For the first and perhaps last time, there will be five Texas schools in the Big 12 this fall, as the Texas Longhorns prepare to bow out and join the SEC in 2024.
Between the Longhorns and the four other Texas members (including national runners-up TCU), there’s no shortage of Lone Star State flair to the Big 12 Conference this fall.
The Longhorns are the preseason betting favorite to win their first conference title in 14 years.
Unfortunately for college fans in the state, there is no legal Texas sports betting. It will be 2025 before the legislature will discuss wagering again.
While Texas has been lagging in conference titles, Baylor has won three Big 12 championships in the same time period (2013, 2014 and 2021).
To get a sense of where the Longhorns stand entering the year, BetTexas.com utilized SportsOddsHistory.com to take a look at the preseason odds for Big 12 Champion dating back to 2008 and who ended up winning the conference.
Big 12 Preseason Odds History
Although there are no Texas online casinos and betting apps, national operators give OU the second-best Big 12 title odds at +325 and a preseason win total over/under of 9.5.
Preseason Favorites Have Had Mixed Success
It’s been four years since the last preseason betting favorite (Oklahoma) won the Big 12 title, with a pair of longshots taking home the conference crown in 2021 and 2022.
The Longhorns are prohibitive favorites to win their first Big 12 title since 2009 (there is no BetMGM Texas, but nationally the operator lists the program at +100).
Other Texas programs' preseason odds of winning the conference are Texas Tech (+1100, 4th), and the Horned Frogs and Baylor (+2000 apiece, T-7th).
First-year Big 12 member Houston has the longest title odds of any program in the state (+20000), with the Cougars ranking in a tie for last with West Virginia.
The longest preseason odds of any Big 12 team to win the conference title since 2008 was that 2021 Bears squad, which began the year with +5000 odds.
