- Texas vs. Oklahoma kicks off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
- With John Mateer hurt and Arch Manning playing poorly, expect a puntfest.
- Oklahoma’s defense ranks No. 1 in EPA/pass allowed.
Grab your big pretzel and roller coaster passes, because it’s once again time for Oklahoma and Texas at the Texas State Fair.
This is a game that many college football analysts circled in the offseason as one of the season’s premier games. Yet as Week 7 arrives, the game once referred to as the Red River Shootout will feature a noticeable lack of offense.
That’s where my handicap begins.
Texas vs. Oklahoma Odds
- Point Spread: Texas -3
- Moneyline: Texas -150 | Oklahoma +125
- Over/Under: 42.5
Texas vs. Oklahoma Preview
The 121st Red River Showdown will feature one starting quarterback who’s a backup and another who’s playing like a benchwarmer.
On the Oklahoma side, sophomore Michael Hawkins will start his second straight game after John Mateer was sidelined with a broken bone in his hand. The Texas defense will be a bit of a step up from last week’s sojourn against punching bag Kent State.
Hawkins also played in the Texas game last year. He finished with 148 passing yards and zero touchdowns. Oklahoma scored three points.
Without Mateer, Oklahoma could struggle against strong opponents, which explains why unranked Texas is a nominal favorite in this game. But the Longhorns are coming off a loss to Florida and have largely disappointed this year, with most of the struggles coming on offense. Arch Manning, the preseason Heisman favorite, has been a genuine bust in his first full season as a starter.
Against Oklahoma’s No. 1 passing defense, this could be a long day for Manning.
Texas vs. Oklahoma Prediction
I am predicting Under 42.5 in Saturday’s game between Oklahoma and Texas.
Normally, I love to look for unranked favorites playing against ranked AP Top 25 dogs. With Texas football odds priced as the favored side of this game, I lean toward the Longhorns.
But in this case, with the variance cranked up because of the quarterback weirdness, I would much prefer to trust the defenses to dominate. This should be an ugly, punt-filled rivalry game more than anything else.
Prediction: Under 42.5
Bet on College Football at BetMGM
At BetMGM, you can bet on college football with updated college football lines, Same Game Parlays, college football live betting, and more.
The best online sports betting experiences are at the BetMGM sportsbook throughout the season.
Sign in to your account today — or, if you don’t have an account, sign up today with a sportsbook welcome bonus — to start betting. And don’t forget to check updated sportsbook bonuses and promos each day of the year.
The content provided in this blog is intended for entertainment purposes only. All views and opinions expressed are the authors and reflect their individual perspectives on sports, betting, and related topics. This content should not be considered professional betting advice or the official views of BetMGM LLC. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know is experiencing issues related to gambling, seek help from a licensed health professional. This blog is not liable for any losses, damages, or consequences resulting from betting activities.
