Oklahoma, Texas Tech top weekend betting
Oklahoma, Texas Tech top weekend betting
Norman will be the setting for the weekend's most important college football game between No. 2 Texas Tech and No. 5 Oklahoma with the Sooners looking to end the Red Raiders dream season.
Truth is indeed out of style. Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez had this to say to the Associated Press on Monday:
“It’s amazing some of the things that people would say or yell at you of a personal nature. You almost want to tell them, ‘Get a life.’ There’s a whole lot bigger problems. Look at the economy.”
Then the college football press proved Rodriguez’ point by attacking him personally. First, they extracted those three little words from the rest of Rodriguez’ statement, as if he had directly told people to get a life. Then they nailed him for bringing up how bad the economy is – because he’s coaching in Michigan, where the auto industry in on the brink of ruin.
This toxic environment is where most college football fans live. They get their “information” from columnists who treat the sport like an ongoing morality play featuring heroes and villains. Don’t let them compromise your ability to separate fact from opinion – instead, celebrate the fact that square bettors buy into the media spin cycle. They are giving you their money.
Michigan at No. 10 Ohio State (-20½)
Saturday, Nov 22, 12:00 p.m. (ET) ABC
Not that Coach Rodriguez is beyond criticism. As the architect of Michigan’s rebuilding process, he shoulders the responsibility for their historically poor 3-8 record (2-9 ATS). However, the Wolverines have been losing games to the Buckeyes long before Rodriguez set foot in Ann Arbor. Michigan is 1-6 SU and 2-5 ATS versus Ohio State since 2001 – the year Jim Tressel took over the Buckeyes.
Ohio State has taken its own share of flak this year just for being Ohio State. After losing the national championship game two years in a row, the Buckeyes got roasted (including in this space) for starting the 2008 season 0-4 ATS and losing 35-3 at USC (-10.5). But OSU has won five of six at 4-2 ATS to get back into Rose Bowl contention.
Reports suggest Michigan quarterback Steven Threet (nine TDs, seven INTs) will miss this contest with a shoulder injury; Nick Sheridan (two TDs, five INTs) would be his replacement. Right tackle Stephen Schilling is listed as questionable with a sprained knee.
No. 14 BYU at No. 7 Utah (-7)
Saturday, Nov 22, 6:00 p.m. (ET)
The rivalry between the Cougars (10-1 SU, 3-7 ATS) and the Utes (11-0 SU, 6-3-1 ATS) is even more acrimonious than Michigan-Ohio State. Speaking of morality plays, this football game is not just a “Holy War” between church and state, but also between “BYU-fan Mormons” and “Utah-fan Mormons.” Utah is 4-3 SU and ATS since LaVell Edwards retired as BYU’s coach.
The betting odds and the advanced stats are both in Utah’s favor. Brian Fremeau has the Utes ranked No. 23 in the nation in efficiency, with Brigham Young trailing at No. 55. Quality of competition and winning margins are the basis for these stats; Utah beat a very strong TCU team 13-10 as 2-point home dogs, while the visiting Cougars lost 32-7 to the Horned Frogs as 1½-point puppies.
No. 2 Texas Tech at No. 5 Oklahoma (-6½)
Saturday, Nov 22, 8:00 p.m. (ET) ABC
There isn’t nearly as much of a rivalry between the Red Raiders (10-0 SU, 5-2-1 ATS) and the Sooners (9-1 SU, 7-2 ATS), but that won’t stop Oklahoma from seeking revenge Sunday night. Tech spoiled the Sooners’ title hopes last year with a 34-27 win as 7½-point dogs in Lubbock. OU was 5-1 SU and ATS against the Raiders before that contest.
There are two important considerations before reading too much into last year’s result. One, Sooners QB Sam Bradford was knocked out of the game during the first quarter with Oklahoma up 7-3. Two, the Red Raiders are in the driver’s seat for this year’s title game, and market reports have Tech pulling in about 75 percent of the action against the spread.
Perhaps bettors are dazzled by Mike Leach’s offense. However, Brian Fremeau has the Sooners offense ranked No. 1 in the nation in adjusted efficiency with Tech an incredibly close second. The Raiders are ranked much higher on defense (No. 16 to No. 34); both teams are considered average at best on special teams (No. 72 to No. 78). OU will need that revenge factor to cash in.
