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Big 12 Championship game: Texas Tech vs. BYU prediction, keys to game
College football Power Four title picks and top Group of Five contender
Before the Snap looks at who’s poised to win the Power Four leagues and which Group of Five program could emerge as the top contender.
Saturday’s Big 12 Championship game has plenty of jeopardy when it comes to the College Football Playoff. Win, and you’re in. Lose, and your fate is in the committee’s hands.
At No. 11 in latest CFP rankings, BYU might have a case for the playoff with a closer loss, but there might be too much ground for the Cougars to overcome. For the Big 12, the dream scenario is to send two teams to the playoff with a narrow BYU win that leaves the Red Raiders (No. 4 in CFP) as an at-large pick.
These teams met early in November, and Texas Tech dominated BYU, winning 29-7 in Lubbock.
Here’s what you need to know for Saturday’s game and who we think will win:
Big 12 Championship game: Texas Tech vs BYU
- Records: Texas Tech (11-1), BYU (11-1)
- Time/TV: Saturday, noon., ABC,
- Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Big 12 Championship game predictions
- Texas Tech 35, BYU 17: The first game in early November should’ve been much worse for BYU, Texas Tech’s struggles in the red zone preventing an uglier rout. But there’s much more on the line now, and BYU has extra juice from coach Kalani Sitake turning down Penn State. It took Texas Tech about two quarters in November to adjust to BYU’s physical lines of scrimmage, and if the Cougars can protect the ball, they’ll get this game to the second half. Texas Tech QB Behren Morton wasn’t completely healthy the last time the teams played, and has been nearly flawless since. ― Matt Hayes
- Texas Tech 31, BYU 10: Quarterback Behren Morton wasn’t quite himself against the Cougars the first time around this season, as he was returning from a multi-week injury. Still, Texas Tech’s suffocating defense was too much for BYU and true freshman Bear Bachmeier to handle in the 29-7 loss. The Red Raiders are the most capable Big 12 team to cause some chaos in the College Football Playoff, and standout defenders Jacob Rodriguez and David Bailey lead the way in Texas Tech’s first-ever Big 12 title. ― Austin Curtright
- Texas Tech 30, BYU 7: Look for Tech to take care of BYU by multiple touchdowns and enter the playoff ready to advance to the semifinals and even beyond. BYU is a physical, well-coached team that typically won’t make the crucial mistakes that can mean the difference against elite competition. The Red Raiders are simply more talented, with difference-making talent at quarterback, the defensive line and the entire front seven. — Paul Myerberg
Big 12 Championship game betting odds
Odds via BetMGM, as of Dec. 5
- Spread: Texas Tech (-12.5)
- Over/under: 49.5
- Moneyline: Texas Tech (-550)
A day off at the pool — and a little sunburn — didn’t stop the Minnesota Twins’ momentum.
Brooks Lee hit a three-run homer as Minnesota scored multiple runs in the first inning for the third consecutive game, and the Twins went on to complete a series sweep of the Texas Rangers with a 9-3 win Thursday.
Minnesota has won four games in a row and scored 25 runs in the three-games series in Texas. The two teams had a rare, mid-series day off on Wednesday with the England-Croatia World Cup game being played in Arlington.
“We’re locked in every day,” Lee told Audra Martin on the team’s broadcast. “Yesterday, taking time off, lay out by the pool, get a little burnt and then right back to it. We did a good job getting focused. I feel like we do that with rain delays, too, just lock back in and we’re doing it.”
Lee’s 12th homer capped a four-run first off Jack Leiter (3-7). Trevor Larnach made it 6-0 in the fourth with a two-run shot to straightaway center that just cleared the extended glove of leaping Alejandro Osuna. Larnach’s third hit was an RBI single in the fifth, and Ryan Kriedler hit a two-run homer in the eighth.
Joe Ryan (5-3) struck out seven but needed 97 pitches to get through five scoreless innings while allowing three singles. Leiter was done after the fourth, and has given up 17 runs while losing three starts in a row.
The Twins never trailed in the sweep that extended their winning streak to four, matching their longest this season. Their 14-5 record at Globe Life Field is the best for any American League opponent since the ballpark opened in 2020.
Wyatt Langford, Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue hit solo homers for the Rangers, who have lost five of six games. They are 0-15 when giving up multiple runs in the first inning.
Twins DH Josh Bell, who was born in nearby Irving and grew up in the area, had an RBI single before Lee’s homer. Bell hit a three-run homer in the first inning of the series-opening 4-2 win Monday, and had an RBI single for a 2-0 lead in the first of a 12-2 win on Tuesday.
“We’re just passing the baton each time,” Lee said of the offensive output. “Our guys are hot. They feel good and they came out swinging today. It was awesome to see. We’ve done that for a while now.”
Up next
Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.26 ERA) starts Friday at Arizona. The Diamondbacks are scheduled to start right-hander Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.11).
Watch CBS News
A Texas state trooper was killed in a crash in the Panhandle, becoming the 244th Texas Department of Public Safety officer to die in the line of duty since 1823, according to the agency.
Sergio Romero, 27, died Wednesday after a semi-truck pulled in front of him as he attempted a traffic stop around 4 p.m. on U.S. 287 in Childress County, DPS said.
In a statement, Col. Freeman F. Martin praised Romero’s courage, integrity, and service.
“Today, we grieve the loss of one of our own,” Martin said. “… Our hearts break alongside his family, friends, fellow troopers, and all who loved him. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in service of his fellow Texans.”
Romero previously served with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office before joining DPS as part of Class B-2025 in Childress, the agency said.
He is survived by his wife, Francisca, and their two young sons.
Funeral arrangements are pending. The crash remains under investigation.
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