Houston Cougars (0-1) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (1-0)
September 7, 2024 7:45 pm EDT
The Line: Oklahoma Sooners -21.5 / Houston Cougars +21.5; Over/Under: +57.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Houston Cougars and the Oklahoma Sooners meet on Saturday in college football action from OU Memorial Stadium. Here’s an Oklahoma vs Houston prediction. We will be looking at this from a betting perspective and determining the best Oklahoma vs Houston pick.
Houston Cougars Betting Preview
In 2023 the Cougars had a rough year. Houston went a rough 4-8 overall with a 2-7 record in Big 12 games. That result would leave Houston just three spots out of the basement in the conference standings, ahead of only BYU, Baylor, and Cincinnati.
In their first matchup of the new season versus UNLV, the Cougars gave up points in every quarter during a 27-7 loss. QB Donovan Smith had just 135 yards and two picks. Mekhi Mews caught three balls for 57 yards to top the receivers.
Oklahoma Sooners Betting Preview
Over on the Sooners’ side, they had a fairly successful 2023 season but it ended on a sour note. Oklahoma posted a 10-3 run overall and went 7-2 in the Big 12. That would leave the team in third place and out of the conference championship. In the Alamo Bowl, the Sooners took a 38-24 loss to Arizona.
The good news so far for Oklahoma is that they kicked off the 2024 season with a blowout win. The Sooners jumped out to a 34-0 lead by halftime and ended up winning 51-3. Jackson Arnold threw four TDs, three of which went to Deion Burks, who caught six balls for 36 total yards.
Why the Oklahoma Sooners will win
- Oklahoma has won each of its last 16 games against non-conference opponents at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
- Houston has lost 12 of its last 13 games against AP-ranked teams.
- Oklahoma has covered the spread in seven of its last eight games at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
- Houston has failed to cover the spread in six of its last eight games against AP-ranked teams.
- Oklahoma has won the first half in each of its last 16 games against non-conference opponents at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
- Oklahoma has won the first quarter in each of its last five home games against opponents from the Big 12 Conference.
Why the Houston Cougars will win
- Houston has won six of its last eight matches as an underdog when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- Houston has covered the spread in 10 of its last 11 matches as an underdog when playing with a rest disadvantage.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Houston’s last seven road games in September has gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of Oklahoma’s last six games against non-conference opponents at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Oklahoma ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- Oklahoma ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- Houston ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage this season (1.000).
Oklahoma vs Houston Prediction
I’m going to stay with Oklahoma. The Sooners had very little trouble disposing of an overwhelmed Temple team, bagging 378 yards (217 rushing) along the way. Oklahoma allowed just 197 yards on the other side (128 passing) along with 13 Owls first downs and six turnovers. The Sooners will enter this matchup on quite a high.
As for Houston, they played a pretty rough game Saturday with 10 penalties, two turnovers, 14 first downs, and a 2-of-15 success rate on third-down tries. The Cougars gained just 50 yards on the ground and notched a tepid 4.1 yards per play. That’s not going to cut it against Oklahoma.
