Oregon Ducks vs Oklahoma Sooners Match Up Preview
The Oklahoma University Sooners have not been kind to the Oregon Ducks and the Ducks would like to do something about it. The 15th ranked Sooners come to Autzen Stadium for the first time Saturday (Sept 16) in a 3:30 PM (EDT) kick-off on ABC Television (Regional Coverage). Oregon, ranked 18th is still looking for its first win over Oklahoma, trailing 6-0 in the series that dates back to 1966. With the exception of last season’s Holiday Bowl game in San Diego, all meetings had taken place in Norman. The Sooners have outscored Oregon 201-31 in the six-game series beginning in 1958. Last season’s Holiday Bowl was the closest margin of victory for Oklahoma (17-14). This is the third straight season that the Ducks have squared off with the Sooners losing 31-7 in Norman in 2004.
Bet on Oklahoma vs. Oregon at BetUS.com
The game with Oregon is Oklahoma’s second consecutive contest versus a Pac-10 team as the Sooners defeated the Washington Huskies 37-20 in Norman last week. Oklahoma is 2-0 on the season also defeating Alabama-Birmingham in Norman (Sept 2). After last week’s win versus Washington, Oklahoma is 22-13-1 against the Pac-10 Conference. Head Coach Bob Stoops is in his eighth season with Oklahoma and boasts a 28-6 record vs non-conference opponents, 21-8 record on the road and 22-7 vs ranked opponents.
With Oregon’s win over Fresno State last Saturday, Head Coach Mike Bellotti got his 92nd win making him the winningest coach all-time at Oregon.
Oklahoma’s big gun on offense, Junior Running Back Adrian Peterson, rushed for more than 1000 yards in his first two seasons and is looking to become the program’s all-time rushing leader. He currently has 304 rushing yards after two games and needs 781 more to surpass the mark set my Billy Sims.
The Sooners’ Senior Quarterback Paul Thompson moved to wide receiver in 2005 but moved back behind center because of Brett Bomar’s removal from the team for violating NCAA rules over the summer. One thing that has helped Thompson in his transition is the emergence of Wide Receiver Malcom Kelly who has stepped up to help the Sooners in their first two victories in this young season.
Junior Quarterback Dennis Dixon who is known to move the football with both feet and arm leads the Oregon offense. When he stepped in for injured Kellen Clemens during the last four games a year ago, his 66.3 percent completion percentage was actually better than Clemens’ 64 per cent. Dixon also has extended his string of pass attempts without an interception to 129 dating back to the second quarter of last year’s game against California.
Perhaps the biggest star of the Oregon offense is its offensive line. The unit is an experienced group who so far this season has been perfect in protecting the quarterback. The group only allowed 20 sacks all of last season.
Oklahoma coach Stoops thinks the game against Oregon might define his team for the rest of the year. “It’s going to be a statement game,” Stoops said. “We are playing against a high quality team and we are going on the road into that stadium too. We just have to come out and play and let everyone know that we are for real. If we come with our ‘A’ game, then we will be able to show everyone that.”
Oregon is favored giving a 4 point chalk at most Las Vegas Sportsbooks and 4 ½ points offshore while only Las Vegas has set a total set at 50. I think the best bet is UNDER 50. Defenses will rule the day in Eugene on Saturday.
Oklahoma vs. Oregon
Line Oregon –4.5, Total 50
TV ABC (regional) 3:30 pm (EDT)
