In this article, we will formulate an Oklahoma vs Temple prediction for this College Football game on Friday, August 30th at Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this non-conference matchup in week one.
Oklahoma Sooners Betting Preview
The Oklahoma Sooners went 10-3 (7-2) last season and they finished tied for second in the Big 12 with the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Oklahoma opened the 2023 season with a 73-0 win over Arkansas State, which was part of six straight wins to open the season, before losing back-to-back games against Kansas and Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma finished the regular season with wins over West Virginia, BYU, and TCU, but lost to Arizona in the Alamo Bowl by a score of 38-24. Oklahoma was very sound on both sides of the ball last year, but they did allow 27+ points in six of their last eight games.
Oklahoma’s biggest change this season is at the quarterback position, where Jackson Arnold will be taking over Dillon Gabriel, who transferred to Oregon. Arnold completed 63.8% of his passes for 563 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions in limited time last season. The wide receiver group is definitely a strength for this Oklahoma team and while the defense should be good under Venables, that has not been the case in the past two seasons.
Temple Owls Betting Preview
The Temple Owls were 3-9 (1-7) in 2023 and they finished tied for last in the AAC with East Carolina. Temple started the season with a narrow win over Akron at home and they defeated Norfolk State in their third game, but they went just 1-8 in their last nine games. Temple was terrible on both sides of the ball last season, but their defense allowed 34+ points in eight of their last eleven games. The Owls did play better after their bye week in late October, but it only got them one more win.
Temple will also have a new starting quarterback this season, but they need to improve on their running game, which was the worst in the conference in 2023. Defensively, the Owls added quite a few players in the transfer portal, but they really can’t be much worse than they were last season. If the defense can’t find a way to create more turnovers, this could be another very long year for the Owls.
Why Oklahoma will beat Temple
- Oklahoma has won each of its last 15 games against non-conference opponents at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
- Temple has lost each of its last 14 road games.
- Temple has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight season openers.
- Oklahoma has covered the spread in six of its last seven games at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
- Oklahoma has won the first half in each of its last 15 games against non-conference opponents at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
- Oklahoma has won the first quarter in 11 of its last 13 games against non-conference opponents at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Total Points Facts
- Five of Temple’s last six games against non-conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of Oklahoma’s last five games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Oklahoma ranked 2nd among FBS teams for H1 points per game last season (24.8).
- Oklahoma ranked 3rd among FBS teams for Q1 points per game last season (11.3).
Oklahoma vs Temple Prediction
These two teams come into this season with two very different goals, as Oklahoma looks to get back into the CFP in a new conference, while Temple is just trying to scratch and claw for six wins. This Temple team was very bad last year and while they added a lot of new faces, I think it could take a few weeks to figure out what this team really is.
On the other side, Oklahoma should have no issues moving the ball, even with a new starting quarterback, and I think we are going to see another blowout victory in a season opener for the Sooners. This spread is huge, but I think Oklahoma can cover it with a strong performance.