Wins |
-110 |
|
5 |
Texas Tech Over 8.5 Wins |
-110 |
Parlay Odds: +57300
Why This Parlay Works:
High floor: Kansas, Baylor and Texas Tech win totals are rooted in returning production and schedule analysis. These legs keep the parlay alive late.
High ceiling: Arizona State and Iowa State are both top-tier value picks that could hit if their quarterbacks stay healthy and the defense holds.
Safer Big 12 Futures Parlay (Balanced, High Value)
Want a safer parlay?
Swap Iowa State’s +1100 title game appearance for Utah to make the Big 12 title game (+275), and still excellent upside but lower risk.
|
1 |
Arizona State Top 3 Finish |
+650 |
|
2 |
Utah to Make Big 12 Title Game |
+275 |
|
3 |
Kansas Over 6.5 Wins |
-110 |
|
4 |
Baylor Over 7.5 Wins |
-110 |
|
5 |
Texas Tech Over 8.5 Wins |
-110 |
Parlay Odds: +19469
Why This Parlay Works:
- Arizona State Top 3 Finish (+650): Arizona State is the upside leg, boosted by schedule and portal upgrades.
- Utah Title Game (+275): Utahis a veteran team with the best defense and top coaching.
- Kansas, Baylor and Texas Tech Win Totals: All three are supported by returning production, favorable schedules and continuity at quarterback.
This is still aggressive, but not wild –a great sweet spot for value hunters.
Final Thoughts
If recent Big 12 history tells us anything, it’s this: The race will go down to the final week, and a team with +1000 or longer odds will likely still be in it. Play smart, look for stability and watch the trenches. In this conference, that might be your best edge.
Related: 2025 ACC Conference Preview + Championship Odds, Picks & Predictions
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