ABC Saturday College Football Picks – Oklahoma @ Texas Odds and Predictions – Week 6 NCAA Football Spreads and Odds

Week 6 Free College Football Picks and Spreads: Oklahoma Sooners @ Texas Longhorns 2011 NCAA Football Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on ABC Saturday 10/8/11: The latest chapter of the Red River Rivalry will be written this weekend when the third-ranked Oklahoma Sooners visit the 11th-ranked Texas Longhorns. Both teams bring 4-0 records into the matchup, which means major conference and national title implications are on the line. These two juggernauts are used to playing in big games, and despite the tradition of the two powerhouse programs, the Sooners and their high-powered offense are 10 ½-point favorites in Saturday’s game.

After struggling last year, the Longhorns have rapidly ascended the rankings this season thanks to a strong defense and resurgent rushing attack. While Mack Brown’s team is quickly putting the disappointing season behind it, Texas has a chance to restore its elite reputation in the college football world with a win this weekend. Meanwhile, the Sooners know that they can kiss their national title hopes goodbye if the fall to their rivals.

Contrasting offensive styles will be on display in this one. Oklahoma uses a pass-heavy spread attack led by quarterback Landry Jones and receiver Ryan Broyles. Meanwhile, the Longhorns have become a run-first team, using everything from pro-style formations to wildcat sets. The offense has been a bit one dimensional, but the effective running game has opened up opportunities for the play-action pass.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma defense has shown some serious lapses at times, but a majority of the problems have come in the secondary. The Sooners have had success rushing the passer, but big plays in the passing game have gotten Oklahoma in trouble against Florida State and Missouri already. Texas has made a living on running a methodical offense, but if the Longhorns can add some quick, easy scores to the mix, their chances of winning improve dramatically.

If Texas is going to pull the upset, quarterback Case McCoy is going to have to make some plays. He has spent most of his time handing the ball off to Malcolm Brown and the rest of the Texas running backs, but he has also avoided the mistakes that seemed to plague former starter Garrett Gilbert. McCoy’s ability to handle the pressure and keep the Oklahoma defense honest could be the key factor in deciding Saturday’s game.

Stopping Jones and the Oklahoma offense will be the other key. The Longhorns bring a talented and stingy defense into this matchup, but the unit has yet to face a team with as many weapons as the Sooners. However, the Texas defense held their own during a 28-20 loss to Oklahoma last season. Considering the numbers Bob Stoops’ bunch put up on average, holding the Sooners under 30 is about as good as any team can expect to fare.

Despite opening the year as the No. 1 team in the country, Oklahoma hasn’t really had a signature victory. Granted, they knocked off Florida State on the road, but an injury to Seminoles’ QB E.J. Manuel had FSU at less than full strength for most of the game. More importantly, Jones and the offense have been good but not great thus far, and the defense has looked borderline porous at certain points. Rivalry games always tend to be tight anyway, and the powerful Texas running game and stout defensive unit should ensure that Saturday’s meeting goes down to the wire. In the end, the inexperience of McCoy will probably prevent a Texas upset, but the Longhorns should be able to cover the double-digit spread.

Prediction: Texas Longhorns (+10 ½) Cover the Spread

Free College Football Picks and NCAAF Predictions: Texas +10.5 to cover the spread

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