Missouri at Oklahoma Odds

Written by Jack Jones

Oklahoma and Missouri play in their Big 12 opener Saturday in a rematch from last year’s 36-27 home victory by the Tigers. The Sooners had just debuted at the top of the BCS standings last October, and Missouri was able to hold Landry Jones without a completion in the fourth quarter while scoring 16 unanswered points to seal the victory. This rematch will be played at Memorial Stadium, where the Sooners have a 78-2 record under head coach Bob Stoops. They have won 37 straight home games, which is the longest such streak in the nation.

If you are looking to wager on this game, then you will find a line of Oklahoma -22 over Missouri with a total set of 56.5 points.

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma Sooners currently sit ranked atop the BCS standings for a second straight year when heading into their showdown with Missouri. Oklahoma is off to a 2-0 start to their 2011 campaign, beating Tulsa 47-14 in their opener and topping then-No. 5 Florida State on the road 23-13 last week. The Seminoles tied it up 13-13 with less than 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but that’s when the Sooners would not be denied. They scored less than three minutes later on a Kenny Stills 37-yard touchdown pass from Jones, and would tack on a 31-yard field goal from Jimmy Stevens with 2:01 remaining to seal the victory.

The Sooners feature the No. 18 unit in the country in total offense, averaging 486.5 yards/game. They did not capitalize last week when they were in FSU territory too often, which is a big reason they rank just No. 41 in scoring offense (35.0 points/game). Oklahoma has played two potent offenses, which makes the fact that they rank No. 19 in scoring defense (13.5 points/game) even more impressive. They are No. 44 in total defense (323.0 yards/game) as well.

Jones is completing 71.6 percent of his passes for 574 yards and two touchdowns to two interceptions. Dominique Whaley has emerged on the scene as one of the top running backs in the country. He has compiled 202 rushing yards (5.2/carry) with four touchdowns through two games. Ryan Broyles has picked up right where he left off last season, catching 21 balls for 213 yards and a score. Kenny Stills has seven grabs for 125 yards and a touchdown as well.

Missouri

The Tigers have opened the season 2-1 with their only loss coming at Arizona State 37-30 in overtime. That contest was sandwiched between a 17-6 home victory over Miami (Ohio) in their opener, and a 69-0 throttling of Western Illinois at home last week. Missouri set a school record with 744 yards of total offense and tied a school record for most points scored, while limiting Western Illinois to just one first down and 44 total yards.

Due to that performance against Western Illinois, the Tigers rank among the country’s best in both offense and defense. Missouri is No. 11 in total offense (512.0 yards/game) and No. 23 in scoring offense (38.7 points/game). The Tigers rank No. 16 in total defense (268.7 yards/game) and No. 21 in scoring defense (14.3 points/game). These rankings are still impressive considering Miami (Ohio) is one of the best teams in the MAC, and ASU is one of the top squads in the Pac-12.

James Franklin has thrown for 694 yards while completing 65.6 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and one interception. He has also rushed for 157 yards and two scores. Henry Josey has led the way on the ground, rushing for 400 yards and three touchdowns on a whopping 13.8/carry. Josey did most of that damage against Western Illinois, though, rushing for 263 yards and three scores. T.J. Moe has been Franklin’s go-to receiver, catching 16 balls for 172 yards and a score. Marcus Lucas has seven receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown, while Wes Kemp has 10 grabs for 114 yards and two scores.

Betting Trends

Oklahoma had won seven straight meetings with Missouri before their 27-36 loss to the Tigers last year. In their last home meeting, the Sooners rolled 62-21 as a 16-point favorite. The underdog is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings in this series.

The Tigers are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a win, but just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 10.5 or greater.

The Sooners are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 games as a home favorite of 10.5 or greater, including 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 10.5 of more.

Take your bankroll to new heights in college football by signing up for a premium package from the world-renown Jack Jones.

Comments

Got something to say?