Craven’s Corner lost money in Week 11 thanks to a 3-6-1 record against the spread. The good news is that we’re paying the bookie back with his own money because we sit at 61-43-3 for the college football season. 

Week 12 doesn’t provide us with many headline matchups, but betting doesn’t require a close game – that’s what lines are for. As always, we look at each of the FBS games involving a Texas tie ahead of a new week of college football action. Only two weeks remain in the regular season. North Texas is idle this week. 

GAMES OF THE WEEK 

SMU at Tulane
Viewing guide: Thursday at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN 
Gambling odds: Tulane -3; O/U 65
The Mustangs reached six wins and bowl eligibility last week in a win over South Florida. SMU is back on the road in Week 12, this time looking to play spoiler against a ranked Tulane squad that is still in the AAC title hunt. SMU is on a three-game winning streak and playing its best football of the season thanks to an improved running game that’s providing balance alongside the passing exploits of Tanner Mordecai. Beating Tulane requires a better defensive performance than we’ve seen from the Mustangs against other quality opponents. 
Craven’s bet: Tulane -3, Over 65

TCU at Baylor 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 11 a.m. on FOX 
Gambling odds: TCU -3; O/U 57.5 
The 118th meeting between TCU and Baylor is historic as that ties Texas and Texas A&M for most played intra-state rivalry in the Lone Star State. The last four meetings were decided by an average margin of 6.25. TCU upset Baylor during its Big 12 title run of 2021, and the Bears hope to return that favor to an undefeated Horned Frogs squad that already secured a spot in the Big 12 title game. TCU is currently ranked fourth in the College Football Playoff Top 25 heading into the weekend. Baylor lost 31-3 last time out to Kansas State. 
Craven’s bet: Over 57 (buy the hook) 

WIDE ZONE 

Texas A&M vs. UMass 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 11 a.m. on SEC Network 
Gambling odds: Texas A&M -33.5; O/U 47 
The Aggies should break their six-game losing streak in an out-of-conference game against UMass. Still, Texas A&M is looking at a 4-8 2022 despite starting the season ranked sixth in national preseason polls. Jimbo Fisher’s squad is the fourth-most talented roster in the country according to 247 Talent Composite. The rest of the top five has three combined losses this year. 
Craven’s bet: Over 47 

UTSA at Rice 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 12 p.m. on ESPN+ 
Gambling odds: UTSA -13; O/U 61
The Roadrunners punched their ticket back to the C-USA championship game with a win last weekend over La Tech. A victory this weekend against Rice would clinch homefield advantage for that game – either against North Texas or Western Kentucky. The Owls need one more win to reach bowl eligibility and to ensure that Mike Bloomgren is around for the move to the AAC in 2023. 
Craven’s bet: Rice +13 

Houston at East Carolina 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 1 p.m. on ESPN+ 
Gambling odds: East Carolina -6; O/U 67 
The Cougars entered the season with AAC championship hopes a year before moving to the Big 12. Calling 2022 a disappointment is an understatement for Dana Holgorsen’s Houston program. The fact that they’re nearly a touchdown underdog against East Carolina shows how far the Cougars have fallen this season. The defense allows too many points. 
Craven’s bet: East Carolina -6 

Texas at Kansas 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on FS1 
Gambling odds: Texas -9; O/U 64 
The Longhorns are 6-4 after a seven-point defeat at home to TCU. All four of those losses were one-possession games. The offense didn’t score a single touchdown in the 17-10 loss last time out against TCU. Kansas upset Texas in Austin in 2021. Steve Sarkisian needs more consistent play from quarterback Quinn Ewers, or another upset is in the cards. 
Craven’s bet: Over 64

UTEP vs. FIU 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 3 p.m. on ESPN+ 
Gambling odds: UTEP -14; O/U 51
The Miners need to win their final two games to reach a bowl. A home game against FIU should provide UTEP with a chance to get halfway there with two contests remaining on the 2022 schedule. Dana Dimel’s group were idle in Week 12. They lost at Rice the last time out with quarterback Gavin Hardison exiting the game with a leg injury. A strong running game and stout defense should be all that is required from the Miners to beat a young FIU squad. 
Craven’s bet: FIU +14

Texas State vs. Arkansas State 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 4 p.m. on ESPN3
Gambling odds: Texas State -5.5; O/U 51 
Time feels like it is ticking for Jake Spavital at Texas State. The Bobcats are guaranteed another losing season with seven losses already on the docket. Texas State is favored at home against Arkansas State. Starting quarterback Layne Hatcher spent his previous seasons there, and that should provide an interesting storyline in this game. 
Craven’s bet: Texas State -5.5 

Texas Tech at Iowa State 
Viewing guide: Saturday at 4 p.m. on ESPN3 
Gambling odds: Iowa State -3.5; O/U 48 
Texas Tech hasn’t finished above .500 in the Big 12 since Mike Leach roamed the sidelines. The Red Raiders can accomplish that feat in year one under Joey McGuire with wins over Iowa State and Oklahoma to close out the season. They need one more win to secure bowl eligibility. Texas Tech matches up well with the Cyclones on paper, but an 0-4 road record is concerning. 
Craven’s bet: Texas Tech +3.5