Under Bob Stoops, Oklahoma has lost just two home games in 10 seasons. Both those losses came as 25+ point favorites.
Brent Venables, the veteran OU Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach has been rumored as a candidate for Head Coaching jobs at Clemson and Kansas St. With an extra week to prepare, look for this to be an audition of sorts for him. Nothing would help his chances at gaining a top notch job more than a strong outing against the Red Raiders' offensive machine.
Oklahoma had worked itself back into the national title picture last season before getting waxed in Lubbock. They would love nothing more than to return the favor in primetime under the watchful eyes of the nation. A strong showing by the Sooners could possibly vault them above Texas in the polls. Would a BCS controversy of this sort really surprise anyone? A lot of voters in the human polls do not like the BCS system and enough might vote OU ahead of Texas just to create the ensuing controvesry.
Since Mike Leach took over at Texas Tech, the Red Raiders have scored no more than 24 points when playing in Norman. In the other two contests they scored 13 and 15. These games occured while Texas Tech had what were considered very good offenses.
Both teams have adequate running abilities and both teams will try to establish the run in an effort to lessen the time the other team's offense spends on the field. With these two offenses, big plays will happen regardless of how well the defenses are playing. Both teams excel at scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Which defense will force a couple of field goal attempts?
Big question mark for OU is the play of its special teams. They continue to give up one to two big returns per game including two for TDs. Their place kicker has struggled and is very unreliable. If OU finds itself needing to make a field goal of more than 35 yards, they will be in trouble.
Look for a final score in the range of 28-24 or 31-27. A total of 60+ is too high and bettors should pound the Under. If it wasn't for the Sooners' poor play on special teams (even with a bye week, I think the special teams will give up at least one big play simply because they've failed to shore things up throughout the season) I would like them to win by 10-14.
Brent Venables, the veteran OU Defensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach has been rumored as a candidate for Head Coaching jobs at Clemson and Kansas St. With an extra week to prepare, look for this to be an audition of sorts for him. Nothing would help his chances at gaining a top notch job more than a strong outing against the Red Raiders' offensive machine.
Oklahoma had worked itself back into the national title picture last season before getting waxed in Lubbock. They would love nothing more than to return the favor in primetime under the watchful eyes of the nation. A strong showing by the Sooners could possibly vault them above Texas in the polls. Would a BCS controversy of this sort really surprise anyone? A lot of voters in the human polls do not like the BCS system and enough might vote OU ahead of Texas just to create the ensuing controvesry.
Since Mike Leach took over at Texas Tech, the Red Raiders have scored no more than 24 points when playing in Norman. In the other two contests they scored 13 and 15. These games occured while Texas Tech had what were considered very good offenses.
Both teams have adequate running abilities and both teams will try to establish the run in an effort to lessen the time the other team's offense spends on the field. With these two offenses, big plays will happen regardless of how well the defenses are playing. Both teams excel at scoring touchdowns in the red zone. Which defense will force a couple of field goal attempts?
Big question mark for OU is the play of its special teams. They continue to give up one to two big returns per game including two for TDs. Their place kicker has struggled and is very unreliable. If OU finds itself needing to make a field goal of more than 35 yards, they will be in trouble.
Look for a final score in the range of 28-24 or 31-27. A total of 60+ is too high and bettors should pound the Under. If it wasn't for the Sooners' poor play on special teams (even with a bye week, I think the special teams will give up at least one big play simply because they've failed to shore things up throughout the season) I would like them to win by 10-14.
I dont see how anyone could think Oklahoma wins by more than a TD. Oklahoma may have the worst defense in the big 12, its certainly bottom tier of terrible defensive conference. Tech has a good defense this year, but I dont see how it matters. You have probably 2 of the top 3 offensive teams in the country. This game will take 50 points to win with the loser not far behind. I cant believe the total is so low, right around what it was for Tech/Oklahoma st, a much better defense team and a team that runs the ball a lot more.
So they'll blitz then....
Texas Tech's DL is the best Oklahoma will have faced all season long..
I think people are underestimating Texas Tech.
Sure, they "almost" lost to Nebraska....but if you want to play that game, Oklahoma "barely" beat Kansas (in Norman) by 14...while Tech beat them by 42 IN Lawrence...
