Oklahoma vs Houston – Preview and Prediction
OKLAHOMA 11.5 HOUSTON 68
Implied Projected Score: Oklahoma 39.75 Houston 28.25
MEGALOCKS LINE – Oklahoma 10
The Game
The Sooners will try and get the bitter Orange Bowl taste out of their mouths when they open the season against last year’s JUGGERNAUT Houston Cougars. Oklahoma was one win away from the Championship game while Houston rattled off a 13-win season. Game on.
The Match-Up
Oklahoma offense vs Houston defense
This offense promises to be scary yet again. Last season the Sooners scored over 43 points per game, while at the same time, achieving remarkable balance with 222 yards rushing and 308 yards passing per game. They did all this despite allowing 41 sacks. That has to get better. The Sooners boast a fantastic 1-2 punch at RB with Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon. They will miss Sterling Shepard at WR, but overall, this offense looks loaded once again.
The Cougars’ defense was really good last year and probably did not get enough credit for their success. They only allowed 109 yards rushing per game and led the FBS with 35 takeaways. One thing we will point out is that we do not see Baker Mayfield giving Houston too many opportunities for interceptions. The big concern for Houston is the rebuild in the secondary (no returning starters). However, their front 7 looks good and should give the Sooners’ OL some trouble.
Houston offense vs Oklahoma defense
Darkhorse Heisman candidate QB Greg Ward will have to have a fantastic game if the Cougars are to pull this one off (#HotTake). Ward threw for 17 TDs and ran for 21 (!) in 2015. Houston will be without their top two RBs and leading WR from last year’s squad but will still be dangerous with Ward at the controls. Texas transfer Duke Catalon should be a fine #1 back, but MEGALOCKS DEEP INSIDERS note that the depth behind Duke may be a bit suspect based on the performance in camp.
Our concern is the offensive line (2/5 returning starters) vs the Oklahoma front 7. Of course, you could also argue that Oklahoma has lost a lot of talent from last season’s team including leading tackler Dominique Alexander. We see Houston moving the ball. It will all depend on what they do in the red zone.
Tasty Tidbits
Houston is 26-13-1 ATS the past three seasons and were 9-5 ATS in Tom Herman’s first year as HC….Greg Ward has a GREG MADDUX-like record of 19-2 as a starting QB…..Oklahoma will not have long to wait before another tough match-up….Ohio St comes calling on September 17th….we love college football.
Summary
We were originally leaning pretty strongly to Oklahoma…..then we missed the -9.5….then we did more research on Houston. Houston is going to have a lot of trouble defending the pass but we think they can get some PENETRATION and cause some problems. We also need to see how the Oklahoma defense looks after losing some key players. Tough call.
Conclusion
No official play.
Lean: Sadly, going to take a pass.