Oklahoma Sooners Football: College Football Schedule & Gambling Picks - Week 5

Hello there, Sooner Nation! I’m writing to you from beautiful Bozeman, Montana today. By the time this publishes, I’ll be well on my way to Portland for the Sturgill Simpson concert (or concerts if we make it there in time for his Thursday show). On Saturday, my buddy and I plan on tailgating in Eugene for the Oregon-Cal game, where we’ll be sure to pass along all of your frustrations about the crap-tastic officiating that took place up there in 2006. Bye weeks aren’t so bad after all!

While the Oklahoma Sooners may not be in action this weekend, we have a pretty good college football schedule lined up. Texas has a very losable game in Ames this evening. Also, Oklahoma State will be travel to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech (who might actually be good?) in an effort to stay in the College Football Playoff conversation. Finally, No. 2 Clemson has to play in Blacksburg, which is home to one of the loudest stadiums in college football.

I picked against the upsets last weekend and didn’t do so hot with the gambling picks, and I think this week may be even more difficult for me. Anyway, here goes:

Texas (-4.5) at Iowa State - On Monday, I mentioned that an ISU victory in this situation almost seemed inevitable, and that was probably a bit too bold. However, this just feels like the kind of game that Texas has really struggled with since 2010, and by that I mean a road game against an average or below-average Big 12 team. Additionally, Texas’ offensive line and run game in general aren’t in the form at the moment to really bully Iowa State at the point of attack. I kind of picture this being a low-scoring game despite that fact that Iowa State can really put points on the board. Gambling pick: Iowa State covers the spread and wins a close one. Under 62

Miami (-6.5) at Duke - Following a cancellation and a postponement due to Hurricane Irma, we don’t really know a ton about Miami at this point. They were able to beat Toledo last week, which boasts a pretty strong G5 program. Duke, on the other hand, has defeated the likes of Northwestern, Baylor and North Carolina. None of those teams are particularly good, but the Duke defense have proven capable of slowing down some decent offenses. Gambling pick: I’m picking Miami to cover, but just barely. I’m thinking like a 10-point margin here. Under 56

USC (-3.5) at Washington State - Washington State is an extremely trendy upset pick here, and it’s easy to see why. The Trojans have struggled against some fairly average football teams this year. Also, that win over Stanford doesn’t look as impressive as it did on Sept. 9. But has Washington State really done enough to deserve as much credit as it seems to be getting? It took an insane comeback to force overtime against Boise State (who was dominated by Virginia), and all three of their other wins are against terrible teams. Also, USC will be getting star running back Ronald Jones back for this one. I think if Sam Darnold can avoid mistakes, USC will win in a shootout. Gambling pick: Darnold doesn’t avoid the mistakes, and Washington State wins a high-scoring affair. Over 62.5

Georgia (-7.5) at Tennessee - On paper, Georgia obviously has the upper hand here. Jacob Eason is inching closer and closer to a return, but true freshman Jake Fromm — who will most likely be the one to take the field on Saturday — has filled in admirably. The UGA defense has been pretty dominant each week, and Nick Chubb is still Nick Chubb.

Tennessee looks like an absolute dumpster fire at this point. Of course, Butch Jones’ behavior and demeanor as of late has not eased any minds in Knoxville. The writing is on the wall. A huge win this weekend would simply delay the inevitable. A blowout, on the other hand, might end it all then and there.

I will say that weird stuff happens with these upper-echelon SEC East programs (Tennessee, Florida and Georgia). Just when you think a guy is done for, he surprises you with a huge win. Just when you think a guy’s job is safe, he lays an egg. That’s what kind of makes me hesitant to pick Georgia here. However, Butch Jones’ inability to win a big game reassures me. Gambling pick: This one stays close for a half, but Georgia starts dominating midway through the 3rd quarter. I think they’ll cover. Over 47

Baylor at Kansas State (-16.5) - Baylor gave all it had against Oklahoma last weekend and it wasn’t enough, so I think the Bears are in for a letdown. Also, the Wildcats have had an awful lot of time to reflect on their poor performance against Vanderbilt. I think a pissed-off K-State team is going to take its frustrations out on the Bears. Gambling pick: Kansas State forces turnovers and covers the spread. Over 55.5

Oklahoma State (-9.5) at Texas Tech - I could say all sorts of things about how Texas Tech looked good against Houston or how OSU’s defense looks very vulnerable, but the Cowboys always play well in Lubbock. Even when ignoring history, Oklahoma State’s offense is a machine, and Tech isn’t going to get the kind of pressure that TCU was able to last weekend. Gambling pick: Oklahoma State covers. Over 85.5

Clemson (-7.5) at Virginia Tech - Clemson has a very nice resume, but their offense hasn’t been terribly impressive up until this point. However, that defense is all sorts of nasty. Also, defense travels. I think we’re in for a low-scoring affair here. Gambling pick: Clemson wins, but Virginia Tech beats the spread. Under 50