The Houston Cougars will head up north to Norman for their matchup with the Oklahoma Sooners this weekend. This game will kick off at 7:45 p.m. ET on the SEC Network on Saturday night.
Oklahoma is currently favored by 28.5 points over a team that was a conference opponent in the Big 12 last season. This game has an over/under of 49.5 points set right now at -110 both ways.
Let’s dive into my Houston vs Oklahoma Odds, Picks and Prediction — September 7, 2024.
NCAAF Week 2: Houston vs. Oklahoma Prediction
- Houston vs Oklahoma Pick: Oklahoma Team Total Under 38.5
My Houston vs Oklahoma best bet is on the Sooners team total under, with the best line currently available at DraftKings, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Houston vs Oklahoma Odds for NCAAF Week 2
| Houston Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+27.5 -110 | 49.5 -110o / -110u | +1800 |
| Oklahoma Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-27.5 -110 | 49.5 -110o / -110u | -10000 |
- Spread: Houston +27.5 (-110) · Oklahoma -27.5 (-110)
- Total: Over/Under 49.5 Points
- Moneyline: Houston ML +1800, Oklahoma ML -10000
Houston Cougars Football vs. Oklahoma Sooners Football
Houston Cougars Preview: Defense May Be Improved
The Willie Fritz era at Houston got off to a rough start last weekend, as the Cougars fell to UNLV at home by a score of 27-7. Fritz was able to turn Tulane around and earn this job, but it may take more than one week to build this program back up.
Looking at the numbers from this first game of the season, it was closer than you may expect. The Rebels and Cougars both had a 31% offensive success rate in this game. The Houston defense held UNLV to a 16th percentile EPA per play, while Houston had a 7th percentile EPA per play. However, it does appear that the drop-off in UNLV’s offense happened when this game was mostly in hand in the second half.
Last year, Houston’s offense was ranked 71st in SP+. They return five starters this season, including quarterback Donovan Smith. Two starters return on the offensive line and Houston will be replacing two of its top three receiving options as well.
This was not a strong unit defensively last year, ranking 102nd in SP+. Houston brought back five starters this year but replaced most of their secondary. The defense did have a solid game against UNLV, however, and may be improved this season.
Oklahoma Sooners Preview: Replacing Gabriel Could Be Tough
Oklahoma started its season with a bang, beating Temple by a score of 51-3 and covering the 43.5-point spread.
The Owls had just a 1st percentile success rate and EPA per play, as Oklahoma’s defense was able to completely suffocate them. On the other side, Oklahoma had a 46th-percentile offensive success rate and 62nd-percentile EPA per play, as they didn’t have to stay in high gear for long in this game.
Jackson Arnold takes over as the full-time starting quarterback for the Sooners this season. He completed 17 of his 25 passes for 128 yards and four touchdowns against Temple, but he also took three sacks. Arnold’s -0.12 EPA per dropback may be slightly concerning for the first-time starter, but it could also just be blip on the radar for this promising recruit.
Seven starters are back on Oklahoma’s offense, which ranked 8th in SP+ last season. Replacing Dillon Gabriel and OC Jeff Lebby may prove to be difficult, but we will see in due time what Arnold is capable of.
Oklahoma’s defense has been much improved since Brent Venables came to town. The Sooner D returns eight starters this season for a unit that was 38th in SP+ last year.
They return nine of their top 10 tacklers from last season, including star linebacker Danny Stutsman. Seeing what this team did against Temple last week just confirmed my belief that this will be a strong unit once again this year.
How to Bet My Houston vs Oklahoma Prediction
I believe that the spread for this game being 28.5 points is an overreaction to last weekend. Houston didn’t lose as bad as the final score would appear, nor was Oklahoma as dominant as you would be led to believe by the final score.
I have my concerns with Jackson Arnold and this Oklahoma offense. I wouldn’t mind taking Houston against the spread, but I think there is a better bet to be had on this game. Instead, I like taking Oklahoma under 38.5 points at -120, as Houston’s defense held up well last weekend and I believe they could at least slow their opponent down once again.
Houston’s offense has too many unknowns for me to want to back it against this Oklahoma defense, so a full-game under may also be in play here.
Pick: Oklahoma Team Total Under 38.5 (Play to -125)
How to Watch Houston vs Oklahoma
| Location: | Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK |
| Date: | Saturday, Sept. 7 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7:45 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | SEC Network |
Houston-OU Betting Trends
- Houston is 0-1 SU and ATS this season after losing their season opener 27-7 to UNLV at home as 3.5-point favorites.
- Oklahoma is 1-0 SU and ATS this year after beating Temple 51-3 as 43-point home favorites in Week 1.
College Football Weather: Houston vs Oklahoma
