College Football Predictions – Oklahoma @ Florida St Odds and Picks on ABC – Week 3 NCAA Football Spreads and Odds

Week 3 Free College Football Picks and Spreads: Oklahoma Sooners @ Florida State Seminoles 2011 NCAA Football Vegas Odds, Free Picks, and Expert Predictions on ABC Saturday 9/17/11: Without a doubt, the marquee matchup this weekend will take place Saturday night in Tallahassee when the top-ranked Oklahoma Sooners visit the fifth-ranked Florida State Seminoles. Both programs have national title aspirations in 2011-12, and while the winner of Saturday’s game will take a big step toward achieving that goal, the loser will have their title hopes dashed three weeks into the year. From the high-powered Oklahoma offense to the loaded Florida State defense, there will be plenty of star power on display when these two powerhouse programs meet.

Despite being the road team, the Sooners enter the game as three-point favorites in large part because of their 47-17 dismantling of the Seminoles in Norman last season. Oklahoma got the better of Florida State in every aspect of the game in last year’s meeting, and the Seminoles have now lost five straight games against Oklahoma. However, the Sooners’ recent road woes could be an equalizer. In their last nine road games Bob Stoops’ bunch has lost five times.

The star of last year’s meeting was Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones. He threw for 380 yards and four touchdowns, torching the Seminoles’ secondary. Jones is back this year, along with his top target Ryan Broyles. After throwing for more than 4,700 yards last season, Jones is on the short list of Heisman candidates this season. If he can have another big game against the Seminoles Saturday and lead the Sooners to victory, he could establish himself as the frontrunner. He certainly has the firepower at his disposal to have a big game, especially against a Florida State secondary that did tend to five up plays last season.

With that in mind, this weekend’s contest could come down the play of the Seminoles’ defensive line versus the Oklahoma offensive line. Led by defensive end Brandon Jenkins, Florida State is as good as any team in the country at pressuring the quarterback. Jenkins recorded 13.5 sacks as a sophomore last season, and with almost every starter back on defense, the Seminoles should be one of the stingiest units in the nation throughout the year. If Florida State can keep the pressure on Jones, the Seminoles could limit the big plays that Oklahoma burned them with a year ago.

The other matchup to keep an eye on will be Oklahoma’s ability to confuse and rattle Florida State quarterback E.J. Manuel. Manuel is the lone new starter on offense for the Seminoles, and while he has started games in the past, this is his first season as the full-time starter. Saturday’s game will be Manuel’s toughest test to date as well as a chance to prove himself to his teammates. Manuel has excellent mobility and will look to move the pocket and stretch the field. His ability to control the offense and handle the pressure that comes with such an important will go a long way to determining whether or not the Seminoles can spring the upset.

While the atmosphere in Tallahassee will be electric, it’s hard to imagine that home field advantage can make up the 30-point gap that existed between the Sooners and Seminoles last season. Granted, Florida State returns a ton of talent and has an excellent defense, but the Sooners bring back plenty of starters in both sides of the ball as well. After all, Oklahoma was No. 1 in preseason polls for a reason. When it gets down to it, the Sooners have a Heisman candidate under center and the Seminoles have the still unproven Manuel. Jimbo Fisher’s bunch will be ready to play, but Stoops’ team is just better. Saturday night’s game won’t be a blowout, but the top team in the nation should come away victorious.

Prediction: Oklahoma Sooners (-3) Cover the Spread

Free College Football Picks and NCAAF Predictions: Oklahoma -3 to cover the spread

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