College Football 2019: Predictions for the biggest games of Week 7

Oklahoma vs. Texas (Saturday at 12 p.m. ET, FOX)

Spread: Oklahoma -10.5

The Red River Rivalry typically produces tight results. The last five matchups in the regular season between Oklahoma and Texas have been decided a single score. The Longhorns knocked off the Sooners last year in Dallas, but Oklahoma got revenge in the Big 12 Championship Game.

Texas comes in with a single loss, a home defeat at the hands of LSU, but the Longhorns could get right back in the thick of the playoff race if they can beat the Sooners this weekend.

Oklahoma is widely expected to be a playoff team this season. Jalen Hurts has continued Oklahoma’s string of stellar quarterback play, but defensive coordinator Alex Grinch has gotten improvement on that side of the ball. Texas will provide the biggest test to date, though.

Texas players seem to have taken some exception to Jalen Hurts’ comments about playing in bigger games, though that statement is unequivocally true. You can argue about the relative strength of this game versus the Iron Bowl all you want, but Hurts also started two national championship games.

I think Oklahoma’s defensive improvements are legitimate, and Hurts will continue his Heisman campaign with a big afternoon that moves the Sooners closer to yet another playoff bid.

Pick: Oklahoma 45, Texas 31