Brent Venables and the No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners look to make a statement in 2024, their first year as a member of the SEC.
It all starts tonight with a Week 1 home game against the Temple Owls, a seemingly overmatched opponent getting little respect from the oddsmakers, and my Temple vs. Oklahoma predictions agree with that take.
Read on for why I’m backing the Sooners with my college football picks for Friday, August 30.
Temple vs Oklahoma prediction
My best bet
Oklahoma first half -27.5 (-120 at BetMGM)
My analysis
The Oklahoma Sooners were a tough out a year ago, finishing with a 10-3 record while scoring 41.7 ppg and allowing just 23.5 ppg. The offense appears strong at quarterback and the skill positions but resets along the offensive line, while the defense returns eight starters and appears strong at linebacker and in the secondary.
This is the perfect opening game in the sense that the Sooners should be able to show out at home while getting the offensive line up to speed. The Temple Owls finished just 3-9 a year ago and held a miserable -14.6 points per game differential, but at least they’re an FBS opponent.
Things won’t get much better for Stan Drayton and the Owls this year, and they could get even worse. They rank 129th in returning production and the outlook is grim on both sides of the ball.
Let’s start with the offense, which lost star quarterback E.J. Warner to the transfer portal. The wide receiving room and tight end room both take a big step back, and the offense will take a while to come together as it finds its new identity with 42 new players on the roster.
Temple was a mess defensively last year, ranking 121st in EPA per play and 109th in success rate. The Sooners should be able to score in bunches with former five-star Jackson Arnold taking over at quarterback and potent skill players like Deion Burks and Gavin Sawchuk surrounding him. Arnold has limitless potential and will receive valuable game reps here to show out and grow more comfortable, so there could be fireworks.
Oklahoma will be able to score, and its defense should go into the game with the expectation of pitching a shutout. Temple’s offense projects poorly enough that there could be a lot of quick three-and-outs while Oklahoma’s starters are in defensively, so I’m expecting Venables’ squad to jump out to a quick lead.
Give me the Sooners to cover the first-half spread of -27.5.
Temple vs Oklahoma same-game parlay (SGP)
Under 58.5
Deion Burks anytime touchdown
Jovantae Barnes anytime touchdown
Oklahoma will do its fair share of parading around the end zone, and it likely happens early and often.
Burks should feast and will step up as the likely No. 1 option in the passing attack with Nic Anderson sidelined for Week 1. Jovantae Barnes was injured last year but let's not forget he ran for 411 yards and four touchdowns as just a true freshman.
There’s no reason to run Sawchuk, the starting running back, into the ground, and Barnes should contribute a lot this season now that he’s back healthy as the 1B to Sawchuk’s 1A.
The thing is, Temple’s offense will struggle mightily to move the ball and may not contribute to the total. Temple’s talents last year included a strong quarterback, decent pass-catching play, and a veteran defensive front. None of those apply this year other than perhaps the defensive front, although rumors are that the Owls will be shorthanded there for Week 1 due to injury.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Temple vs Oklahoma odds
Temple vs Oklahoma live odds
Temple vs Oklahoma opening odds
- Spread: Temple +40 (-110) | Oklahoma -40 (-110)
- Moneyline: Temple +5,000 | Oklahoma -100,000
- Over/Under: Over 60.5 (-110) | Under 60.5 (-110)
Temple vs Oklahoma spread and Over/Under analysis
- Oklahoma showed up and showed out in its season opener a year ago, destroying Arkansas State by a score of 73-0.
- Oklahoma has won seven straight season openers and 13 of its last 14.
- Temple has only covered the spread in three of its last 12 games.
- Temple is 0-6 in its last six games against Power Conference teams.
Temple vs Oklahoma betting trend to know
Oklahoma has covered the firs-half spread in nine of its last 13 games. Temple, meanwhile, has covered the first-half spread just three times in its last 11 games. Find more college football betting trends for Temple vs Oklahoma.
Temple vs Oklahoma game info
| Location: | Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK |
| Date: | Friday, 8-30, 2024 |
| Kickoff: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
Temple vs Oklahoma latest injuries
Temple vs Oklahoma weather
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