Sooners Look to Rebound in Big 12 Showdown with Texas
On Saturday, Big 12 play highlights a full calendar of college football when the No. 12 ranked Oklahoma Sooners visit the Texas Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl, in Dallas, Texas. The current line has Oklahoma favored by 7.5 points with the over/under point total on 64.5.
Entering this game, Oklahoma on the season is 4-1 straight up and 3-2 against the spread. On the road, the Sooners are 2-0 SU and 1-1 ATS. Texas on the season is 3-2 SU and 3-1-1 ATS. At home, the Longhorns are 2-1 SU and 1-1-1 ATS.
Last week Oklahoma lost at home to Iowa State by 7 points as 31-point chalk. They failed to cover the number by an almost unbelievable 38 points. Texas is coming off two straight wins over Iowa State followed by Kansas State.
With injuries depleting the Sooners defense, that side of the ball gave up 449 yards to the Cyclones including 368 through the air.
Texas has seen its season improve since losing its opener 51-41 to Maryland. The Longhorns are 3-1 since, with the only loss against USC in a very close game. The Longhorns most recent win was a 40-34 victory last week over Kansas State.
Against K-State Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger had 487 yards of total offense with two touchdowns and an interception.
Ehlinger did all he could to help the Longhorns win, but kicker Joshua Rowland missed what would have been a game winning field goal from just 45 yards. The game eventually went to overtime and Texas prevailed.
The running game for Texas has improved gaining 166 yards against K-State and scoring three touchdowns. The Sooners defense will have a hard time stopping the rush but has an ace in the hole in quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield is a Heisman Trophy candidate and his arm and legs have are the motor behind the high scoring Sooners offense. If the Sooners defense keeps Texas from scoring too many points, the Oklahoma offense will do their part in lighting up the scoreboard.
The Sooners play very well on the road. Oklahoma is 22-5 SU and 21-6 ATS in its past 27 road games during the regular season against teams that are above .500.
Oklahoma is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games played dating back to last season.
Texas is 5-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games against teams with a record above .500.
Prediction: the Sooners are coming off a big loss and will take that out on the Longhorns. Lean toward Oklahoma here.