Oklahoma-UCF: AllSooners Staff Picks

John Hoover

UCF is in the Big 12 now, but the Knights are out of their league this time. The Sooners are rolling, and the only two things that could stop them Saturday —breaking rhythm from their open date and thinking they're all that after beating Texas — won't be wearing gold and black. Dillon Gabriel faces the school he began his college career with, and Jeff Lebby apparently took it personal when he wasn't UCF's choice to replace Josh Heupel. Put those two factors together and Oklahoma's offense could look unstoppable. The OU defense will be stressed somewhat, but the Sooners' depth will impose its will late.

Final: Oklahoma 58, UCF 27

Ryan Chapman

Oklahoma’s return to action won’t come without its challenges. The UCF Knights, though 0-3 thus far in Big 12 play, tout one of the most explosive offenses in college football. With John Rhys Plumlee at the helm, the rushing attack with be at full strength, but the Sooners are much improved defending the run. Full of confidence from the 34-30 win over Texas in the Cotton Bowl, Oklahoma’s defense preached the past two weeks that its far from satisfied. Healthy again off the bye week, Brent Venables’ defense is poised to take advantage of Plumlee’s carelessness with the football so long as Gus Malzahn’s attempts to confound the unit mentally doesn’t succeed. On the other side of the ball, UCF has been gashed every game on the ground. After truly unlocking Dillon Gabriel’s legs against the Longhorns, OU will have more than enough firepower to name its score Saturday — even without wide receiver Andrel Anthony.

Final: Oklahoma 45, UCF 20

Randall Sweet

Despite starting off the season 6-0 with a huge victory over the Texas Longhorns, it would not be shocking to see Oklahoma stumble out of the gate against UCF. Coming off of a bye week and an emotionally charged victory before that, the Sooners may need a few drives to get their feet back under them on Saturday. Still, the Golden Knights' defense has been subpar this season, which should give former Central Florida signal caller Dillon Gabriel plenty of opportunities to keep his name in the Heisman conversation. While John Rhys Plumlee and UCF may have success on offense early in the game, OU's defense should quickly snap back into form and turn the faucet off on Gus Malzahn's squad.

Final: Oklahoma 38, UCF 14

Tim Willert

UCF is good at running the ball and throwing the ball and the Knights are expected to have starting quarterback John Rhys Plumlee back in the lineup after missing time with an injury. But the Knights have struggled on defense, and Oklahoma had an extra week to prepare for head coach Gus Malzahn's game plan. Look for the OU defense to continue its run of holding offenses with good running or passing attacks (see SMU, Cincinnati, Iowa State and Texas) well below their season averages. The Sooners are playing too well on both sides of the ball and will be ready to go after the bye week and a big win against Texas.

Final: Oklahoma 42, UCF 21

Ross Lovelace

Oklahoma is a team on a mission right now, and there’s been no such thing as a post-Texas hangover in recent years. UCF gets its starting quarterback back this week, but he struggled mightily to begin the season and will be thrown into the fire against an elite Oklahoma defense. John Rhys Plumlee could break off a few big runs, but a turnover or two seems inevitable. The Golden Knights have had a rough welcome to the Big 12 Conference and a trip to Norman won’t help that one bit. The Sooners have a good chance of rolling on Saturday.

Final: Oklahoma 45, UCF 17