UTEP vs. Oklahoma Prediction, Odds, Spread and Over/Under for College Football Week 1

For the first time since 2014, the Oklahoma Sooners will take the field without Lincoln Riley roaming the sidelines. After spending time as the offensive coordinator before taking over the reins of the program, Riley's presence ushered in an era of electrifying Sooners football highlighted by Heisman Trophy winners Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield as well as Heisman Finalist Jalen Hurts.

Brent Venables dons the headset now, but expectations are still sky-high in Norman. The No. 9 Sooners open the season hosting UTEP, who lost 31-13 to North Texas in Week 0.

Can Oklahoma start this new era with a bang? Or will the Miners spoil Venables' debut?

Here are the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to help find out:

UTEP vs Oklahoma Odds, Spread and Total

UTEP vs Oklahoma Betting Trends

UTEP

• 8-4 against the spread (ATS) last 12 games on the road

• OVER is 7-3 last 10 games on the road

• 1-6 outright last seven games

Oklahoma

• 4-2-1 ATS last seven games

• OVER is 13-7 last 20 home games

• 11-6 ATS last 17 games as home favorite

UTEP vs Oklahoma Prediction and Pick

No program in recent history produces quarterbacks like these Oklahoma Sooners. Between Mayfield, Murray, Hurts and Caleb Williams, the Sooners are no stranger to incredible play under center.

Enter Dillon Gabriel. The former UCF Knight signal caller threw for over 7,000 yards and 60-plus touchdowns from 2019-2020 before a broken collarbone ended his 2021 season prematurely. But make no mistake, Gabriel is a stud fully capable of carrying the torch passed down from those Sooners' greats before him.

His 11.9 yard average depth of target at UCF illustrates his ability to push the ball downfield, and I expect a lightning-quick offensive style from Oklahoma to utilize the tremendous skill players at Venables' disposal.

UTEP struggled offensively against North Texas in Week 0. Quarterback Gavin Hardison completed just 21/48 passes, and the rushing attack averaged only 3.6 yards per carry. That being said, Oklahoma lost five defensive starters from last year's team, so I expect a stronger performance from the Miners after getting some kinks out of their system in that disappointing loss.

I think we're in for a track meet. Venables and Gabriel will want to show Sooners fans that electrifying offense did not leave with Riley's departure, and Oklahoma will want to score in bunches.

Look for the over to improve to 14-7 in Oklahoma's last 21 home games as Gabriel announces his presence to a wild crowd in Norman.

Pick: Over 57.0 (-110)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

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