Sportsbook Picks – Wounded Big 12 North Rivals Aim For Renewal

TheKansas State Wildcats will try to keep the Baylor Bears from becoming bowl-eligible this weekend in Waco, Texas.They are a six-point underdog in the sportsbook.

Kansas State Wildcats @ Baylor Bears

Saturday, October 23rd – 3:35 PM ET

Floyd Casey Stadium, Waco, TX

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Sportsbook Odds: Kansas State +6, Baylor -6

Sportsbook Total: 59

While some Big 12 teams compete for championships, others contend for milestones that, albeit less significant on a comparative scale, mean a great deal for an intimate football family. This weekend in Waco, Texas, just such a moment will arrive for the Baylor University community.

Yes, coach Art Briles – finally given a healthy quarterback this season – is on the verge of leading the Baptist school in the Lone Star State to college football’s postseason. The Baylor Bears can become bowl-eligible for the first time since 1994 with a win Saturday against Kansas State.

Last week, Baylor won 31-25 at Colorado. Quarterback Robert Griffin – able to play this season after getting knocked out of the lineup for most of the 2009 campaign – completed 22-of-27 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown, and carried the ball 15 times for 137 rushing yards.

Running back Jay Finley carried the rock 14 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns as the Bears moved one step closer to their own version of the promised land. BU might not be fighting for the same things that Oklahoma and Texas are pursuing, but don’t tell the folks near Floyd Casey Stadium that this confrontation with Kansas State isn’t a huge deal.

It will mean the world to the Baylor campus to see its football team back in the postseason spotlight.

Kansas State, for its part, wants to establish bowl eligibility of its own after missing out on the prize in 2009. KSU destroyed Kansas, 59-7, last Thursday night in Lawrence. Quarterback Carson Coffman threw for two touchdowns and ran for three more as the Wildcats bounced back from a disappointing loss to Nebraska the week before.

Sportsbook Handicapping: What Kansas State Has To Do To Win

Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas has been held below 100 yards rushing for three straight games. The Baylor defense, which has allowed 156.7 rushing yards per game this season and gave up 192 at Colorado last week, might have a tough time stopping him.

Even though Thomas was held to just 91 yards against Kansas, the Wildcats ran for 286 yards and scored five touchdowns on the ground. If KSU can establish Thomas and add in just enough passing to keep Baylor’s linebackers honest, the Wildcats could give the Bears a lot of problems and ring up big offensive numbers.

Moreover, an effective K-State running game would keep the ball out of the hands of Baylor’s explosive offense.

Sportsbook Handicapping: What Baylor Has To Do To Win

The best player on the field on Saturday will probably be Baylor’s Robert Griffin, the dynamic quarterback who has thrown for 1,969 yards and 14 touchdowns this season in addition to his six rushing touchdowns. Griffin’s favorite target, Kendall Wright, has caught 40 passes for 535 yards. If Griffin plays his best game, Baylor wins, period – no ifs, ands or buts.

Sportsbook Handicapping: Outlook & Pick

Griffin will indeed play extremely well on his home field, and Kansas State will find itself unable to keep pace in a shootout. Baylor will punch a ticket to a bowl game on an emotional day in Waco, while Kansas State’s lack of a passing game will prove to be a key deficiency for the Wildcats. Take Baylor minus the points.

Sportsbook Pick: Baylor -6

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