D’Eriq King Favored to Remain with Houston in 2020; Oklahoma +250 as Next Destination

• Houston Cougars quarterback D’Eriq King has decide to redshirt for the remainder of the 2019 season.
• King has accounted for 62 touchdowns over his last 15 games.
• Oklahoma is a good bet to poach King as he’s not a great fit with Dana Holgorsen.

The Houston Cougars have had a bizarre week. After the team’s loss at Tulane last Thursday, star quarterback D’Eriq King decided to sit out the rest of the season.

It was initially assumed that he’d end up transferring, but after issuing a statement confirming his commitment to Houston, it looks like he’s staying for now.

What’s the best destination to bet on for him to end up next season?

Odds on D’Eriq King’s Team in 2020

*Odds taken 09/27/2019

Cougars Fall to 1-3, King Elects to Redshirt

There were some high hopes for the Cougars this season. After all, they finished the year 8-4 last season and earned a win against a school from the Power 5 (Arizona).

However, 2019 has not gone according to plan as the team has lost three of their first four games and is all of the sudden a question mark for bowl season.

The loss to Tulane was particularly stinging as the Houston defense collapsed on what was essentially a game-ending Hail Mary. Tulane was merely taking a shot to avoid overtime but Houston’s defense failed and the Green Wave got the win. That was a big punch to the gut.

One of the reasons that Houston was expected to do well this year was quarterback D’Eriq King, who had over 3500 total yards combined last season with 50 touchdowns. A

fter the loss to Tulane, he shockingly decided to redshirt, alongside leading receiver and classmate Keith Corbin.

Cougars Favored to Retain King

The general assumption was that with King deciding to redshirt, he would immediately enter the transfer portal. However, his dad stated that the current plan is to stay with Houston. At the same time, it feels like this is a bit of lip service – what’s the point of sitting out this season then?

The answer to that is that the Cougars are merely taking advantage of a new NCAA rule. Players can get into up to four games and still redshirt to save their season.

The idea here is that Houston should bring back a ton of talent next year, along with impact transfers on the defensive side of the ball including former Alabama LB Eyabi Anoma and UCLA DB Colin Samuel.

Some view it as smart but it also opens the door for King to go somewhere else. It’s quite clear that head coach Dana Holgorsen’s system isn’t quite the right fit for King as he prefers more of a pocket passer. King thrived under Major Applewhite last year in a run-pass option type of offense that helped him thrive.

Bet on King Leaving

Holgorsen is doing what he can to contend in 2020 but he’s also now opened the door for King to explore his options.

I actually think he’ll end up at Florida State. Kendal Briles was his offensive coordinator last season and he’s now manning the same position at Florida State. They will have a need there and he’d fit their offense. However, Florida State is not an option in the prop offered.

Of course, Oklahoma will be looking for a new quarterback next season too, and after seeing what Jalen Hurts is doing this year and what Kyler Murray did last year, King will leave if Lincoln Riley and Oklahoma give him a call.

I’d bet on it happening as the Holgorsen-King fit just hasn’t been quite right. King has played some tough competition but his completion percentage and yards-per-attempt are way down in this offense. He’d look way better at Oklahoma, so I’d take a shot at the +250.