Sportsbook odds on Oklahoma have definitely been affected by quarterback Sam Bradford’s shoulder injury. The Sooners are simply not the same team without Bradford as was indicated last week as they lost to BYU 14-13 in college football betting. Offshore sportsbook numbers could move as much as a touchdown or more in games that Bradford misses.
Sportsbook oddsmakers have said that Bradford is worth at least a touchdown on the betting line and perhaps as much as 10 points. Oklahoma’s game against Idaho State this week won’t have a betting line at the sportsbook since Idaho State is a non-board team. The following week though, they will be on the offshore sportsbook board against Tulsa.
Normally the Sooners would be about a three touchdown or more sports betting favorite at the sportsbook with Bradford against Tulsa. If he doesn’t play, and that is the most likely scenario, the Sooners might only be a two touchdown favorite at the offshore sportsbook. The Sooners were also missing All-American tight end Jermaine Gresham against BYU and when a team is missing their two top offensive players it matters a lot in sportsbook numbers.
Another thing to consider when betting at the sportsbook is the total on Oklahoma games. With Bradford out of the lineup you can expect the total on Oklahoma games to drop by at least 10 points and perhaps by as many as 14 at the sportsbook. Last season Oklahoma went over in almost every game against the sportsbook number. 11 of their 13 games went over the sportsbook total.
The question to be answered at the offshore sportsbook is when will Bradford return? The first conference game for the Sooners is October 10th versus Baylor and the Sooners are hoping Bradford is back before then. Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops said it will be a week or two before they know exactly when Bradford will return. “A lot of it depends on how he heals and how he feels as he’s healing here through the week,” Stoops said. “In the end, it’s going to be a while before we know what the plan will be.”
Oklahoma could still be in the national title picture if they get Bradford back quickly as sportsbook odds indicate. A one loss team is very much still in the national title picture, especially since the Sooners will face teams like Miami and Texas next month in sportsbook lines.