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Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
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Expert Picks
I still like taking Houston and the points in this game too, but as this total has slowly creeped higher, I've been close to pulling the trigger on the Under too. Now that it's reached 80 it's time to pounce. A reason I like Houston is because I think Oklahoma's offense will struggle a bit with a brand new OL and QB, and that will affect the total as well.
New defensive coordinator Alex Grinch might be the savior of the Oklahoma defense, but it isn't going to save it in his first game -- especially since Houston has electric playmaker D'Eriq King taking the snaps. Furthermore, Sooners quarterback Jalen Hurts will operate more of a ball control offense anyway. Take the Cougars. It's not going to be as much of a shootout as many think.
The big eight-oh is the magic number on totals. It doesn’t get much larger than this. Under players need to practice amnesia with regard to the Oklahoma-West Virginia score from last season: 59-56. Former Mountaineers coach Dana Holgorsen has moved to Houston. On the bright side, Oklahoma is breaking in a new QB. Sure, Jalen Hurts is outstanding, but he might need a week or two for full acclimation to coach Lincoln Riley’s offense. Bottom line is, these teams must average more than 1.33 points per minute to hurdle this total. Take the Under.
Jalen Hurts is the new Soonerd QB this season, after transferring from Alabama. He gives Oklahoma a playoff-winning QB, and one that's really strong in the clutch. Dana Holgerson takes over as the Cougars head coach after leaving West Virginia. He also inherits a QB in D'Eriq King, who is the perfect QB to run his uptempo, spread offense. Both King and Hurts are Heisman candidates and legit NFL prospects. We might be in for a shootout in Norman.
I wouldn't be surprised if Oklahoma goes undefeated through the regular season, but this is a large spread for the Sooners to cover. I'm not worried about the transition from Kyler Murray to Jalen Hurts. What I am worried about is Oklahoma replacing four offensive lineman from one of the best offensive lines in the country last season. Plus, I don't think OU's defense will suddenly be lights out, and Houston has a talented, experienced offense that upgraded at coach this offseason. The Cougars will not be embarrassed in this game.