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Without a doubt, number one ranked Oklahoma vs. number five ranked Texas was the most bet on game of the College Football Weekend. Betting odds on this game opened at Oklahoma -7 and has only moved between -6 ½ and -6 all week.
Gambling911.com believes the line here should be set at Oklahoma -5 ½, indicating the possibility of a Longhorns cover.
There was a lot of action on this game in general with 70 percent going towards the Sooners.
Texas beat Oklahoma on the road in 2006 as a +3 ½ favorite. The Longhorns have won two of the last three and that one loss was by 7 points. Prior to this trend, the Sooners had owned Texas for a number of years.
These teams have incredibly solid records.
"It's a great rivalry, everyone understands it and everyone is talking about it," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "It is a really good atmosphere to compete in and a great challenge to play a great Texas team."
The rivalry is so big, Texas coach Mack Brown explained Monday, that it transcends all bulletin-board material.
"I'll never forget Brian Bosworth when I was at Oklahoma making all the comments before we played Texas," Brown said. "I walked into coach Switzer's office and said ‘Coach, we need to back off here,' and he said, ‘It will not make any difference in this game. Both teams will run into each other like two Mack trucks and are going to hit each other right in the face. It never matters what they say before the game so don't worry about it.' And Bosworth did make 17 tackles and was the player of the game. I don't think any of that stuff really matters."
Rivals.com highlighted the Sooners defense:
Though Baylor scored 17 points, it was still another step forward for the Sooner defense, as it held the Bears to 75 yards passing even while having to make allowances for Baylor QB Robert Griffin's scrambling ability. Opponents have scored 69 points in five games against OU, though 49 of the 69 have come in the second half, often when the game has already been decided. OU is outscoring opponents 168 to 30 in the first half.
Rivals also points out that a concern for Texas entering its annual Red River showdown against Oklahoma is its inability to force turnovers.
The stats are especially disconcerting when recognizing that in the last 10 meetings between the two powers, the team with the best turnover margin won nine times.
Texas has forced five fumbles and intercepted two passes to rank 96th nationally in takeaways. Its turnover margin is plus-one, rather slight for a team ranked No. 5 with a 5-0 mark after beginning Big 12 play with a 38-14 romp at Colorado.
Still, defensive coordinator Will Muschamp sees no reason to panic. Turnovers, he said, are often the product of quarterback pressure, whether they result in fumbles off sacks, or interceptions off deflections or errant throws.
"Sacks and turnovers are a lot alike. They'll keep coming," Muschamp promised.
Rivals highlights the Longhorns offense:
Although QB Colt McCoy is deserving of all the plaudits he's received so far while averaging 256 yards passing and 63.4 yards rushing, the Oct. 11 showdown against Oklahoma represents a much more difficult test. The junior has bounced back from a so-so 2007 season, in which he threw almost as many interceptions as touchdowns. His ratio this season is a favorable 16-to-3, and accomplished without starting TE Blaine Irby, who was lost for the season to a knee injury. Getting backs involved in the passing game will be critical against the Sooners.
As for the stats, they look good on both sides.
Recent head-to-head history is a good indicator, however, and these two teams should play close. Even recent games in general for Texas seem to indicate that the Longhorns should be able to cover the +6 ½ line found at betED.com.
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Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
