Houston vs. Oklahoma Prediction
Can No. 4 Oklahoma continue its offensive dominance and cover a big spread at home when it opens its season against Houston tonight at 7:30PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
215 Houston vs. 216 Oklahoma
Sunday, September 1, 2019
7:30PM ET – Memorial Stadium
TV: ABC
Compare odds and from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our new NCAAF Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Trends
According to the latest oddsmakers, Oklahoma is the clear favorite at home, as the Sooners are getting odds of -23 points against Houston. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 80 points. The public betting currently has 56 percent going on Houston as the underdog. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NCAAF Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Sooners an offensive juggernaut
Oklahoma is coming off a Big 12 title and playoff appearance in 2018, but lost to Alabama in the semifinal. The Sooners were 12-2 overall and 8-1 in the Big 12. The team is entering its third season with Lincoln Riley as head coach. He is 24-4 through his first two season. Oklahoma was just 6-7-1 against the spread last year while going 11-3 with the over.
The Sooners were the nation’s top offense last season while producing a second consecutive Heisman winner in Kyler Murray. Oklahoma averaged 48.4 points and 570.3 yards per game in 2018. The offense has four starters back this year and welcomes in former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts to run the offense. Hurts threw for 765 yards and eight touchdowns in limited action for the Tide last season. Leading rusher Kennedy Brooks is back for the Sooners as well. He rushed for 1,056 yards and 12 touchdowns. Trey Sermon is back as well. He ran for 947 yards and 13 touchdowns. CeeDee Lamb also returns at receiver. He caught 65 passes for 1,158 yards and 11 touchdowns. Up front, Oklahoma has just one starter back on the offensive line. Defensively, Oklahoma struggled in 2018. It gave up 33.3 points and 453.8 yards per contest. The defense has eight starters back this year, including five in the front seven.
Houston starts new era
The Houston Cougars were a respectable team last season, as they went 8-5 on the year and 5-3 in the AAC. The team is now being coached by former West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen. He was 61-41 with the Mountaineers. Houston was 6-7 against the spread last year and 9-4 with the over.
Houston put up an impressive 43.9 points and 512.5 yards per game last season on offense. The Cougars have seven starters back from that unit. D’Eriq King returns under center for the squad. He threw for 2,982 yards and 36 touchdowns last year while rushing for 674 yards and 14 scores. He has 1,000-yard receiver Marquez Stevenson back as well. Defensively, Houston was pretty rough. The Cougars gave up 37.2 points and 496.4 yards per game last year. They have just three starters back on defense this year.
College Football Betting Trends
Oklahoma
The Sooners are 15-7 against the spread in their last 22 home games.
Houston
Houston is 15-4 against the spread in its last 19 games on grass, but just 4-12 ATS in their last 16 road games overall.
Prediction:
Lincoln Riley has been able to produce offense in bunches and I think that can continue with Hurts under center. It may not be as proficient as with Mayfield or Murray, but it should still be good enough to put up big numbers week-to-week. The Houston defense isn’t anything special and it will be working with a new coaching staff, so I expect Oklahoma to exploit it consistently and cover this spread with some ease.
College Football Week 1 Prediction: Oklahoma -23
Related: Houston vs. Oklahoma Total Prediction