OU vs BYU

[SoonerBS]

Just can't see the rationale for backing BYU here....both teams have suffered some losses/injuries, but OU is certainly more equipped to reload....however, for argument's sake, lets assume they are both substantially similar same as last year....

These teams actually had 2 common opponents last year, TCU and Washington......the only game I didn't see fully was the TCU/Oklahoma game, but OU went up 35-3 into the 4th before a late TD by TCU (although TCU did play them tough from what I understand).....I watched the other 3 games in full and there is one HUGE difference here.....the speed of OU will be way too much for BYU...it is so obvious to me...yes, Hall is good...blah, blah, blah...sooner defense will shut this offense down just like TCU did last season....and Bradford will have no probelm carving up this cougar defense (that gave up 30+ in 4 of last 6 regular season MWC games)..

Not making a big play on OU here, as crazy things can happen late with big leads and a team that can throw.....but no rationale for backing the cougars IMO....I really see a 49-14 type game....

GL

I'm concerned with Oklahoma's linebacking corps. Right now, they are good with just the starters they have, but their depth is thin since Balogun and Wort have been injured or ineligible. If no one else gets hurt, they'll be fine, but if they lose a starter on this squad, they could really be in trouble. Also, these two guys were expected to get a lot of play rotating with the starters. Their absence will mean the starters will have to go longer or less experienced players will have to rotate in.

Other than that, I think the offensive line is going to be fine for this game. BYU has more problems to solve than Oklahoma does in this match-up, but the line in my opinion is about right in this game. If it were to drop below 21, I might get interested in playing it.

[pags11]

jimmymo,

I respectfully disagree with your analysis on the game...I'm not saying that OU won't cover, but I think you are overestimating OU coming into the game and underestimating BYU as well...you know I have a tremendous amount of respect of your handicapping ability but I don't think this game is that easy...laying 3 TD's plus on a neutral site against a well-coached team, senior QB, senior RB, senior TE (ranked 2nd by Mel Kiper behind Grisham)...plus OU's defense, even with 8 guys back, still isn't stout in my opinion...I could see BYU scoring 21-27
points in this game and OU in the 40-49 range...I need to do more research on this game to give further analysis...

[stats13]

I'm with JimmyMo... OK might drop 55 here. byu should struggle to get 30... hell ok might crack 60.

byu isnt that good, fellas. utah scored almost 50 on them last year. this isn't utah they are playing now either, its a pissedoff and hungry ou team.

[VenomLugz]

Check it out!

BYU vs OU 1994 Copper Bowl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQs_ycUOW4c

[footballmoney]

Byu season ticket holder here. I will be flying to Dallas for the game. Why I will not be betting this game, all rationale points to Oklahoma covering the spread. BYU's defensive backs are slow and Oklahoma will exploit the secondary. Realistically speaking the game will be similiar to the TCU @ Oklahoma game last year. Byu does not bode well with speed. I hope I am wrong, but Oklahoma should roll!

[footballmoney]

I'm with JimmyMo... OK might drop 55 here. byu should struggle to get 30... hell ok might crack 60.

byu isnt that good, fellas. utah scored almost 50 on them last year. this isn't utah they are playing now either, its a pissedoff and hungry ou team.

BYU is descent, five interceptions led to the 48 points scored. Game was tight midway through the third quarter. BYU did get hammered by TCU though (which is a better team than Utah) Oklahoma should cover though.

[SoonerBS]

Footballmoney, how are BYU's latest injuries going to play out for the team? Have they been key injuries?

[jimmymo]

jimmymo,

I respectfully disagree with your analysis on the game...I'm not saying that OU won't cover, but I think you are overestimating OU coming into the game and underestimating BYU as well...you know I have a tremendous amount of respect of your handicapping ability but I don't think this game is that easy...laying 3 TD's plus on a neutral site against a well-coached team, senior QB, senior RB, senior TE (ranked 2nd by Mel Kiper behind Grisham)...plus OU's defense, even with 8 guys back, still isn't stout in my opinion...I could see BYU scoring 21-27
points in this game and OU in the 40-49 range...I need to do more research on this game to give further analysis...

Well pags, I do know that if I end up opposite you on too many games I am looking for trouble...maybe not a great omen for my first thought here.

