The Oklahoma Sooners are expecting another very good season. \u00a0Almost all polls have them in the top 5 as this talented team is returning a lot of experience too. \u00a0Oklahoma is always in the argument but hasn\u2019t won a championship in a while. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
Oklahoma Sooners vs UTEP Miners Matchup<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Preview<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The last time they were in the BCS was 5 years ago when they lost to Florida.<\/p>\n With the Big 12 undergoing some changes in the pecking order with new teams joining an undefeated season is a real possibility.<\/p>\n OU returns 8 offensive starters from a team that scored 39.2 point sper game last season. \u00a0But it was really a tale of two season as the offense wasn\u2019t nearly the same without departed receiver Ryan Broyles in the lineup.<\/p>\n This year they should have a very good and deep receiving corps not dominated by a single player. \u00a0Broyles had 21 more catches than anybody else and didn\u2019t play in several games.<\/p>\n It is rare for a team of Oklahoma\u2019s stature to begin the season on the road, especially at a team like UTEP. \u00a0They are certainly easing into the year with the Miners, then Florida A&M, followed by a bye week. \u00a0With their explosive offense big numbers are not uncommon for OU.<\/p>\n In the last two season they have had three games where they were favoured by 30 or more. \u00a0They are only 1-2 ATS in those contests.\u00a0[soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n The UTEP Miners are never horrible but after 6 straight losing seasons coach Mike Price is on the hot seat. \u00a0It won\u2019t help matters that three of the first 4 games are against BCS heavyweights Oklahoma, Mississippi and Wisconsin. \u00a0Truth is when I look at their schedule this team could easily be a one or two win team this season.<\/p>\n Lucky for them division mates Rice and Tulane aren\u2019t much better.<\/p>\n Like the Sooners the Miners also return 8 starters on offense.<\/p>\n There was a time when Price was considered an offensive innovator but at UTEP his offense have never been all that great. \u00a0In this one the Miners will just hope that they are not passing for their life.<\/p>\n They do return 4 starters on the offensive line but none of their top 3 rushers return. \u00a0Against a team like OU you want to have balance and try and burn some clock.<\/p>\n UTEP is not good and I see no scenario in which an upset could occur. \u00a0The question is whether being at home and welcoming a top team is enough to get a spirited performance out of them.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t like laying big numbers with the chalk but UTEP is a little bit scary, especially if they can\u2019t run the ball at all.<\/p>\n
\nSaturday Sept 1
\nSun Bowl – El Paso, TX
\n10:30PM
\nMoneyline: \u00a0Oklahoma -11000, UTEP +4500
\nSpread: Oklahoma -30
\nO\/U: \u00a062.5<\/strong><\/p>\nOklahoma<\/h3>\n
UTEP<\/h3>\n