Skip to content
SEC Football

ESPN’s FPI predicts winner of Oklahoma-South Carolina game

Braden Ramsey

By Braden Ramsey

Published:

“No days off!” is a phrase popularized by Bill Belichick during his New England Patriots days. It was applicable to the Pats’ approach back then. Today, it perfectly describes life in the SEC. Week 8’s contest between the Oklahoma Sooners and South Carolina Gamecocks is the perfect example.

No. 14 Oklahoma (5-1, 1-1 SEC) brought quarterback John Mateer back for their Red River Rivalry matchup versus Texas. Mateer, once the Heisman Trophy favorite, tossed 3 interceptions in the Sooners’ 23-6 loss to the Longhorns. South Carolina (3-3, 1-3 SEC) also struggled in Week 7, with quarterback LaNorris Sellers turning the ball over twice in a 20-10 defeat at the hands of LSU.

Both teams’ stout defenses could make points hard to come by on Saturday afternoon. That’s why the betting total (43.5 per most sports betting apps) is so low. Despite this smaller number, Oklahoma is still a 4.5-point road favorite over South Carolina.

ESPN’s Football Power Index will occasionally go against a game’s spread. However, in this Sooners-Gamecocks matchup, it’s in lockstep with the betting markets. FPI gives Oklahoma a 54.9% chance at beating South Carolina (45.1%) this weekend.

Kickoff for the intriguing conference battle is slated for 12:45 p.m. E.T. (SEC Network).

You might also like...

MONDAY DOWN SOUTH

presented by rankings

2025 RANKINGS

presented by rankings