2009 College Football Betting: Big 12 North Conference Preview

2009 College Football Betting - Big 12 North Conference Preview
Big 12 North preview courtesy of Alex Smart, A professional sports handicapper featured on Touthouse.com. If you are interested in college football betting this season, be sure to check out all of Alex Smart’s expert betting predictions at Touthouse.com

Colorado Buffaloes (5-7, 4-7 ATS in 2008, +500 to win Big XII North) The Buffs had better make some progress and make a bowl game this season, or HC Dan Hawkins will probably be out of a job. Colorado’s offense only scored 20.2 points per game last year, which is simply something that is unacceptable from a coach that put Boise State on the map with its offense. However, the RB stable of Darrell Scott and Rodney Stewart may be one of the best duos in the nation.

Iowa State Cyclones (2-10, 5-6 ATS in 2008, +2500 to win Big XII North) Iowa State had an awful season in ’08, but former HC Gene Chizik still upgraded his career by landing the job at Auburn. The offense was suitable last season, scoring 25.3 points per game, but allowing 35.8 points just isn’t acceptable at all. Where have you gone Seneca Wallace?

Kansas Jayhawks (8-5, 7-5 ATS in 2008, +175 to win Big XII North) Rock Chalk! The Jayhawks certainly have the most potent offense in the North side of the Big XII, and behind WR Dez Briscoe and QB Todd Reesing, they may be good enough to put up numbers with the powerful offenses of Texas and Oklahoma. Reesing fell just short of 4,000 yards last season, and anything less than that this year will probably be a disappointment. Still, it’s pretty clear that this Kansas team is now on the map of the college football betting world.

Kansas State Wildcats (5-7, 4-7 ATS in 2008, +650 to win Big XII North) Kansas State is going to have a miserable time trying to replace QB Josh Freeman. The rushing attack didn’t have one runner reach the 500-yard barrier. None of that bodes well for an offense that averaged 34.9 points per game last season. Anything anywhere near that number will be considered a success, and it’ll be the only way that the Wildcats will even think about going bowling. That said; Bill Snyder pulled off magic acts in Manhattan once before.

Missouri Tigers (10-4, 5-8 ATS in 2008, +300 to win Big XII North) HC Gary Pinkel had his moments with the Tigers, but the bottom line is that this team just had too many players leave the program. Losing QB Chase Daniel, WR Jeremy Maclin, and 10 other starters is just going to be too much to replace. The Tigers won the Big XII North last season, but they probably won’t be anywhere in the discussion this year. The defense had better allow fewer than 27.2 points per game this year, because the offense isn’t going to be anywhere near as lethal as they were in ’08 when they scored 42.2 points per game.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-4, 7-6 ATS in 2008, +175 to win Big XII North) The Nebraska program may be right on the verge of getting back to national prominence. HC Bo Pelini has done a great job developing his offense, as the unit averaged 35.4 points per game a year ago. The Black Shirts had better get it in gear again though, as 28.5 points per game allowed just isn’t traditional Nebraska football.