Can BYU cover? Of course they can -- I see it in a scenario where they either win the TO battle by 2+ and/or OU's offense comes out with a sub-par, out of sync performance....by that, I mean they score in the low 30's....I do agree that BYU may score 20 here, but would be very surprised if it was much more.....if OU has a "par" offensive performance, I think they go mid 40's here.

I will say this --- I think anything above 21 is not worth playing.....like I said above, this is not a big play by any stretch..

GL this season....always love your stuff.

[first48]

This will be my biggest play.....BYU is to slow for OKLA spread off. I think its more like OKLA 49 BYU 17

BYU loss to much on off..Hall is a good QB but there weak in the secondary on deense and that spell route verse a great spread off.

I really see a rematch of last yr. championship game....TX will be Okla only bump thi yr. Good luck this season

[SoonerBS]

jimmymo,

I respectfully disagree with your analysis on the game...I'm not saying that OU won't cover, but I think you are overestimating OU coming into the game and underestimating BYU as well...you know I have a tremendous amount of respect of your handicapping ability but I don't think this game is that easy...laying 3 TD's plus on a neutral site against a well-coached team, senior QB, senior RB, senior TE (ranked 2nd by Mel Kiper behind Grisham)...plus OU's defense, even with 8 guys back, still isn't stout in my opinion...I could see BYU scoring 21-27
points in this game and OU in the 40-49 range...I need to do more research on this game to give further analysis...

I wasn't going to play this game at all, Pags, and may still stay off of it, BUT it is becoming a bit more appealing as the game gets near and the BYU players are starting to drop out like dead flies. This team came into the season with only 1 returning starter on the offensive line. He now has a broken hand and may not be ready to play by this game. Even if he is, I doubt that he will be in playing shape. They have lost offensive lineman starter, Jason Speredon for the season. Houston Reynolds was just a freshman OL, but he was working with the second string before being injured and out for the season. Their offensive line is starting to look very thin and inexperienced. Now, couple this with what they are going to face whenever they square off against the speed and power of Oklahoma's defensive line on this game -- we're talking a HUGE mismatch in the trenches!

Defensively the Cougars were not bad against the run last year, but they were not good against the pass either. They keep their defensive front, but they replace a CB and SS that are both very questionable in the secondary. To complicate the CB position, Brandon Howard, a back-up and possible starter for the team left for personal reasons. The DE position has had to back-ups leave and will not be playing this season leaving this position very thin. Why is this important? Besides the obvious, Oklahoma runs a fast paced offense. This means BYU will likely tire quick in this game and Oklahoma will have their way with them in the second half.

As has already been mentioned in this thread, and I concur, Oklahoma literally ran over TCU last year. Now, it's just my opinion after watching several Mountain West games last season, but I believe TCU was the best team in the MWC last season. This year the MWC drops in talent across the board. I don't think BYU is as near as good as last year's TCU team.

As for this being a neutral site, I don't think so. There are more Oklahoma fans in the Dallas metropolitan area than there is in Norman, OK. I'm not kidding. Plus, Oklahoma fans travel very well and love an excuse to go to the Dallas area for a weekend of fun. Can you believe the Mormons are going to do the same? I don't think so. This will be a dominant Oklahoma crowd.

I'm not afraid to buy points, so I may buy this under -21 and play it. I will wait until I see what goes down this week in practice though.

[pags11]

jimmymo,

appreciate your comments back...looking forward to a good year with you...

soonerbs,

I think you have some very valid points, I just have this game continuing to pop out to me...Max Hall 13 of 14 in a scrimmage yesterday...I have learned many things in all my years, and a senior QB with talent makes up for a lot of weaknesses elsewhere...

[SoonerBS]

jimmymo,

appreciate your comments back...looking forward to a good year with you...

soonerbs,

I think you have some very valid points, I just have this game continuing to pop out to me...Max Hall 13 of 14 in a scrimmage yesterday...I have learned many things in all my years, and a senior QB with talent makes up for a lot of weaknesses elsewhere...

I read all the reports as well, but I also consider the defense he is throwing against and right now that defense does not look too sound . . . .

Damn, it's good to be discussing football with you . . .

[jimmymo]

Two more injuries for BYU to keep an eye on, although they don't look serious -- starting safety Scott Johnsen got steamrolled by Tonga and suffered a concussion....Unga with a hamstring injury (but menendhall said he will be playing against OU)....

On the other hand, Manase Tonga just recently got cleared to play...the guy is a beast....tonga and unga in the backfield is a load for any team..

