Oklahoma’s Title Odds Improve to +600 with Win Over Texas; Could Sooners Challenge the Superpowers?

*Odds collected 10/13/19

Oklahoma Defeats Texas

Oklahoma strengthened their four-team CFP chances with a 34-27 victory over their Big 12 Texas rivals in Week 7. QB Jalen Hurts connected with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb for three touchdowns, while Oklahoma’s defense sacked Texas QB Sam Ehlinger nine times.

This was a big statement game for the Sooners. Oklahoma had been dominating weak Big 12 defenses and needed to prove they could deliver against a strong ranked opponent. The Sooners never trailed in the game and forced the talented QB Ehlinger into minus-9 yards rushing.

Oklahoma’s defense looked like the real deal against Texas. They recorded a school-record nine sacks and 15 tackles for loss, while limiting Texas to just 310 total yards. Oklahoma’s defense looks improved this season after they gave up 54 points to Georgia in a shootout loss in the 2018 CFP semi-final.

More to Offense than Jalen Hurts 

All the hype entering the 2019 Red River Showdown was surrounding Heisman favorite Jalen Hurts, but it was wide receiver CeeDee Lamb who stole the show. Lamb had 10 catches for 171 yards and three TD’s in the victory.

ARE YOU SERIOUS, @_CeeDeeThree ??

The @OU_Football WR hauls in the flea flicker and puts the Texas defense on ice for the TD. pic.twitter.com/Giw0Hvdra2

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 12, 2019

Sooners RB Kennedy Brooks also led all running backs with 107 yards in the game. The strong performances by Lamb and Brooks make Oklahoma well-rounded offensively.

Hurts threw for 235 yards and had 131 on the ground, but his game wasn’t without a few mistakes, Hurts lost a fumble at the Texas 7-yard line at the end of a 27-yard run in the first quarter and threw an interception in the Texas end zone in the second quarter.

Hurts was replaced as the starter for Alabama during the 2017 National Championship game, so questions about whether he can deliver in big games will remain.

Oklahoma Big 12 Favorites

With Oklahoma prevailing over Texas, they have a very manageable remaining schedule that should see them win out and make the CFP. Their only remaining game against a ranked opponent is at Baylor on Nov.16, a matchup the Sooners won by over 30 points last season.

The Sooners have the advantage of going up against weak Big 12 defenses in the regular season, but that’ll change if they make the CFP. Texas isn’t even ranked in the top-100 for total defense.

Oklahoma is a good bet to make the CFP, but do the Sooners have the talent to matchup against superpowers such as Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Ohio State?

Sooners a Tier Below CFB Superpowers

Jalen Hurts beating his former Alabama team for a championship makes for a great story, but is it realistic? As great as Hurts has been, the Sooners are still a tier below the top teams.

The Week 8 AP Poll is here ?

1. Alabama
2. LSU
3. Clemson
4. Ohio State
5. Oklahoma
6. Wisconsin
7. Penn State
8. Notre Dame
9. Florida
10. Georgia

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 13, 2019

Alabama has made four straight appearances in the National Championship game and will be out for redemption after losing 44-16 to Clemson in 2018. QB Tua Tagovailoa has thrown a nation-high 27 TD passes with just one interception and has a plethora of talented wide receiver targets.

Ohio State has a prolific offense led by Justin Fields, but they’ve also been stout defensively. The Buckeyes have limited all their opponents to 24 points or less this season. Both Ohio State and Clemson rank top-five in average yards allowed per game.

LSU is another team that I think would give Oklahoma problems due to their prolific offense and solid defense. As good as the Sooners have been, I don’t think they’ll be able to transfer that success against an elite defensive team.

Verdict on Oklahoma’s National Title Odds

I wouldn’t count out Oklahoma, as anything can happen in college football, but I’m not confident enough to bet on them for a title at +600 odds.

Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Ohio State are all undefeated powerhouses that matchup well against the Sooners. While beating Texas is impressive, the other four teams in front of them have better talent on both sides of the ball.

Oklahoma is a good bet to make the CFP with their win over the Longhorns, but I think they fall just short of winning a title this year.