NCAAF Betting Preview – Can Miami Bounce Back Against Oklahoma?

The Hurricanes took the nation by storm, but a tough schedule finally got the best of them as Miami took home its first loss of the year, plummeting them down the AP rankings. The tough times continue for the ‘Canes as they host the Oklahoma Sooners, who may have Sam Bradford back in the fold to test out his separated shoulder.

Miami has so much to prove in this game, and risk the chance of stretching themselves thin on effort. The Sooners have posted back-to-back shutout victories in the past two weeks, giving Miami plenty to worry about heading in to Week 5 betting.

Don’t get too exited about Bradford’s possible return. The Sooners would be subjecting Bradford to one of the fastest, blitz happy defenses in the top-25, and that would not exactly be the tune-up game they want from Bradford. In fact, Landry Jones has been more than adequate in replacing Bradford, a duty he will assume full-time next year when Bradford matriculates to the NFL.

Jones has tallied 622-yards, 9 touchdowns and just three picks as a true freshman. Oklahoma, in turn, has averaged a steady 256.3 yards passing, as well as 196.3 yards rushing to amass an average of 40.7 points per game. They’ve also gone on a 5-0 ATS streak on the road.

Jacory Harris’s Heisman hopes hinge on the success of the Miami Hurricanes, and a victory over the ranked Sooners would be a huge lift for a team that was outpaced by Virginia Tech last week in every phase of the game. Harris was a champion in defending the loss, assuming the entirety of the blame, and that’s exactly the kind of leadership you want from a quarterback of a young team that needs guidance and direction.

Oklahoma Sooners (2-1) vs. Miami Hurricanes (2-1)

Saturday, October 3rd — Land Shark Stadium, Miami — 8:00pm EST

NCAAF Betting Line: Oklahoma -7.5 (49)

Perhaps people will hark back to 1988, the last time these teams met in Miami, where the ‘Canes dethroned the top-ranked Sooners to win their second national title. Will this game has a similar feel. Oklahoma is trying to shake off the loss to BYU and climb back in to the BCS picture in Bradford’s swan song, while the Hurricanes are trying to force their way in to the top-10 again after dropping all the way down to seventeenth.

Miami has gone just 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games at home, but are 4-1 SU as hosts as well. The Canes were merely a victim of their own hype last week. They missed a flurry of tackles, and dropped around eight passes, one which could’ve led to a touchdown.

You can expect the coaching staff to get them back to the basics, which means they’ll be more balanced and focused to upset the Sooners. I like this Landry kid, but he hasn’t faced a defense like Miami’s and that will be the deciding factor when the Hurricanes shock the world again and cover the spread.

Furious Free Pick: Miami +7.5 (OVER)