Right now Reynolds is the biggest ? for the OL (health wise).....even if he plays against OU, tough to be 100% w/o practicing for 3 weeks....holding out willing is just precautionary i understand...

apparently there is a current depth chart going up today....just need to find it online.

[jimmymo]

Just listented to an interview with Scott Reynolds....he discussed his timetable a couple of times....first saying that he should be back a "couple games into the season"...then later saying "hopefully by game 1 or game 2, but if it takes longer then so be it"....also saying he isn't feeling any pressure to hurry his return...right now, i would have to guess he misses teh OU game...he will see a DR either tomorrow or wednesday and get pictures...we should know more by then.

[pags11]

appreciate the updated info. jimmymo...

[james4512]

i dont know that much about BYU but the biggest factor will be their defensive line, if they can get after bradford they have a chance to cover if there d line is small and doesnt put much pressure on him OU covers by 10+. So whoever answers that question will win this bet

[dle]

I'm taking BYU +21.5 and that's not a knock on OU...that's a knock on bookies giving me a line that generous for a BYU team that may stay in this one throughout.

[crackerjack]

BYU grad here and I watch every game and follow the team religiously. This is one where I stay away... All signs point to OU rolling over the Cougs in this one. But BYU has a way of playing up to competition (and down to competition as well) in big, non-conf games. I think that they could cover the spread, but an inexperienced OL has to scare anybody... They won't be able to run much and will rely on the pass. That's not a bad thing, but when Max doesn't get time, he makes bad passes. OU could get a few defensive scores. Personally, I think the play is U68. That's a lot of points, esp for first game of the season. Of course, OU could score 68 by themselves. I just think it will be more of a 24-10 type game.

[pags11]

good thread here...one more week fellas...

[soonerfan]

The reports i've been hearing lately on OU's recievers are not very good. Other than Gresham nobody has really had a good camp. There's been a few bright spots, but nobody's been consistant. This worries me. The O line seems to be looking better and Murray is practicing again. Hopefully the situation with the LB's will be resolved soon.

[pags11]

thanks for that info. soonerfan...

[SoonerBS]

The reports i've been hearing lately on OU's recievers are not very good. Other than Gresham nobody has really had a good camp. There's been a few bright spots, but nobody's been consistant. This worries me. The O line seems to be looking better and Murray is practicing again. Hopefully the situation with the LB's will be resolved soon.

SF, consider the defense they have to play against day in and day out in practice. That alone would tend to cause some inconsistencies.

Oklahoma has more speed than BYU and BYU's secondary is very questionable coming into this season. The combination of Oklahoma's run game and passing game will keep BYU off balanced this entire game. Also, I do not think that BYU has played against a "no huddle" offense of this caliber. I know they have had an entire offseason to prepare for it, but they have had to run against a lot less talented players than they are going to see that day.

We already know that Stoops will let the ponies run even whenever the score gets high and he will insist that the defense keeps the pressure on. A big win in this game sets the standards for the entire season. Everybody can think what they want, and I can fade my team as well as play on them any day, but this is looking more and more favorable for an Oklahoma cover.

[pags11]

soonerbs,

you are talking about this game as though BYU is going to roll over and die after the ball is kicked off...I've watched this BYU team over the years and they have a way of playing up (and down) to their competition...senior QB, senior TE, senior RB, senior FB, good defensive line, these guys aren't going to be an easy win...OU may cover but BYU will bring their best effort...a turnover here or there, or bad special teams play (as OU consistantly displayed last year, especially with their kickoff coverage) and this game gets closer than people think it will be...asking a team who had trouble stopping people defensively last year, with as many question marks to their linebacking corps as they currently have, combined with them playing a veteran team (on a neutral site albiet) and I think the BYU side is worthy of consideration...

[SoonerBS]

soonerbs,

you are talking about this game as though BYU is going to roll over and die after the ball is kicked off...I've watched this BYU team over the years and they have a way of playing up (and down) to their competition...senior QB, senior TE, senior RB, senior FB, good defensive line, these guys aren't going to be an easy win...OU may cover but BYU will bring their best effort...a turnover here or there, or bad special teams play (as OU consistantly displayed last year, especially with their kickoff coverage) and this game gets closer than people think it will be...asking a team who had trouble stopping people defensively last year, with as many question marks to their linebacking corps as they currently have, combined with them playing a veteran team (on a neutral site albiet) and I think the BYU side is worthy of consideration...

