When the initial Bowl Championship Series standings were released on Sunday, it was neither Oregon or Boise State ranked number-one, but instead Oklahoma. The Sooners were awarded for their 6-0 start, including 2-0 in the big 12, with the top seed in the country, despite not being ranked in the top-five in the AP poll heading in to last weekend. Oklahoma will open its defense of the top spot with a huge Big 12 showdown this Saturday on the road, when they take on number-11 Missouri.
Oklahoma Sooners @ Missouri Tigers
Saturday October 23, 2010 – 8:00 PM ET
Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri
Online Sports Betting Odds: n/a
The Tigers are also 6-0 so far this season including 2-0 in the Big 12, and will represent the Sooner’s toughest challenge this college football betting season. Missouri has yet to face a ranked opponent this year, but will get three over their next four games with clashes against number-16 Nebraska and number-22 Kansas State still to come.
NCAA Football Betting Preview: Oklahoma
After opening up at number-one, the Sooners have a relatively easy road to the national title game as long as they can maintain their consistency. Oklahoma will get number-11 Missouri in their toughest match up of the season this week, with an end of season in-state showdown against number-14 Oklahoma State the only other game against a ranked opponent. Led by sophomore quarterback Landry Jones, the Sooners have the 12th-best passing attack in the country. Jones will have to have his best game of the season this weekend against a Tigers’ defense that ranks second in the country in points against. Oklahoma outgained Iowa 672-183 in their return from a bye week last Saturday, and will need another solid effort this week in their biggest game of the season.
NCAA Football Betting Preview: Missouri
The Tigers represent the best chance for Oklahoma to be knocked out of the top spot this year, and will take that role seriously with the chance to establish themselves as the best team in the Big 12. Big wins over Colorado and Texas A&M in consecutive weeks has Missouri at number-11 in the nation, but those wins will mean little if the Tigers can’t show up against the best. Missouri last opened 6-0 back in 2006, and the last time they won seven in a row to open a season was in 1960, when they went undefeated.
The Match Up: Oklahoma @ Missouri
This will be the first time these teams meet since the 2008 Big 12 championship game, as the new number-one team in the nation gets its toughest test right out of the gate. Oklahoma has won seven straight over Missouri, and 19 of 20, and there is little reason to think that streak won’t continue this Northbet weekend. Head coach Bob Stoops’ understands its still a long way for the Sooners to get to the championship game, and will prepare his team for this game with the mindset that this game is their ticket.
NCAA Football Betting Pick: Oklahoma