Texas Tech didn't necessarily get luck vs Texas....what they got was a big time play from a big time player....and then absolutely demolished Okie St.
Should be a hell of a game...i see this one very close.
I would be suprised if anyone blew the other team out....
I love Oklahoma's skilled positions...absolutley LOVE THEM>....ut at the same time.....no one has stopped Tech all year....and I don't see them being stopped (or contained) on Saturday either...
I am not underestimating TTU. I had big plays on them when they faced both Texas and Okie State. I know they are very good. But TTU's DL is not the best they have faced. Both Texas's and maybe even TCU's were better and they were still not slowed down that much. And if TTU does blitz to bring pressure, Bradford will go over the top and burn them deep.
We agree to disagree regarding best DL's...but that is neither here nor there....I don't doubt Bradford's ability and that of his skill position guys.....but I just think we are in for another classic....lots of points and whoever has the ball last wins kind of game...
Texas Teh may be the team of destiny this year...I'm just glad it won't be another SEC/Big 11 debacle in the Nat'l title.......let's justhope Mizzou doesn't screw things up...
As wide open as this game is expected to be, you need your head examined to think that there is any value in the 6 or 7 points you get on a teaser. That holds true for most, if not all college games-and this game is a LOT more wide open than most.
I'll most likely pass on this one, but HELL WILL FREEZE OVER before I even remotely consider a teaser on this game.
I disagree. In a lot of these big games, the margin of victory is often times quite substantial. Florida blows out UGA, USC blows out Ohio State, Texas Tech blows out Okie State, Texas blows out Mizzou, etc. etc.. The list goes on and on. In fact, it is seemingly more rare that the game is actually close when two heavyweights collide. Just like in a heavyweight prize fight, the loser typically gets knocked out big time.
Oklahoma will bring the dream season of Tech's to a crash and burn ending. I'm not touching the total, but I'm looking to put everything that I've lost so far this season on this 1 game. Look at Tech's record on the road, in big games (against top 10 teams). Horrendous. I can't wait to watch all the Red Raiders bitch and groan about how they don't deserve the Cotton Bowl at 10 a.m. on New Year's Eve morning. Shut up and enjoy it.....it's coming to you.
ope:
Soonerdawg says: Look for a final score in the range of 28-24 or 31-27. A total of 60+ is too high and bettors should pound the Under. If it wasn't for the Sooners' poor play on special teams (even with a bye week, I think the special teams will give up at least one big play simply because they've failed to shore things up throughout the season) I would like them to win by 10-14.
I agree a case can be made for the under, especially if the total is pounded up during the week. What I do not understand, is the score being predicted, why do you believe that OU will not score 35 or more at home this week, when they have been held to 35 by only Texas and TCU this year. I think the game could be close, but I do not see OU scoring less than 42.
Since 2004, 11 of Tech's 16 losses are to teams ranked in the top 25 and seven of those vs. teams in the top 15. Every year is different, and Tech has had a great run, but this is a tough spot for Tech.
I agree a case can be made for the under, especially if the total is pounded up during the week. What I do not understand, is the score being predicted, why do you believe that OU will not score 35 or more at home this week, when they have been held to 35 by only Texas and TCU this year. I think the game could be close, but I do not see OU scoring less than 42.
Since 2004, 11 of Tech's 16 losses are to teams ranked in the top 25 and seven of those vs. teams in the top 15. Every year is different, and Tech has had a great run, but this is a tough spot for Tech.
The B12
is not too good on D. You have to down to 55th place nat'l for the first tm to show up on "Total D"! And that IS OU. Of course B12 advocates will say it's because "we have such dynamic offensive tms". Some truth in that I suppose. If I were going to play this one and I'm NOT, I'd have to take 7 if I could get it. Just too good a game to have to worry about the $$, will kick back in my LZB and enjoy! BOL to all who do play it, well not ALL just half.
is not too good on D. You have to down to 55th place nat'l for the first tm to show up on "Total D"! And that IS OU. Of course B12 advocates will say it's because "we have such dynamic offensive tms". Some truth in that I suppose. If I were going to play this one and I'm NOT, I'd have to take 7 if I could get it. Just too good a game to have to worry about the $$, will kick back in my LZB and enjoy! BOL to all who do play it, well not ALL just half.
