College Football Futures: What a difference a day makes. The Oklahoma Sooners were a controversial “name brand” choice to fill a slot in the Sugar Bowl against heavily favored Alabama last January but scored a stunning 45-31 upset win as 15-point dogs to become instant favorites for big things in 2014. Oklahoma opened as a 15/1 choice to win the BCS national championship with an over under win total of 10 -115. The Sooners are a prohibitive 4/7 choice to win the Big 12 championship.
Knight in Crimson Armor
Blake Bell and Trevor Knight shared QB duties last season before Knight lit up Alabama for 348 yards passing with 4 TD’s to become the firmly established starter as a sophomore for 2014. The defense returns nine starters and is considered to be the strength of the team. “Big Game” Bob Stoops begins his 16th season as head coach with a team that has won 10 or more games in 8 out of the past 10 seasons.
Handicapper’s Notes
Oklahoma has been a reliable home favorite since 2006 with a mark of 30-17 against the spread and has been a dangerous and valuable road dog with a mark of 7-3 ATS. OU has gone 9-3 ATS in non-conference action the past three seasons and is a dangerous 17-6 ATS when coming off a straight up loss the past decade.
Our Prognosis
Oklahoma is projected to be a favorite in each game on their schedule and has the possibility of dominating a Big 12 Conference that lacks a dominant alternative. Keep an eye out for a big revenge home game on November 8 against a Baylor Bears team that humiliated OU 41-12 last year.
