Oklahoma (0-0) vs Temple (0-0)
Game Info: Friday, August 30, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium)
Betting Odds: Oklahoma -43.5 / Temple +43.5 --- Over/Under: 59.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Temple Owls and Oklahoma Sooners meet Friday in week 1 college football action at Memorial Stadium. Here’s an Oklahoma vs Temple Prediction. This article will include an Oklahoma vs Temple Pick.
Temple Owls Betting Preview
The Temple Owls have won 3 games in each of the last 3 seasons and enter the third year under coach Stan Drayton. Temple hasn’t reached a bowl game since the 2019 season. Temple has two capable quarterbacks in Rutgers transfer Evan Simon and Zak Baines, and there’s stability at running back, with Joquez Smith and Antwain Littleton leading the way. The problem is, Temple has questions along the offensive line and at the receiver position.
Defensively, Temple says goodbye to its top-6 tacklers, but Elijah Deravil returns after 40 tackles, Diwun Black had 3.5 sacks and Tra Thomas had 3 quarterback hurries. Temple hasn't done much over the last four years and isn’t expected to do much this season with a lack of talent and experience. Temple has the worst odds to win the AAC this season, and it’s not really close.
Oklahoma Sooners Betting Preview
The Oklahoma Sooners are coming off a 10-win season to extend their bowl streak to 25 years. Brent Venables enters his third season as head coach as the Sooners begin their SEC era. Jackson Arnold takes over at quarterback after 69 pass attempts last season for 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Oklahoma has an entire new offensive line which doesn’t help, but the Sooners have an elite receiving corps with Andrel Anthony, Nic Anderson and Jalil Farooq returning. Deion Burks also comes in from Purdue and had 7 touchdowns last year with the Boilermakers.
Defensively, Danny Stutsman returns after leading Oklahoma with 104 tackles, Ethan Downs had 4.5 sacks and Billy Bowman Jr. had 6 interceptions. Stutsman is one of the best linebackers in the country, and the Sooners secondary is as good as any. Oklahoma has a great defense and great receivers, but breaking in a new offensive line, quarterback, and offensive coordinator raise serious questions on that side of the ball. There’s cautious upside with Oklahoma this season.
Why the Oklahoma Sooners will win
- Oklahoma has won 22 of its last 23 games against non-conference opponents at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
- Temple has lost 20 of its last 21 road games.
- Temple has failed to cover the spread in each of its last five road openers.
- Oklahoma has covered the spread in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
- Temple has lost the first half in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Four of Oklahoma's last five games against non-conference opponents at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of Temple's last five road games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Oklahoma ranked 4th among FBS teams for points per game last season (41.7).
- Oklahoma ranked 4th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game last season (13.5).
Oklahoma vs Temple Prediction
The Temple Owls aren't going to be good this season, but 43.5 points in a season opener feels a little rich. As talented as the Oklahoma Sooners may be in some area, they have a brand new offensive line, quarterback and coaching staff. Oklahoma will win this game off of talent alone, but you're relying on a lot of new faces to jell so fast. This is the biggest favorite Oklahoma has been since a 2021 game against Western Carolina. I'm not eager to lay this number on the first week of the season. Give me the boatload of points with the Temple Owls.
Randy’s Pick Temple +43.5
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
Mitch's Take...
