Oklahoma football: OU-UTEP score predictions/game breakdown

The new era of Oklahoma football kicks off Saturday vs. UTEP at 2:30 PM on Fox. It will be the fifth meeting between the Sooners and Miners. The most recent matchup came in 2017, when Mayfield and the Sooners throttled the Miners 56-7 in the opener. Here’s our score predictions and overall breakdown for the Oklahoma Sooners vs. UTEP Miners:

Connor Pasby

Score: OU 49 – UTEP 17

Game Breakdown: 

The Brent Venables era starts on a great note this Saturday. We will see flashes of how great Dillon Gabriel will be for the Sooners, with the returning weapons and newcomers, but I expect the Sooners to take advantage of running the ball. We know Eric Gray will be the starting running back Saturday, yet I expect a big day from Marcus Major. We’ve been waiting for Major to step into a bigger role for the Sooners, and he will show that Saturday.

Defensively, I expect a fun afternoon for the Sooners defensive line. They return the leading producer up front, Jalen Redmond, and they’ve added some help in the transfer portal. Tulane transfer Jeffery Johnson will make his name known in the opener. You will see a much better secondary against UTEP, and it starts with their best guy, Woodi Washington. The Sooners cover the spread.

Timothy Bailey

Score: OU 56 – UTEP 0

Oklahoma doesn’t mess around like they have in the past and asserts its will. The offensive line and running game will lead the way for OU

Douglas Miles

Score: OU 48 – UTEP 14

Brent Venables’ defenses have allowed an average of 9.0 points per game in their last seven season-openers. Expect the Sooners to run for a ton of yards, backup quarterbacks Davis Beville and General Booty will see the field in the second half and the Miners reach double-digits in the closing seconds against Oklahoma’s second and third-team defenders.

Chip Rouse

Score: OU 49 – UTEP 16

We are finally going to get to see an unveiling of what Oklahoma football is going to look like under Brent Venables and the new coaching staff. The first game will only serve as a glimpse, but we also know this team is going to get even better as the season rolls along. I would expect to see a typical Oklahoma offensive display, but what I’m really anxious to get a look at is how the defense responds to the personnel and scheme adjustments put in by Venables and Ted Roof.

Aaron Gelvin

Score: OU 42 – UTEP 3

The offense does about what we all expect, and they will run the ball well. Dillion Gabriel will look efficient in his first start as a Sooner. The defense plays well against an agonizing UTEP team. The starters for OU will have shutout first half, and the Miners get a field goal late in the second half against the second, third string guys.

Adam Willis

Score: OU 49 – UTEP 7

I think the Sooners assert their dominance early and often on the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Offense maintains a high pace that I believe UTEP just won’t be able to keep up with for four quarters. The defense will be physical and should be a problem for UTEP’s offensive line. I expect the run game to be strong as well. Sooners win the season opener handily.