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Big 12 Championship game: Texas Tech vs. BYU prediction, keys to game
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- Big 12 Championship: Texas Tech (11-1) vs. BYU (11-1), noon, Saturday; TV: ABC
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)