Oklahoma State has a very good offense and people keep expecting Texas to have a letdown week because of the tough stretch of schedule they're in. I don't expect that'll happen, though. This year's edition of the Longhorns is, with the possible exception of Colt McCoy and Brian Orakpo, a team without stars. There's very little ego on the field, so I don't look for them to relax any, especially against an OSU team that's given them so many scares over the last few years.
One of the things I do think likely will be less OSU scoring than usual. The Texas run defense is one of the nation's best and by far the best the Cowboys have seen. With the young Texas secondary improving each week I like the odds of the Pokes being held below their season average.
If I got lucky enough to see the line hit -10 I'd take the Horns. As it is, though, it's just a no-play for me.
One of the things I do think likely will be less OSU scoring than usual. The Texas run defense is one of the nation's best and by far the best the Cowboys have seen. With the young Texas secondary improving each week I like the odds of the Pokes being held below their season average.
If I got lucky enough to see the line hit -10 I'd take the Horns. As it is, though, it's just a no-play for me.
I was hoping you would chime in here.
Perhaps Okie State would be able to put up some passing yards against Texas. I see Texas' pass defense isn't as strong as their rush offense. In fact, Okie State is the same way, strong run defense with a weaker pass defense. That leads me to believe that both teams will be trying to move through the air.
Oklahoma State will almost certainly put up a lot of passing yards. They're not going to be able to run the ball much, so they'll have to stay in the air most of the afternoon. Texas will have a more balanced mix, though, with McCoy and about three running backs carrying the ball. The UT offensive line should have an edge on the OSU D-line, so Texas will be able to have a running game.
As I mentioned earlier, I would like Texas at -10 or better and I lean toward the Under, as I don't think the Cowboys will light up the scoreboard as much as they have against other opponents. That 66 or 67 it's currently at is a tough line, though, so I don't feel real strongly about it.
It's going to be interesting to see how long Mike Gundy tries to stick with the running game. I really don't think they'll have much success on the ground at all.
As I mentioned earlier, I would like Texas at -10 or better and I lean toward the Under, as I don't think the Cowboys will light up the scoreboard as much as they have against other opponents. That 66 or 67 it's currently at is a tough line, though, so I don't feel real strongly about it.
It's going to be interesting to see how long Mike Gundy tries to stick with the running game. I really don't think they'll have much success on the ground at all.
I really can't fault your reasoning there. My lean to the Under is a very mild one. Not nearly strong enough to make me want to put any money on a total that could so easily go Over.
I've been really tempted to take Texas as a 1H play, pretty much entirely in reaction to how they've fallen behind OSU so big the last several years then had to come back and win after the half. Surely Mack Brown will stress starting fast this year.
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