Sooners Getting Action at the Sportsbook in CFB Futures. One team that is getting some action on the futures board at the sportsbook is Oklahoma. The Sooners odds to win the national championship have dropped to 7-1. Only two teams have lower odds at the sportsbook. Defending champion Alabama is 4-1 while Ohio State is 6-1.
Sportsbook odds will likely favor Oklahoma in every game they play this season. Their toughest test looks to be the game against Texas. The Sooners will not be the highest ranked team in the country to start the season but they do have a favorable schedule. Oklahoma did not have a season up to their standards a year ago. They went 8-5 and didn’t make a BCS bowl game. It was only the third time in the last 10 years that Oklahoma did not make a BCS bowl game.
Oklahoma is normally a national power under head coach Bob Stoops so it was a surprise to see them fall last season. It should be noted though that the Sooners lost quarterback Sam Bradford to injury early in the season. That hurt them last season but it may help them this year since Landry Jones has experience. Jones threw for 3,198 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. The Sooners also return running back DeMarco Murray. Not to be forgotten is wide receiver Ryan Broyles, who caught 89 passes for 1,120 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago.
The Sooners always seem to be great on defense and in 2010 they return linebacker Travis Lewis, who led the team in tackles, defensive end Jeremy Beal who led the team in sacks and safety Quinton Carter, who tied for the team lead in interceptions. The Sooners also have a great recruiting class coming in that should provide support.
Oklahoma was just 24th in the country in total yards last season and while that doesn’t sound too bad, it is not good enough for the Sooners. The defense was solid at 8th best in the country in total yards allowed. That number would have been good enough if the offense was in the top 10 but they were not. They should be improved this season since Jones has another year of experience.
The Sooners are considered national title contenders because of their talent but also because of their schedule. Their toughest game will be against Texas. It is not easy winning at Missouri or Oklahoma State but the Sooners should be favored in both of those games as well.