Is the USC-Oklahoma game really a coin toss?

[Big Al]

hope all is well. I posted my thoughts on the NFL first round playoff games in the "other gambling" forum.--Big Al--

[SinCityGuy]

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I think Okla's defense makes the difference.

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I agree.

A lot of people who haven't followed Oklahoma closely this year will point to their defensive lapses against Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.

Early in the season, OU's defense was playing well, including a shutout of Texas (the first time the Longhorns had been shutout in 35 years). In that game, OU's shutdown corner, Antonio Perkins, went out with a knee injury. He missed the next several games, and his replacement, Eric Bassey, got torched by Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. Stoops finally got fed up, and he yanked the redshirt off of freshman Marcus Walker in the 3rd quarter of the A&M game. Since then, OU has only given up one defensive TD, and Perkins is back to full strength. Perkins and Walker are a solid duo at corner now.

[CCx]

What does everyone think about the total tonight at 53...? I'm leaning towards the under, thinking defense and the running game will be a major factor.

[billyjex]

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I just think USC and the PAC-10 are overrated (as I've stated in previous threads).

The less than stellare performances of USC and UCLA in the bowl-games strengthened this belief.


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Most people do underestimate the Pac 10 as they don't see or hear about the games. Pac 10 games are rarely broadcast on national TV and ESPN relegates the highlights until after the east coast schools.

That being said, I see alot of Pac 10 games being on the west coast. USC is not overrated and I think they will easily cover against Oklahoma. Just because Cal struggled in their bowl game (which they played half-heartedly) does not mean USC is overrated.

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I love being right.

Just goes to show how underrated the Pac 10 really is, in basketball or football. Just because you don't get to see a conference's game (and you only see a bowl game on national TV such as Cal's) doesn't mean a conference is overrated. Watch a whole season and you'll get a better idea.

[RydenStoompala]

Nice call. Thank you. I even nailed all the proposition bets.