The UCF Knights and the Oklahoma Sooners meet Saturday in college football action from OU Memorial Stadium. UCF is 3-3 overall this year and coming off a bye week. The Knights lost to Kansas in a blowout during their last appearance. As for Oklahoma, they were inactive last weekend as well. The Sooners boast an undefeated 6-0 record following a four-point win over Texas back on October 7. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
UCF Knights
The Knights got off to a nice start this year with three straight victories. Those came 56-6 versus Kent State, 18-16 over Boise State and 48-14 in the Villanova matchup. UCF has run into some trouble over their last three games, however. The Knights lost to Kansas State 44-31, Baylor 36-35 and Kansas 51-22 in that trio of outings.
In a tough Kansas matchup back on October 7 in their last outing, the Knights were down 24-0 at the break and gave up points in every quarter. UCF quarterback Timmy McClain finished with 136 yards and two scores, while RJ Harvey led the rush with 133 yards and a score off 16 carries. Javon Baker added 85 yards from four catches.
UCF Knights Team Facts
- UCF has lost each of its last four games against conference opponents.
- UCF has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games against conference opponents.
- UCF has lost the first half in each of its last three road games against conference opponents.
- Each of UCF’s last six road games against conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Oklahoma Sooners
Over on the Sooners’ side, it’s been smooth sailing so far. Oklahoma has dispatched all six of their opponents so far—with only one game really being close. The Sooners were able to take out Arkansas State 73-0, SMU 28-11, Tulsa 66-17, Cincinnati 20-6 and Iowa State 50-20 in the first five games, then powered out a 34-30 road win over Texas in their last outing.
On the road versus Texas on October 7 in their last game, the Sooners traded punches with the Longhorns for the entire game. Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel managed 285 yards and a passing touchdown, with most of the work going to Jalil Farooq on five catches for 130 yards. Gabriel also led the rush with 113 yards and another score on 14 carries.
Oklahoma Sooners Team Facts
- The team ranked 6th in the AP Poll has won each of its last eight games.
- Oklahoma has covered the spread in each of its last seven games.
- Oklahoma has won the first quarter in four of its last five games against conference opponents.
- Oklahoma has won the first half in each of its last six games against conference opponents.
- Each of Oklahoma’s last five October games at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Oklahoma rank 4th among FBS teams for points per game this season (45.2).
- Oklahoma rank 11th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (14.0).
- UCF rank T29th among FBS teams for points per game this season (35.0).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ve got to stick with Oklahoma in this one, even though the line’s too thick to mess with. The Sooners stood tall in a great win over a top-tier Texas team in their last outing, compiling 486 yards (201 rushing), 6.0 yards per play, 28 first downs, zero turnovers and just four penalties. Oklahoma gave up 527 yards (371 passing) on the other side but also held the Longhorns to just 5-of-14 on third-down tries and had three takeaways. The Sooners have scored 28 or more points in five of their six games so far this year and should have no issues scoring against UCF.
Speaking of the Knights, they’ve had some pretty good offensive performances this year with 31 or more points in four of six games. UCF is going to have a very hard time finding the scoreboard in this one though, barring a complete meltdown by the Sooners defense. In all likelihood, this game won’t be close for long after it begins.
