Rattlers vs Sooners NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
Oklahoma looked rather unimpressive in a 24-7 victory over UTEP last week; the Sooners get a chance to re-focus and crush an FCS opponent in Florida A&M in Week 2.
Florida A&M Rattlers (FCS) at #4 Oklahoma Sooners
Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, 7 pm EST
Venue: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman OK
Gambling Odds from Sportsbook.com unavailable
Spread:
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The Sooners’ offense is better than the 222 passing yards out of QB Landry Jones indicated in the season opener. The 24-7 result was kind of hollow, as the score was 10-7 Oklahoma until midway through the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma has a stable of decently talented wideouts, but after the departure of WR Ryan Broyles, the Sooners attack desperately needs to find that go-to pass catcher in time for the upcoming conference slate.
For its (if we’re being frank about it) limited role in this discussion, Florida A&M went 7-4 last season; a respectable campaign, though the Rattlers did lose a game 70-17 at South Florida.
Needless to say, the Oklahoma attack is more potent than USF’s. Florida is a state renowned for its speedy athletes, though most of the gold has been sifted when it comes down to examining an FCS roster.
This game is a perfect opportunity for OU to work on things, offensively and defensively.
The Sooners have a bye in Week 3, and then it’s right into the Big 12 fire, when mobile QB Collin Klein and Kansas State come into town. Jones will want ample chemistry with his targets and eyes will be on the RBs to continue to make big plays; freshman RB Damien Williams concluded the UTEP game with an eye-bulging 65-yard TD scamper that bodes well with senior RB Dominique Whaley and junior Roy Finch already back there. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Sooners’ defense had disappointing games in 2011, where it yielded a bunch of yards and points that were not indicative of its talent level. The “D” must continue to play with a chip on its shoulder and with the pride to prove that 2011 was an aberration.
Giving up only one major against UTEP last week was a nice start; pitching a goose-egg against Florida A&M would buttress the confidence level for this unit and prepare them for do-everything QB Klein in Week 4.
Oklahoma DT Jamarkus McFarland should gobble up the middle this week and CB Demontre Hurst and FS Tony Jefferson should patrol the defensive secondary with gusto.
Expect Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops and new defensive co-ordinator… well, new-old D-coordinator, after younger bro Mike Stoops is back coaching the Oklahoma defense after an eight-year head coaching stint at Arizona to command their team to convincingly show the home fans that this squad is not only a Big 12 powerhouse, but a National Title contender.
Florida A&M (FCS) vs. #4 Oklahoma Score Prediction: Oklahoma 49, Fl. A&M 0
