Western Carolina vs. Oklahoma Odds & Game Pick (2021)

Western Carolina has a big game ahead of them this week. Losing to Eastern Kentucky 28-31 last week, Western Carolina now faces one of the top teams in college football in Oklahoma. Western Carolina is not good enough to beat Oklahoma. New coach Kerwin Bell and transfer QB Rogan Wells are a threat to cover the spread against Oklahoma. 

Oklahoma looked rough in the first game against a great Tulane offense. Sophomore Tulane QB Michael Pratt looked great throwing for almost 300 yards and 3 TDs. He also ran for another TD. Rushing-wise, Oklahoma stopped the run. Western Carolina will look to throw again this week vs. this Oklahoma secondary. Spencer Rattler will have to do better protecting the football this week after giving up two interceptions against Tulane. 

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Overview

		SPREAD	O/U	MONEY
	WC	+46.5 -110	o 65.5 -110	NL
	OKL	-46.5 -110	o 65.5 -110	NL

Western Carolina made strides during the last couple of months. Adding new head coach Kerwin Bell was the first change. Serving as a Florida offensive analyst last year and a previous DII national champ at Valdosta State as a head coach. Bell knows what he is doing. Bell brought his 2018 QB Rogan Wells with him from Valdosta State. Rogan Wells threw for 4480 yards, 50 TDs, and 7 interceptions at Valdosta State. This quarterback knows Bell's offense. Pairing these guys up will help against the Oklahoma secondary. 

Western Carolina had a solid run defense last week. Giving up 120 yards on 36 carries is a great stat. Eastern Kentucky found success in throwing the ball, going 20/28 for 238 yards. This is a defense that is going to have difficulty stopping Lincoln Riley's offense. Western Carolina will give up points. The defense is not good enough to stop a high-caliber offense like Oklahoma. The big question is which Oklahoma defense is going to show up. 

Oklahoma's defense has been the talk of the off-season. Alex Grinch was supposed to build a defense that could be top caliber. They have two of the best linebackers in the nation. Oklahoma has a top corner in Woodi Washington. During the first and fourth quarters, this defense gave up 27 points to Tulane. During the second and third quarters, they gave up 8 points. Which Oklahoma defense is going to show up this week? Tulane has a great offense, and it showed last week, but this Oklahoma defense has a chance to be great. 

Oklahoma's offense was what we expected. Easily putting up 40 points in week one. Spencer Rattler went 30/39 with 300 yards. Unfortunately, he threw two picks. Kennedy Brooks rushed for 87 yards on 14 carries. Marvin Mimms had 117 receiving yards on 5 catches. Kicker Gabe Brkic looked to be one of the best kickers in college football, hitting three 50+ yard field goals. This offense is going to put up points every week. The question is, will they be able to cover the spread?

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Bottom Line

Oklahoma wins this game. The high octane offense is going to be too much for Western Carolina. Spencer Rattler will cut back on his mistakes this week and have a big game. Marvin Mimms will get into the endzone. Western Carolina will score some points but not to that same caliber as Tulane did last week. Expect Oklahoma to come out trying to make up for last week’s game. 

Pick: Oklahoma -46.5

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Cameron Lynch is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Cameron, check out his archive and follow him @captron26.