College Football Pick: #12 Oklahoma Sooners at Texas Longhorns
Red River Classic Unfolds as Longhorns Put 2-0 Conference Mark on the Line
A major rivalry will unfold at 3:30 p.m. E.T. today, Saturday, Oct 14, as the #12 Oklahoma Sooners (4-1 Overall, 1-1 Big 12) are at the Texas Longhorns (3-2 Overall, 2-0 Big 12). Just last week, Oklahoma was ranked third in the nation and then they ran into Iowa State. The Cyclones took down the Sooners 38-31. It’s interesting to note that the week before the Longhorns beat Iowa 17-7. The other Big 12 win for the Longhorns was against Kansas State 40-34 in OT. The one conference victory for Oklahoma was 49-41 against Baylor. Our Oklahoma plays Texas 2017 college football pick has the Sooners at -9.0 and the over/under at 64.0.
Oklahoma Pluses and Minuses
The Sooners are averaging 44.6 PPG while allowing opponents 23.2 PPG. Oklahoma is effective on offense both in the air and on the ground. Senior QB Baker Mayfield (74.6 COMP%, 15 TDs, 0 INTs) is adroit and skilled. Five of his receivers are in double digits in receptions and 10 have caught touchdown passes. WR CeeDee Lamb, who leads the team with four TD receptions, is questionable today due to injury. Still, the receiving corps is deep. Freshman RB Trey Sermon and sophomore RB Abdul Adams are both major threats. Both have accumulated just over 370 rushing yards with Adams averaging 10.6 YPA and Sermon 6.1 YPA. The Sooners have 13 rushing TDs.
On the D-line Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (31 TCKLs, 5 SCKs, 9 TFL, 2 FF) is a major force, leading the team in TFL, FF, and sacks and holding second-place in tackles. Also on the frontline is Kenneth Mann who brings three sacks and three TFL to this game. Corner Parnell Motley (23 TCKLs, 3 TFL, 2 INTs, 4 PD) is the enforcer in the secondary.
Sooners Summary
- Deep group of pass catchers
- Young, fast, penetrating rush attack
- Some solid performers on D, but not enough depth
Texas Pluses and Minuses
The Longhorns defense is holding teams to 23.8 PPG, while their offense has been good for 35.6. The defense is loaded with aggressive players who can tame the toughest of offenses. They have 25 TFL and a dozen sacks. In the secondary, safety DeShon Elliott (5 INTs, 3 PD) is extremely dangerous. Corner Kris Boyd has six PD and one pick. The Longhorns have 19 PD and eight interceptions. The one area in which they are weak is in forced fumbles, as they have just one.
The Longhorns have two young and good starting QBs in sophomore Shane Buechele (67.9 COMP%, 3 TDs, 2 INTs) and freshman Sam Ehlinger (56.4 COMP%, 5 TDs, 3 INTs). Of the two, Buechele is more accurate while Ehlinger is more mobile. RB Chris Warren III (49 ATT, 270 YDs, 5.5 YPA) is a dual-threat. Along with four rushing TDs, he also has one receiving touchdown and eight catches for 109 yards. Colin Johnson and Reggie Hemphill-Mapps each have 25 receptions with Johnson averaging 19.4 YPC and Hemphill-Mapps 10.4 YPC. WR Armanti Foreman leads the team in TD receptions with three.
Longhorns Summary
- Deep and talented defense
- Questions concerning which QB should play?
- Texas will rely on passing game
Three Takeaways
- There’s a lot of offensive potential in this game
- Texas D looks scary
- Oklahoma has the more balanced offense
Sooners at Longhorns College Football Pick
Here is our take on our Oklahoma plays Texas 2017 college football pick. If the Longhorn D comes to play, they could potentially make this a win. At the same time, the Oklahoma offense can explode at any time, and Texas has a fairly thin group on defense. However, we do think that Texas will keep the game competitive. Our our Oklahoma plays Texas 2017 college football pick is the Longhorns at +9.0 and the over at 64.0.
Our 2017 Oklahoma at Texas College Football Free Pick: Texas at +9.0 and over 64.0
