Tigers not No. 1 in this realm

For a team ranked No. 1 in the nation, Missouri sure isn’t getting much respect from oddsmakers this week.

The Tigers (11-1) are listed as three-point underdogs against Oklahoma (10-2) in Saturday’s Big 12 Conference championship game at San Antonio.

Why? Oklahoma has more big-game experience and an early-season victory over Missouri.

The Sooners, who defeated the Tigers, 41-31, in Norman, Okla., on Oct. 13, are playing in their sixth Big 12 title game in the last eight years and seeking their 41st conference title.

Missouri, which has not been ranked No. 1 since 1960, is playing for its first conference title in 38 years.

Las Vegas estimates the Tigers’ chances of beating Oklahoma at 40%. AccuScore.com, which simulates games 10,000 times, has the Sooners winning 53.9% of the simulations.

But Missouri, which has covered the spread in three of the last four meetings against Oklahoma, has defied the odds all season and has a strong track record in neutral-site games.

The Tigers, who have scored at least 40 points seven times, are 8-1 against the spread in their last nine games against teams with winning records and 5-0 against the spread in their last five neutral-site games.

Louisiana State might still get respect (No. 7 in the Bowl Championship Series standings), but the Tigers continue to be a poor bet against the spread. Last week, LSU was a 13-point home favorite over unranked Arkansas and lost, 50-48, in triple overtime. The loss dropped the Tigers to 5-7 against the spread.

In beating previously undefeated Kansas, 38-26, last week, Missouri also handed the Jayhawks their first loss against the spread. But Kansas still has the best record in the nation against the spread at 10-1, followed by Air Force and Missouri at 9-2.

Pro basketball

Thinking of making a bet on the Lakers? Well, here is a tip from Betus.com regarding games involving Kobe Bryant and the Lakers this season: “There is still a feeling around the league, and in betting circles, that Kobe Bryant at home is good enough to beat any spread under six points.”

lonnie.white@latimes.com