The Mountain West conference is one of my favorite conferences and I know that they can all play and I respect the teams very much. But, I think like TCU last year against the Sooners, BYU is outclassed bad in this game. I will not be making a big play on Oklahoma in this spot, but I will have to play them.

[soonerfan]

SF, consider the defense they have to play against day in and day out in practice. That alone would tend to cause some inconsistencies.

Oklahoma has more speed than BYU and BYU's secondary is very questionable coming into this season. The combination of Oklahoma's run game and passing game will keep BYU off balanced this entire game. Also, I do not think that BYU has played against a "no huddle" offense of this caliber. I know they have had an entire offseason to prepare for it, but they have had to run against a lot less talented players than they are going to see that day.

We already know that Stoops will let the ponies run even whenever the score gets high and he will insist that the defense keeps the pressure on. A big win in this game sets the standards for the entire season. Everybody can think what they want, and I can fade my team as well as play on them any day, but this is looking more and more favorable for an Oklahoma cover.

You make some very good points. I've followed OU my whole life and have been betting their games now for a few years and have done very well. Normally I don't have any problem pulling the trigger on their games either way but for some reason I can't decide on this one. Maybe I should leave it alone.

[SoonerBS]

You make some very good points. I've followed OU my whole life and have been betting their games now for a few years and have done very well. Normally I don't have any problem pulling the trigger on their games either way but for some reason I can't decide on this one. Maybe I should leave it alone.

I was going to be content to leave it alone, but the news about the Oklahoma offensive line coming together and looking good AND with the injury news about BYU's players, I decided to take another look at this. There are now too many factors weighing in Oklahoma's favor to cover this game for me to simply ignore it. I will not play this big by any means, but I will make a play on Oklahoma.

[pags11]

TCU and Cincinnati played AT OU, huge difference with this game being in Arlington...also, neither of those teams had Max Hall at QB...not the same scenario...

[Team Ramrod]

OU covers easily in this game. BYU is hurt and you can prepare all you want but you cant prepare for speed if you dont have it yourself. The Sooners O-Line is yes inexperienced as a whole but the majority of these guys got alot of playing time last year so its not like this is a new group. Bradford has a go to guy in the TE which is going to be a major matchup problem for any team because hes much faster than the opposing teams LB and can punk a secondary guy if they choose to cover him that way. With all the attention Jermaine is gonna get is gonna free up the WR's. The backfield is solid with Brown, Murray, and Madu(when he's not playing flanker) is solid and we have a good one waiting in the wings named Jermie Calhoun. Now the LB corp is the real question mark if nobody gets injuried we will be OK but that is alot to ask for and we just had a freshman stud go down for the year who was gonna get alot PT. Secondary and DLine is as solid as it gets and may be the best that Stoops has had.

[pags11]

sounds like you are an OU fan...thanks for your objectivity...

[Intuitive_Edge]

BYU is descent, five interceptions led to the 48 points scored. Game was tight midway through the third quarter. BYU did get hammered by TCU though (which is a better team than Utah) Oklahoma should cover though.

TCU is better.. Utah was lucky to get as far as they did.

[SoonerBS]

TCU and Cincinnati played AT OU, huge difference with this game being in Arlington...also, neither of those teams had Max Hall at QB...not the same scenario...

Not nearly as big a difference as what it looks like on paper, Pags. BYU fans will not travel well to this game and not only WILL Oklahoma fans travel well, but there is a very large Sooner contingency already present around the Dallas area. Make no mistake, this will be a pro-Sooner crowd present at this game.

[jimmymo]

BYU loses a potential starting CB in Brian Logan to a broken hand today......that said, Robbie Buckner looks like his hammy will be fine for OU......lastly, Matt Reynolds saw some action today with the 1st team...not sure this means he was going in contact drills and is expected to play, but a plus for BYU any way you slice it.

[pags11]

soonerbs,

say what you want about the fan base in the stadium, but Arlington is not Norman...it's not the same stadium that intimidates other teams...it's a neutral site no matter how you slice it up...

[SoonerBS]

soonerbs,

say what you want about the fan base in the stadium, but Arlington is not Norman...it's not the same stadium that intimidates other teams...it's a neutral site no matter how you slice it up...

[VenomLugz]

anyone will bet BYU +21 or OU -21?