NCAA Football Betting – Sooners look to end BCS drought
- Can Oklahoma finally win a BCS bowl game?
- Is Sam Bradford underrated?
- Who can stop the Sooners in the Big 12?
If you bet sports online, you're well aware of the Oklahoma Sooners. You know the Sooners are favored in offshore sportsbook odds almost every game; they know their talent and coaching is as consistent as it gets; and you know Oklahoma has lost four straight BCS games under coach Bob Stoops.
In spite of those defeats, you can still count on the Sooners being one of the best teams in the nation in 2008. In fact, they should be in contention for the BCS Championship.
Odds list Oklahoma as the Big 12 favorite and rightfully so. This squad is a little better than the Missouri Tigers and miles ahead of the Texas Longhorns or the overhyped Texas Tech Red Raiders.
With Sam Bradford returning on offense, the Sooners have another of their typical “system quarterbacks” who will vie for a Heisman Trophy (see: Jason White, Josh Heupel).
Bradford was a freshman All-American and quite frankly, had he not been hurt in the game against Texas Tech, the Sooners likely would have advanced to play in the National Championship.
With one of the best offensive lines in the country you can expect the Oklahoma offense to have good rhythm. It averaged more than 30 points per game last year and, although stand out receiver Malcolm Kelly must be replaced, nine other starters return
The defense is also built around a dominating line which will consistently wreak havoc. Tackle Gerald McCoy is considered the next Tommie Harris and he'll work next to DeMarcus Granger. The pair might form the best tackle tandem in the nation.
There are some inexperienced players in the secondary, but a strong pass rush is always a weak defensive back's best friend. The Sooners have been top-20 in rush defense in each of the last seven seasons; moving the ball on this unit will be just as arduous this year.
Oklahoma has lost just two home games under Stoops, which bodes well for 2008. All of its toughest games come at home and the only minor concerns are road trips to Texas A&M and Oklahoma State.
Another Big 12 victory is definitely in the Sooners' sights.
Oklahoma regular season win total: 10 wins.
Pick: Over
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Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions?
