Oklahoma vs Michigan Best Picks 9/12

Oklahoma vs Michigan Best Picks 9/12

Following the chaos of Week 1, this weekend’s college football slate features a number of compelling games across the Power 4 and Group of Six levels. There’s plenty of eventful matchups on the gridiron this week, and we have a loaded slate of Week 2 action on our hands. One of the marquee games on Saturday’s card is a fascinating clash between the Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan Wolverines. With this intriguing matchup nearly upon us, it’s time to dive into our expert’s college football predictions and best bets for Saturday’s SEC vs Big Ten showdown.

Oklahoma vs Michigan Predictions

Pick #1 - Oklahoma Sooners -4.5 over Michigan Wolverines (-115)

Pick #2 - Under 43.5 (-110)

Pick #3 - Isaiah Sategna III (OKLA) anytime touchdown scorer (+160) 

PICK #1: Oklahoma -4.5 over Michigan (-115)

Even if we disregard the ending to Michigan’s controversial victory over Western Michigan a week ago, it’s hard to see a scenario in which the Wolverines spring the upset. The number has moved nearly a full touchdown compared to the lookahead line, but given what we saw in Week 1, the Wolverines don’t inspire much confidence going forward. 

It all starts and ends with Bryce Underwood, as the young quarterback doesn’t appear to have made any progress in his second season under center. Unfortunately for Underwood, the task won’t get any easier this week against an Oklahoma defense that might be the best in the nation from top to bottom. Furthermore, John Mateer and the Sooners offense appear to be much improved compared to a season ago, and they should be able to grind out a win and cover in what should be a lower-scoring affair.    

PICK #2: Under 43.5 (-110)

Regardless of which team comes out on top in this game, the under is the only way our expert can look in this matchup. Given the well-publicized struggles of Underwood in Week 1, Michigan is naturally going to lean on its ground attack with Jordan Marshall in the backfield, and we can expect Underwood to get plenty of carries of his own throughout this one. Oklahoma’s defense is a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, and the Sooners should be able to generate pressure on Underwood against a Michigan offensive line that failed to dominate Western Michigan a week ago. 

On the other side, the Michigan defense is still the strength of this team, particularly in the trenches. It’s not as if Western Michigan had a ton of success pushing the ball downfield, and even with Mateer healthy and the Oklahoma offense upgraded compared to a season ago, it’s hard to see the Sooners putting up a ton of points on the road. Our expert is anticipating the clock to be running early and often throughout this game, so we’ll side with the under at the current number.      

PICK #3: Isaiah Sategna III (OKLA) anytime touchdown scorer (+160) 

Not only is Isaiah Sategna going to be the most dynamic player on the field in this game, but he also has the ability to make a major splash on special teams — as we saw last week with his electric punt return touchdown against UTEP. Just for good measure, Sategna added 76 receiving yards and a touchdown, and he should be heavily involved in an Oklahoma offense that should look to get the ball out quickly and keep Mateer clean in the pocket. With that in mind, Sategna’s touchdown price is a steal at the current number.