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The Houston Cougars (0-1) and Oklahoma Sooners (1-0) meet at Gaylord Family – Memorial Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET (SEC Network). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Houston vs. Oklahoma odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Cougars opened by laying a giant egg at home against UNLV Aug. 31, falling 27-7 as 3.5-point favorites while the Under (55.5) cashed. In fact, Houston was nearly blanked before a TD pass with just 1 minute remaining in regulation.
Houston managed just 38 rushing yards on 26 attempts while posting 209 passing yards. The Cougars allowed 6 sacks, and Houston committed 10 penalties for 74 yards, too, while missing its only field-goal attempt.
Oklahoma had no such trouble against Temple, going for a 51-3 victory as a 42.5-point favorite as the Under (57.5) hung on. The Sooners gobbled up 220 rushing yards on 36 attempts, with 158 yards through the air. Oklahoma forced and recovered 4 fumbles while also recording 2 interceptions for a plus-6 turnover ratio.
Oklahoma is No. 13 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports.
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Houston at Oklahoma odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:37 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Houston +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000) | Oklahoma -7000 (bet $7,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Houston +27.5 (-104) | Oklahoma -27.5 (-118)
- Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Houston at Oklahoma picks and predictions
Prediction
Oklahoma 45, Houston 13
Moneyline
There is no way you can play Oklahoma (-7000), as it would require risking 70 times your potential return. In other words, you would win just $1.43 for every $100 risked.
As bad as Houston (+2000) was last week, nothing is for certain, and betting such heavy favorites is a kiss of death and a terrible long-term strategy.
PASS.
Against the spread
Take OKLAHOMA -27.5 (-118), as it should be able to get the job done at home.
The Sooners buried Temple last weekend, but they were also aided by a plus-6 turnover ratio. However, while the Cougars are unable to turn it over nearly as much as the Owls, Houston likely isn’t able to do much more than Temple did on the offensive side of the ball. UH was nearly blanked by a Mountain West team on its home field. It was a disaster of a start, and it’s about to get a lot worse.
Over/Under
The OVER 49.5 (-110) is the best play on the board.
While Houston struggled offensively in an Under result — the Aug. 31 home loss to UNLV — and Oklahoma hit the Under against Temple, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Sooners take care of the Over all on their own here.
QB Jackson Arnold was on fire last weekend, tossing 4 TDs against the Owls, and he should be able to tear up a Cougars side which was horrific last weekend.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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