Texas Tech vs Oklahoma Wagering Outlook

Their may be encounters that will mean more this weekend to fans of particular teams, but no game will have greater importance on the national scope than this Big 12 battle. Texas Tech can end some the drama by taking down once-beaten Oklahoma and essentially winning the Big 12 South, with just Baylor at home and holding all the tie-breakers. Oklahoma can screw up the Big 12 big time by roughing up the unbeaten Red Raiders and if they win by 10 or more points at Oklahoma State next week, they would probably gather enough support to play in conference championship game, even though Texas had beaten the Sooners and they would have the same 11-1 record.

Senior signal caller Graham Harrell has had a special season and as opposed to other Texas Tech quarterbacks under coach Mike Leach, looks to have real NFL ability, needing to add a some weight. Being able to throw to receivers like Michael Crabtree makes his job easier, nonetheless a formerly underrated offensive line allows all the routes to develop and a trio of running backs with different skills makes them go. For the first time in Leach’s nine year tenure, he has a defense that makes stops and can prevent the other team from scoring. The Red Raiders are 5-4 ATS on the road versus ranked teams the last decade.

The Oklahoma offense has been boiling hot. In their last three games, they have averaged 47.3 points per game in the first half! Since losing to Texas, the Sooners offense has gone into another gear led by Sam Bradford and can control its own destiny of sorts. "Our team is in a great position," said Bradford. "We still have a lot of our goals out in front of us." The Oklahoma defense has been quite vulnerable to the pass (95th in the country), yet still ranks ahead of Texas Tech (99th) or Texas (112th) in quarterback controlled conference. The Sooners are 20-12 ATS in home finales at Norman.

Oklahoma is 7-3 ATS against ranked teams and the running game has been the difference for the increase in offensive production. Since netting 48 yards rushing against Texas, a very good Sooners offensive line has opened up holes that Oklahoma running backs have sauntered thru for 250 yards per game. Bob Stoops secondary may be lousy, but he will make sure to keep Harrell busy with a solid pass rush, something neither Oklahoma State nor Texas could do. Boomer Sooner is 7-0 ATS after gaining 6.25 or more yards play in three consecutive games and Texas Tech is 2-10 ATS on the road after out-gaining opposition by 100 or more total yards in three consecutive games.

Besides having to play at Norman, Texas Tech beat Oklahoma 34-27 at Lubbock last season, ending their BCS title hopes and will face a team looking for payback. Do you really think coach Leach is worried? He’s not, after watching Oklahoma surrender over 327 yards passing thru the air against a bunch of average Big 12 teams. A big reason why Oklahoma has look so formidable of late is they have forced 15 turnovers in last four contests, have Harrell be careful passing the pigskin and yards and points should be plentiful. The Red Raiders are well aware of the Sooners prowess in moving the ball on the ground; however Oklahoma is 8-22 ATS after gaining 275 or more rushing yards last game.

Bookmaker.com has home-standing Sooners as 7-point favorites with total of 75.5. The total is certainly inviting with the two schools a combined 14-3 OVER this season.

The visiting team is 5-3 ATS, though these encounters have not necessarily been close with the victor having a margin of 10+ points seven of last nine. Set aside four hours of your time if you plan on watching this one on ABC at 8 Eastern.