2014 College Football Louisiana Tech vs. Oklahoma Week 1 Free Pick
By Anthony Rome
NORMAN, OK (The Spread) – There are high hopes in Norman this season and tonight, Oklahoma will take the first step in what should be an outstanding season when it hosts Louisiana Tech in the opener.
The Sooners are currently ranked No. 3 in the nation after blowing out Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. The team boasts a rising star in quarterback Trevor Knight, who put on a show against ‘Bama and is looking to take that preverbal next step in Norman. The biggest question is at running back, where no player has taken meaningful snaps, although sophomores Keith Ford and Alex Ross are chockfull of potential. The defense is also one of college football’s best, led by a nasty pass rush, athletic linebackers and a solid group of DBs.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, have experience at quarterback where Ryan Higgins and Scott Young each made six starts in 2013, while the offense as a whole is led by the dynamic Kenneth Dixon. The secondary is also one of the team’s strengths, although where Louisiana Tech will have issues is in the trenches. There’s simply not enough experience on both sides of the ball and thus, there’s going to be plenty of pressure for Dixon to carry the load.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, Oklahoma is a massive 35-point favorite over Louisiana Tech, while the total is currently sitting at 54 points. The Sooners opened as 37.5-point favorites so the number has dropped a full 2.5 points, while the total has been bet up from 51 to 54.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL FREE PICK: Take Oklahoma. According to latest college football trends, the Sooners are 4-0 against the spread in their last four games overall, 4-0 ATS in their last four non-conference games and 4-1 ATS in their last five games versus Conference USA opponents. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are 1-6 against the number in their last seven games versus Big 12 opponents, 1-8 ATS in their last nine non-conference games and 4-13 ATS in their last 17 games overall.
2014 COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 1 FREE PICK: OKLAHOMA SOONERS -35