We’ve seen this one move quite a bit over the months since college football lines have been available at DraftKings Sportsbook. Oklahoma actually opened an 11.5-point underdog over the summer, consistently taking money and getting bet down over the last few months. The Sooners were a field goal underdog earlier in the week, and were bet to the favorite on Friday afternoon. On Saturday morning, we’re settling in with Texas priced as a short favorite, but that could still change leading up to kickoff.
The big mystery here is if John Mateer will play — the Sooners’ quarterback is just a couple weeks removed from minor surgery on his throwing hand. That said, if he does suite up, there’s no way he’ll be at 100%. If he doesn’t play, Michael Hawkins Jr., who has playing experience, will take on the Longhorns. I don’t have a ton of concern about who’s under center for Oklahoma as I do about the play of its defense.
The Sooners have been one of the best defenses in the country, and that should be a problem for a struggling Longhorns offense. Arch Manning has not lived up to the hype against any quality competition so far this season, losing outright at Ohio State and Florida. The atmosphere will be more favorable at the neutral field at the Cotton Bowl, but Manning will still have to figure out an elite defense away from home.
In Oklahoma’s two tests this season, it has held Michigan to 13 points and Auburn to 17 points. I think we see a similar script here in a low scoring game.
CFB Pick: Oklahoma +1.5 (-108) or Texas Team Total UNDER 22.5 (-110)
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