SuperBook Sports previews the weekend ahead

CFB: Red River Showdown, No. 3 Texas vs. No. 12 Oklahoma

Whether or not you’re heading to Dallas for one of college football’s all-time great neutral site rivalry games is besides the point. This is a gem of an early October matchup. Not only do both schools – ehhemm, both traditional powerhouses – hate one another, but they just so happen to be undefeated. The last time both teams entered the game with unblemished records was 2011. It’s also the last time the rivalry will take place within the Big 12. As such, there’s a lot more on the line than just pride.

What’s new, however, is that Texas is good. Really good.

The last time Texas was ranked inside the top-10 and higher than the Sooners for the Showdown was 2009, when the No. 3 ‘Horns beat No. 20 Oklahoma. In the strange 2020 season, Texas was barely a top-25 team, ranking No. 22, but lost to unranked Oklahoma in overtime. In the past five years, the Longhorns have only won once – and that was last season (a 49-0 blowout, no less). 

It would be unfair to say that these programs are headed in different directions; they’re both very good. But it feels as if Texas is on a quest to return to glory. Texas is one of just three teams in the country with two wins over a top-25 opponents this season. Oklahoma has yet to face a top-25 team.

The Longhorns stormed into Tuscaloosa and whipped Alabama in Week 2. Such a win is not for the faint of heart. And while rivalry games are always different, this year’s Red River Showdown is the Longhorns’ to lose.

Bud Parmalee’s Pick: Texas -5.5

Sitting at No. 12 in the country, Oklahoma is anything but a bad football team. And yes, this game is always played at a neutral site. But Texas feels like a different kind of animal this season, a legitimate national title contender that would like to send a message to their northern foes. Oklahoma’s defense is too good to count on the over, but they’re not good enough to stop the Longhorns all game. Like many of the great Longhorn teams of the past, Texas might be the best team in the country when it comes to physicality in the trenches – both offensively and defensively – and that will matter immensely on Saturday in Big D. Make it three wins for Texas against top-25 opponents on the season. And, oh by the way, they’ll cover, too.

CFB: Maryland at No. 4 Ohio State

At first glance, the matchup between unranked Maryland and No. 4 Ohio State looks predictable. But in the ever-applicable words of Lee Corso, “Not so fast, my friend!”

Maryland is a 20-point underdog, but the Terps are still a perfect 5-0 on the season, causing a need to further examine such a big spread. Sure, Maryland has yet to play a top-25 opponent, but the Terps have scored 31 or more in every single game behind one of the countries most effecient offenses. Throw out their “preseason” blowouts against Towson and Charlotte, but one can’t discount the fact that Maryland has rolled over more formidable opponents Virginia, Michigan State and Indiana. Again, no juggernauts to date, but a 31-9 road win against the Spartans is reason to believe the Terrapins aren’t pretenders. In college football, bad teams find ways to slip up, even when the schedule looks favorable on paper. To its credit, Maryland hasn’t done that this season.

And while Ohio State is ranked fourth in the country – a familiar standing for the Buckeyes – their 4-0 mark is perhaps a bit misleading. Outside of a Week 3 game against Notre Dame, Ohio State has primarily beat up on “scheduled win” opponents. And about that Notre Dame game… the final 17-14 score looks like a monster road win over the then 9^th-ranked Irish, but in reality, Notre Dame gifted the Buckeyes a victory they had no business taking.

As a first-year starter, Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord has been a mixed bag this season, adding to reasons not to fully trust the Buckeyes just yet.

Asking Maryland to storm into Columbus and shock the world is a tall ask, but believing they’ll get rolled could be irresponsible. 

