Oklahoma vs UTEP Betting Preview
In the next game of our Countdown to Kickoff series, Sportsmemo handicapper JM Sports takes a look at Oklahoma vs UTEP on September 3. After going 6-1 in their first seven games, UTEP lost five of their last six last season. Oklahoma started strong last season going 9-0 but went 2-2 their final four games. One of those wins included an Alamo Bowl win though.
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Saturday, September 3 | College Football Betting Notes |
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Point Spread: | Oklahoma Sooners -31 vs UTEP Miners |
Total: | 56.5 (Over -110 / Under -110) |
Kickoff: | 3:30pm ET / 12:30pm PT |
Venue: | Memorial Stadium in Norman, OK |
TV: | FOX |
Oklahoma vs UTEP Analysis
This is a matchup that a lot of people have been waiting for as we keep our eye on Oklahoma and see what happens after the departure of Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams.
This is the 5th time that these two teams have met and Oklahoma has won all four previous meetings by at least 17 points! The most recent meeting was in 2017, they were tied for a moment in the 1st quarter, but by halftime Oklahoma was up 35-7. Oklahoma ended up winning the game 56-7 and out gaining UTEP by 509 yards!
Does UTEP Have a Chance to Upend Oklahoma?
This is already a tough matchup for UTEP, not to mention the fact that this isn’t the first game for the Miners and they are forced to think about North Texas first.
UTEP is a combined 5-39 from 2017-2020, with 3 of those wins coming in the shortened COVID season. They did end last year 7-6, but that is rather disappointing after a 6-1 start, ending with a seven point bowl loss.
Although, last season’s New Mexico Bowl vs. Fresno State is their first bowl since 2014. UTEP does possess 15 returning starters, with seven coming on offense (including their QB) and eight coming on defense. They return their top two rushers, as well as six of their top seven tacklers. The Miners lose their top two receivers in terms of yardage, but they still have the next seven on their roster.
Since Dimel took over as HC they are just 4-19 on the road, but that isn’t something new seeing as they are just 11-50 on the road since 2012! UTEP has also lost 10 straight games against ranked opponents, losing by nearly 36 PPG.
Sooners Typically Soar at Home
Oklahoma ended last season 11-2, but they did lose two of their last four games on the year, despite pulling out the win in the bowl game against Oregon. The Sooners lose their two leading rushers, four of their top five receivers and their QB.
Although, Theo Wease, who will be one of their top WR’s was out last season with injuries, Marvin Mims returns who was their leading receiver last year and they add Dillon Gabriel, UCF QB transfer (threw for over 8,000 yards in 25 starts).
Both their offense and their defense took a small step back last year, but they still led the conference in PPG vs. Big 12 (35.8) and PPG in general (36.3). Plus, this team still holds the top ranking in the conference as far as OL, LB and DB units.
The Sooners are 40-3 at home since 2015 but they were just 2-5 last season as a double digit favorite against FBS opponents.
Oklahoma vs UTEP Prediction
I do think the Sooners handle this game with relative ease, but UTEP is an improving team with returning experience.
They will have a game against North Texas to “warm-up” and this is a new Oklahoma Sooners unit that may take a game or two to get into full force! Even a 42-14 win for the Sooners wouldn’t cover this spread and that is close to what I foresee!
Prediction: UTEP Miners +31
Interested in placing a bet on this Oklahoma vs UTEP Week 1 showdown? Caesars Sports is offering up to a $1,500 risk-free bet for first-time deposits in New Jersey, West Virginia, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Virginia, Tennessee, Arizona, New York and Louisiana.
Sportsmemo Today | NFL Season Preview
JM Sports joins Dan Neubert and Dr Chuck on Sportsmemo Today to discuss the NFL futures market, and the Week 1 betting lines.
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Meet the Author
Jeff’s hunger for handicapping began at a young age being surrounded by parents that made sports betting a daily routine. Hoping to follow in the footsteps of other Cleveland handicappers like Marc Lawrence, Phil Steele, Ralph Michaels, Ed Meyer and Bryan Leonard, Jeff started his sports betting career working for both Northcoast Sports and Phil Steele Publications learning the intricacies of sports betting and becoming a profitable handicapper. Through out his college years, Jeff’s mathematical and analytical prowess helped him develop a betting strategy that turned sports betting into a profitable venture, where he focuses on the NFL, college football, NBA, college basketball and MLB while showing strong results in the WNBA.
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