Posted on 9/10/2007 8:22:57 PM

NCAA Football Betting – Big 12 North Odds

By Charles Jay

HUSKERS, TIGERS HEAD OF CLASS IN BIG 12 NORTH

Big 12 North Division

In forecasting the NCAA future odds on divisional play in college football, it is important not just to evaluate the teams relative to each other, but their schedule as well - which falls into the category of conference but non-divisional play. These games have a large impact on the standings. Therefore, teams that can avoid the "big two" of the Big 12 - Oklahoma and Texas - can have a nice advantage. Here is the list of Big 12 North teams, with college football betting odds on each (Come see all the props, odds and lines at BetUS.com):

The defending division champ, Nebraska's first three games are tough ones - the Huskers play a bowl team in Nevada, then it's Wake Forest, last year's ACC champion, and USC, this year's pre-season #1. Then it's on to the Big 12 schedule. Not easy, right? Well, this team is lucky that the North is relatively weak. Sam Keller comes in to run Bill Callahan's West Coast offense, and the Arizona State transfer has an opportunity to re-establish himself as a pro prospect. Mason Lucky returns to help him in the running game, and all the receivers are back. This is probably Callahan's best team since he assumed the reins.

Nebraska to win Big 12 North -120 5/6

Nebraska regular season wins Over 8.5 -140 5/7

Nebraska regular season wins Under 8.5 +100 (Even) 1/1

Nebraska's biggest challenge, by far, will come from Missouri, because of QB Chase Daniel (63.5%, 3527 yards, 28 INT'S), who also gained 598 gross rushing yards. All in all, nine starters are back on offense, so the Tigers will score points. The reason they are a close second here is that they will have an opportunity to host the "showdown" game, October 6 against Nebraska, and they've posted two straight wins over the Huskers. They may top NU's win total because of a much lighter non-conference schedule, and Texas isn't on its Big 12 list. On the negative side, Missouri has won just one of the last 17 games against Oklahoma, and in the last three years covered just one of eight games as a road favorite.

Missouri to win Big 12 North +175 7/4

Missouri regular season wins Over 9 +150 3/2

Missouri regular season wins Under 9 -200 1/2

Kansas State got back to a bowl for the first time in three years, though the Wildcats lost to Rutgers in the Texas Bowl. Sophomore QB Josh Freeman needed to be more consistent (52%, 6 TD, 12 INT) but eventually the offense showed improvement. Leon Patrick and James Johnson combined for over 1000 yards in the backfield. This team has one of the nation's top pass rushes (40 sacks last year), which will cause problems for passing teams like Nebraska and Missouri. This should be a bowl team again, and could be a sleeper club, with potential pointspread value - KSU has covered six of its last seven as a home favorite.

Kansas State to win Big 12 North +450 9/2

Kansas State regular season wins Over 6.5 +100 (Even) 1/1

Kansas State regular season wins Under 6.5 -140 5/7

Things are looking up at Kansas. The defense, which has held the opposition to yards-per-carry figures of 3.5, 2.4, and 3.3 the last three years, returns eight starters. Mark Mangino gets his team to play hard. Jake Sharp (129 yards last year) has to shoulder more of the running load. QB Kerry Meier is injury-prone but has loads of ability. Neither Oklahoma nor Texas is on the schedule, and the early slate, which includes Central Michigan, SE Louisiana, Toledo and Florida International, will facilitate Kansas having a higher win total than usual and a bowl appearance.

Kansas to win Big 12 North +700 7/1

Kansas regular season wins Over 6 -140 5/7

Kansas regular season wins Under 6 100 (Even) 1/1

The entire receiving corps is back at Colorado, where eventually coach Don Hawkins' son Cory is going to take over at quarterback from Nick Nelson. Last season's signal-caller, Bernard Jackson, moves from QB to something resembling a "slash". Secondary problems will hold this team back, as will a murderous early schedule that includes improved Colorado State, Arizona State, Florida State and Oklahoma. The Buffaloes have covered three of their last 12 as a dog.

Colorado to win Big 12 North +700 7/1

Colorado regular season wins Over 6 -120 5/6

Colorado regular season wins Under 6 -120 5/6

Iowa State upset Missouri in the season finale, but had dogged it for five weeks before that. QB Bret Meyer (56%, 12-12 ratio) is back, and the defense should be better than the 4.6 ypc and 72.5% completions it allowed last year. The Cyclones were 3-8 against the spread last year, and when they're bad, they're frightfully bad. Wins will be hard to come by.

Iowa State to win Big 12 North +1800 18/1

Iowa State regular season wins Over 4.5 -130 10/13

Iowa State regular season wins Under 4.5 -140 10/11

To recap......

THE CHARLES JAY LINE

Who will win the Big 12 North?

* Nebraska -120

* Missouri +150

* Kansas State +450

* Kansas +700

* Colorado +700

* Iowa State +1800

Think you know who will wind up in the Big 12 title game? Test your knowledge at the championship-level BetUS Sportsbook. Plenty of college odds, lines, props and futures will be there to whet your appetite. Join BetUS today and show yourself the money!

NCAA football betting has started, and BetUS sportsbook already has tons of college football Futures betting available for those of us who can't wait. Bet on the Heisman winner, Conference and Divisional winners and, of course, the 2008 BCS National Championship winner. Bet NCAA Football Futures in our sportsbook today in the Future / props section!

(Charles Jay of TotalAction.com ain't no corn husker, but he's a cheerful contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room)