Norman will be the setting for the weekend's most important college football game between No. 2 Texas Tech and No. 5 Oklahoma with the Sooners looking to end the Red Raiders dream season.
Truth is indeed out of style. Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez had this to say to the Associated Press on Monday:
“It’s amazing some of the things that people would say or yell at you of a personal nature. You almost want to tell them, ‘Get a life.’ There’s a whole lot bigger problems. Look at the economy.”
Then the college football press proved Rodriguez’ point by attacking him personally. First, they extracted those three little words from the rest of Rodriguez’ statement, as if he had directly told people to get a life. Then they nailed him for bringing up how bad the economy is – because he’s coaching in Michigan, where the auto industry in on the brink of ruin.
This toxic environment is where most college football fans live. They get their “information” from columnists who treat the sport like an ongoing morality play featuring heroes and villains. Don’t let them compromise your ability to separate fact from opinion – instead, celebrate the fact that square bettors buy into the media spin cycle. They are giving you their money.
Michigan at No. 10 Ohio State (-20½)
Saturday, Nov 22, 12:00 p.m. (ET) ABC
Not that Coach Rodriguez is beyond criticism. As the architect of Michigan’s rebuilding process, he shoulders the responsibility for their historically poor 3-8 record (2-9 ATS). However, the Wolverines have been losing games to the Buckeyes long before Rodriguez set foot in Ann Arbor. Michigan is 1-6 SU and 2-5 ATS versus Ohio State since 2001 – the year Jim Tressel took over the Buckeyes.
Ohio State has taken its own share of flak this year just for being Ohio State. After losing the national championship game two years in a row, the Buckeyes got roasted (including in this space) for starting the 2008 season 0-4 ATS and losing 35-3 at USC (-10.5). But OSU has won five of six at 4-2 ATS to get back into Rose Bowl contention.
Reports suggest Michigan quarterback Steven Threet (nine TDs, seven INTs) will miss this contest with a shoulder injury; Nick Sheridan (two TDs, five INTs) would be his replacement. Right tackle Stephen Schilling is listed as questionable with a sprained knee.
No. 14 BYU at No. 7 Utah (-7)
Saturday, Nov 22, 6:00 p.m. (ET)
The rivalry between the Cougars (10-1 SU, 3-7 ATS) and the Utes (11-0 SU, 6-3-1 ATS) is even more acrimonious than Michigan-Ohio State. Speaking of morality plays, this football game is not just a “Holy War” between church and state, but also between “BYU-fan Mormons” and “Utah-fan Mormons.” Utah is 4-3 SU and ATS since LaVell Edwards retired as BYU’s coach.
The betting odds and the advanced stats are both in Utah’s favor. Brian Fremeau has the Utes ranked No. 23 in the nation in efficiency, with Brigham Young trailing at No. 55. Quality of competition and winning margins are the basis for these stats; Utah beat a very strong TCU team 13-10 as 2-point home dogs, while the visiting Cougars lost 32-7 to the Horned Frogs as 1½-point puppies.
No. 2 Texas Tech at No. 5 Oklahoma (-6½)
Saturday, Nov 22, 8:00 p.m. (ET) ABC
There isn’t nearly as much of a rivalry between the Red Raiders (10-0 SU, 5-2-1 ATS) and the Sooners (9-1 SU, 7-2 ATS), but that won’t stop Oklahoma from seeking revenge Sunday night. Tech spoiled the Sooners’ title hopes last year with a 34-27 win as 7½-point dogs in Lubbock. OU was 5-1 SU and ATS against the Raiders before that contest.
There are two important considerations before reading too much into last year’s result. One, Sooners QB Sam Bradford was knocked out of the game during the first quarter with Oklahoma up 7-3. Two, the Red Raiders are in the driver’s seat for this year’s title game, and market reports have Tech pulling in about 75 percent of the action against the spread.
Perhaps bettors are dazzled by Mike Leach’s offense. However, Brian Fremeau has the Sooners offense ranked No. 1 in the nation in adjusted efficiency with Tech an incredibly close second. The Raiders are ranked much higher on defense (No. 16 to No. 34); both teams are considered average at best on special teams (No. 72 to No. 78). OU will need that revenge factor to cash in.