Bud Parmalee’s Pick: OVER 57.0

There’s something about the Buckeyes laying 20 that just doesn’t sit right, as Ohio State’s No. 4 national ranking feels as if it’s based more on reputation than reality. With a moneyline price of -1400, it makes little sense to play it safe that way; the Buckeyes should win, but there’s too much risk in the spread and not enough reward in the moneyline. As such, take the over. Both teams have excellent offenses, so take advantage of it. Behind TreyVeon Henderson, the Buckeyes have been running the ball effectively at 5.1 yards per carry and 149 yards per game. In this game, they’ll wisely look for Henderson to carry the load. Maryland will counter with a passing game that’s fueled by Taulia Tagovailoa, one of the country’s top signal callers. The scoreboard operator in Columbus will be busy on Saturday, so take the over.

NFL: Houston Texans at Atlanta Falcons

The Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons are both 2-2, which is about as good of a start as either of them could have asked for. Both finished with poor records last season and were given high overall picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Texans selected C.J. Stroud with the second-overall pick, while the Falcons took Bijan Robinson at No. 8. Both Stroud and Robinson have helped improve their teams and have been arguably the two best rookies in the league thus far.

Stroud has thrown for more than 1,200 yards (fourth in the league) and six touchdowns so far. He’s been as advertised early in his career.

The Texans also hired a new head coach this offseason in DeMeco Ryans. He was the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers prior to accepting the job. Not surprisingly, Houston has a top-10 defense in points allowed. The Texans are currently on a two-game winning streak and are looking to keep it going.

The Falcons on the other hand, are on a two-game losing streak. They started the year off strong with two wins over the Panthers and Packers. But they have been outscored 43-13 against the Lions and Jaguars.

Quarterback Desmond Ridder has received much of the blame. He has thrown for three touchdowns and three interceptions on the year.

Those two losses have come on the road, though. They now head back home, where they are undefeated.

Steve Quinne’s Pick: Houston M/L (+105)

The line right now is at 1.5 in favor of Atlanta. However, it has been made abundantly clear that the Texans have been the better team in the last two weeks. C.J. Stroud is living up to the hype and the Texans defense is shutting down teams they’re not supposed to. It should be a good game but take the Texans to win.

NFL: Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers

This one should be fun. Two of the league’s best teams will be squaring off in primetime for “Sunday Night Football.”

The Cowboys come into this contest with a 3-1 record, while the 49ers come in undefeated at 4-0. The 49ers will be at home and are currently a 4.0-point favorite.

The Cowboys have the No. 1-rated defense in the NFL, as they have given up just 41 points in four games. Amazingly, 28 of those points were against the Cardinals in their one loss of the season. In their three wins, Dallas has given up 0, 10 and 3 points for a total of 13 combined.

Much of that success can be attributed to edge rusher Micah Parsons. Parsons is currently the favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award. He has 4.0 sacks, six tackles for loss and one forced fumble thus far.

But this week poses a challenge unlike any other. The 49ers are widely regarded as the best team in the NFL right now, and rightfully so. They are one of only two undefeated teams and have a point differential of +67.

Their offense, led by quarterback Brock Purdy, is a juggernaut. Christian McCaffrey is undoubtedly the best running back in football, tight end George Kittle is one of the league’s best at his position, and wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk are quite possibly the most lethal receiving duo there is. Not to mention, the offensive line is elite and their defense has been stout all season as well.

Right now, the Niners are the team to beat. However, the Cowboys will be their toughest test of the season by a longshot. So far, the 49ers have faced the Steelers, Rams, Giants and Cardinals. Those teams are a combined 6-10.

But home-field advantage applies no matter who walks in the building, especially for the 49ers. The 49ers haven’t lost a game at Levi’s Stadium since Oct. 23, 2022. Not only that, but Brock Purdy has never lost a home game in his entire career.

Steve Quinne’s Pick: San Francisco -4.0 (-110)

When it comes to the 49ers, there is one simple rule. Don’t bet against them. It’s a sure thing that Kyle Shanahan and Co. will out gameplan Mike McCarthy, and that will almost surely lead to a 49ers victory. Take the Niners to cover the spread. They simply have too much firepower.