Oklahoma vs. Houston Pick
The Oklahoma Sooners take on the Houston Cougars today at 12:00PM ET at NRG Stadium. Will the Sooners cover as a double-digit favorite?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Sooners are now 12.5-point favorites over the Cougars after opening as a 10-point fave. As for the total, the number opened at 68 and hasn’t moved off that number original number posted by oddsmakers. (See why we think this game will fall under in our early prediction this week.)
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The Sooners were a great play for bettors last season, covering in nine of their 13 lined games and winning by a 21.5-point margin per contest. As a favorite, which is what they are today, Oklahoma was 8-4 at the betting window, winning by an average margin of 22.5 points per game. They were also 2-2 against the spread in non-conference play.
The Cougars were nearly as impressive last season at the betting window as the Sooners were, covering in nine of their 14 games. In those 14 contests, Houston won by an average margin of 19.7 and covered at a +9.4 rate. As an underdog, they were a perfect 3-0 against the spread, winning by an average margin of 12.7.
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OUR PICK: As good as Houston was a year ago, the Cougars will be forced to deal with one of the best backfields in the nation this afternoon. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield can make plays inside and outside of the pocket, but he also has help in backfield mates Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon, one of the best backfield duos in the nation. One of the biggest question marks that Houston faces heading into this season is in the secondary, where the Cougars must replace four key difference-makers off last year’s aggressive squad. That’s an issue when trying to limit Oklahoma’s big play ability and that will come into play this afternoon.
CFB WEEK 1 PREDICTION: OKLAHOMA SOONERS -12.5