NCAA Football
2011-09-03 - Tulsa Golden Hurrica at Oklahoma Sooners
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: College Football
Saturday 3 September 2011 - Kick Off 8pm ET
1am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Oklahoma Sooners come into this new season as the Number 1 ranked team in pre-season and they have serious ambitions of going all the way to the National Championship game in January. They face a tough opener against a confident Tulsa team, but the Sooners have a real chance to showcase their talents in this game.
The Sooners have been talking a big game before the season starts and they have every reason to be confident considering the Offense has 2 potential Heismann trophy winners in its ranks. Landry Jones threw for over 4500 yards last season and 38 TDs as the Offense was ranked 3rd in the country. Jones will be ably supported by WR Ryan Broyles.
Broyles is the active leader in terms of receptions, receiving yards and TDs and will be supported by a returning Kenny Stills. However, Stills is suspended for this game.
The Defensive unit will also see 7 starters return this year, although there are some issues to address at the linebacker spot. Austin Box and Travis Lewis would have been the starters at LB, but Box unfortunately passed away and Lewis is out for the first 3 weeks, at least, of the season.
Tulsa have different expectations this season as they want to be in a position where they are ranked in the top 25 on a regular basis. They ended last season with 7 wins and were ranked in the top 25 for the first time since 1991.
However, these ambitions could take a serious hit as Damaris Johnson is indefinitely suspended after being charged for assisting his girlfriend in an embezzlement scam. Johnson is the record holder for all-purpose yards in the NCAA and will be a big loss for the Offense and Special Teams.
GJ Kinne will return as QB for the Golden Hurricanes although the loss of Johnson will have a hit on his numbers. Last year he threw 31 TDs and rushed for 561 yards as he led Tulsa to 5th in Total Offense and 6th in Scoring.
Head to Head
Oklahoma have won the last 5 meetings against Tulsa, including in their last meeting in 2009.
The Sooners are 3-1-1 against the spread in those games.
Oklahoma have won their last 3 games at home against the Golden Hurricanes, going 2-1 against the spread in those games.
Other Interesting Notes
Oklahoma are 4-0 against the spread in their last 4 games as the home favourite of 10.5 points or more.
They are 12-5-1 against the spread in their last 18 games in September.
Tulsa are 9-1 against the spread in their last 10 games overall.
They are 5-1 against the spread in their last 6 games as the road underdog being given 10.5 points or more.
The Golden Hurricane are 2-7-1 against the spread in their last 10 games against schools from the Big Ten.
Prediction
Oklahoma should lay down the marker for why they are favourites to win it all this season and I think they will have enough success with their powerful Offense to cover the spread on offer.
Tulsa are missing a huge piece of their scoring potential in the form of Damaris Johnson and I think that could lead to a tough day in the office for GJ Hinne.
The Sooners should score around 45 points and that should be enough to clear the big spread.
The Pick :
Oklahoma Sooners 45-17 Tulsa Golden Hurricane
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Oklahoma Sooners - 24.5 Points @ 1.95 (Pinnacle)
