The University of Oklahoma Sooners (5-3, 2-3 Big 12), one of the Big 12 Conference’s strongest rushing offenses, welcome the Baylor University Bears (5-3, 3-2 Big 12), one of the conference’s softest ground defenses, at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
The Sooners are 3.5-point favorites, and the total is 61.5. Baylor is coming off a one-sided 45-17 win over Texas Tech at Jones AT&T Stadium last Saturday. Blake Shapen threw for 211 yards and a touchdown. Richard Reese ran 36 times for 148 yards and three touchdowns. Gavin Holmes caught five passes for 77 yards. Oklahoma beat Iowa State 27-13 at Jack Trice Stadium last Saturday.
Dillon Gabriel was 15 of 26 for 150 yards and a touchdown. Eric Gray carried 20 times for 101 yards and a touchdown. Jalil Farooq also scored once. He had four receptions for 74 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Bears won the only game between the teams last season, a 27-14 victory in November. Gerry Bohanon tossed one touchdown for Baylor, as Tyquan Thornton scored once.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Bears are averaging 38.4 points per game for the season, 15th in FBS, and they are facing a Sooners defense that has surrendered 28.8 PPG (83rd). Meanwhile, Oklahoma has scored 33.0 points a game this season, 41st in the nation, and Baylor is allowing 23.3 PPG (50th).The Bears rank 53rd in the nation in passing yards per game (254.8) and 24th in rushing (201.5).
The best opportunities are likely to come on the ground, as the Sooners are 113th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (189.8). Against the pass, Oklahoma is 90th (248.3). Oklahoma has been one of the country’s top rushing teams, averaging 217.5 yards per game (16th), while ranking 70th in passing yards (236.9). The Bears are allowing 223.8 passing yards (57th) and 113.3 rushing yards per game (23rd).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through eight games, Blake Shapen has thrown for 13 touchdowns (5 INT) and 227.4 yards per game to lead Baylor in passing. In four away games this season, he has seven TDs and an average of 228.0 yards passing.
Richard Reese leads the team in rushing with an average of 98.9 yards a game over eight games. He has 12 touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Gavin Holmes is the Bears’ leading receiver with 59.2 yards a game and three TDs.
Dillon Gabriel has 14 passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 252.3 yards per game through seven games to lead Oklahoma. In four home games this season, he has thrown for 11 TDs (1 INT) and an average of 315.5 yards.
Eric Gray has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 99.5 yards a game through eight games. He has six touchdowns.
Marvin Mims has been the primary target in the Sooners’ passing game. He has three touchdowns and a 69.8 yard per game average through eight appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
Oklahoma (-175)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
