Big Ten and Big 12 College Football Picks Against the Spread

Week 11 of college football is here, and honestly, it’s a wild mix of excitement and nerves as teams chase playoff dreams and conference crowns. This week’s schedule? Pretty intriguing. We’ve got Indiana heading to Penn State, and then there’s LSU rolling into Alabama—both underdogs hoping to pull off something special.

The stakes feel enormous right now. What happens in these games could really shake up the College Football Playoff picture and conference races. So, what’s actually on tap for Week 11?

Big 12 Showdown: BYU vs. Texas Tech

The Big 12 has been a bit of a circus this year, honestly. Now, No. 7 BYU takes on No. 8 Texas Tech in a matchup that could tip the scales for the CFP and the Big 12 title race.

BYU hasn’t lost yet, but Texas Tech has been blowing teams out left and right. Oddsmakers seem to like the Red Raiders for a reason.

BYU’s Path to Victory

If BYU wants to keep their streak alive, they’ve got to play their game and stay sharp. Here’s what really matters for them:

• Consistent Offense: Keep the chains moving and cash in on chances to score.
• Strong Defense: Don’t let Texas Tech break off big plays.
• Minimize Mistakes: Stay disciplined—no dumb penalties or turnovers.

Texas Tech’s Dominance

Texas Tech has been steamrolling people lately. If they want to keep that going, they should:

• Exploit BYU’s Weaknesses: Attack the spots where BYU has struggled.
• Maintain Aggressive Play: Keep the foot on the gas, both sides of the ball.
• Home Field Advantage: Let the crowd get loud and make life tough for BYU.

Big Ten Clash: Indiana vs. Penn State

Indiana, somehow sitting at No. 2, travels to Penn State. They’re the favorites, but Penn State’s roster is loaded with talent—this one could get weird.

Indiana’s Strategy

Indiana’s got to stick to what works. They should:

• Utilizing Star Players: Let their best guys make plays.
• Controlling the Tempo: Slow things down or speed them up, whatever fits them best.
• Defensive Solidity: Don’t let Penn State’s offense get comfortable.

Penn State’s Upset Potential

Penn State’s year hasn’t gone as planned, but there’s still a shot to mess up Indiana’s run. They’ll need to:

• Maximizing Talent: Let their NFL guys take over.
• Creating Turnovers: Force Indiana into mistakes.
• Home Field Advantage: Feed off the crowd and bring some energy.

Pac-12 Battle: Oregon vs. Iowa

Oregon, ranked No. 9, gets a real test from No. 20 Iowa. Oregon’s got playoff hopes, but they really need a statement win here.

Oregon’s Game Plan

For Oregon, it’s about execution. They should:

• Offensive Efficiency: Take care of the ball and find the end zone.
• Defensive Pressure: Make Iowa’s offense uncomfortable all day.
• Limiting Mistakes: Don’t hand Iowa any freebies.

Iowa’s Defensive Strength

Iowa loves to drag teams into the mud. If they want to win, they’ll need to:

• Stifling Defense: Clamp down and frustrate Oregon’s attack.
• Capitalizing on Opportunities: Jump on any Oregon mistakes.
• Home Field Advantage: Make it a tough atmosphere for the Ducks.

SEC Showdowns: Texas A&M vs. Missouri and LSU vs. Alabama

The SEC has a couple of big ones lined up. No. 3 Texas A&M heads to No. 22 Missouri, and No. 4 Alabama hosts LSU. Both favorites should win, but you never know—upsets happen.

Texas A&M’s Road Challenge

Texas A&M has to deal with a tricky road trip, especially since Missouri’s down to their third-string quarterback. Their keys:

• Exploiting Missouri’s Inexperience: Pressure the young QB and force mistakes.
• Maintaining Defensive Integrity: Stay locked in—no breakdowns.
• Offensive Consistency: Get points early and don’t let up.

Missouri’s Upset Blueprint

Missouri’s got a chance if they can:

• Utilizing Fresh Talent: Let the new QB play loose and unexpected.
• Defensive Resilience: Make it tough for A&M to move the ball.
• Home Field Advantage: Get the crowd into it, big time.

Alabama’s Dominance

Alabama wants to keep rolling against LSU, who just fired their coach. To take care of business, Bama should:

• Maintain Focus: Don’t overlook LSU just because they’re favored.
• Strong Start: Score fast and often.
• Defensive Pressure: Mess with LSU’s timing and rhythm.

LSU’s Chance for Redemption

LSU could make things interesting if they:

• Playing with Pride: Use the coaching shakeup as fuel.
• Defensive Stands: Get stops and keep Bama’s offense in check.
• Capitalizing on Mistakes: Take advantage if Alabama slips up.

American Athletic Conference: Tulane vs. Memphis

The American Athletic Conference has a sneaky good one: Tulane vs. Memphis. Both are fighting for a top spot, so this one matters more than people might think.

Tulane’s Keys to Victory

Tulane needs a few things to go right: