Brent Venables is running back one of his favorite plays — the injury okey doke. Three years ago, he kept everyone guessing about a concussed Dillon Gabriel right up until kickoff in the Red River Rivalry.
Now it’s John Mateer’s turn.
Oklahoma’s star quarterback had surgery on his throwing hand 15 days ago, but sources say he’s “pushing to play” Saturday against Texas. Las Vegas oddsmakers have been following the money all week and are bracing for another swing to the line.
Mateer’s hand isn’t just the story of the weekend — it’s the axis of the entire college board. His status impacts the line, total and Heisman Trophy futures market.
🎙 Vegas Voices
“Oh, I remember [the Gabriel okey doke],” South Point sportsbook director Chris Andrews told me. “We wrote a bunch of Oklahoma money at the wire. Then the quarterback ran out of the tunnel in gym shorts at kickoff.”
So… is Mateer playing?
“I have no idea,” Andrews admitted.
Texas opened as a 3-point favorite and got as high as -3.5 in Vegas before ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Mateer’s progression. The number crashed to Texas -1 and PK earlier this week before resistance finally showed on the Horns.
Mateer was upgraded to “probable” on Thursday night’s injury report, but so was Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons a few weeks ago. Remember, Simmons did not play.
“I don’t think he goes,” one former bookmaker said. “We don’t even know if he’ll be able to grip the ball. This feels like a good entry point on Texas. They’re forbidden fruit.”
👑 Mighty Monarchs
You may remember Wynn Resorts bookmaker Motoi Pearson’s banger quote a couple weeks ago when I asked him who the best team in the country was.
“It’s either Alabama or Old Dominion.”
Maybe he wasn’t kidding.
Don’t look now, but the Monarchs have been a machine. After losing to Indiana — and covering, mind you — they’re 4-0 with wins by 14, 19, 40 and 48. They’re legit.
Respected bettor and “Cover the Weekend” host Tommy Lorenzo agrees.
“The market is catching up,” Lorenzo said. “But Old Dominion is still head and shoulders above their opponent this week. Marshall struggles against the run and the Herd are susceptible to play action. It continues to be a major issue.”
📊 Sharp Report
Old Dominion -12 —> -14.5
Indiana +10 —> +7
Rice +13 —> +10.5
Toledo -9 —> -11.5
Purdue +10 —> +7.5
NC State-ND U62.5 —> 58.5
Arizona State-Utah U49.5 —> 47.5
Steelers -4.5 —> -6
Titans +6.5 —> +4
🔭 FCS Watch
Get ready. #VegasRick is firing another FCS total this Friday morning. Be on the lookout for a move on the Marist-Penn “Over.”
🥃 Flush Bartender
The Bartender went 2-0 last weekend with two no-doubt blowouts. The Colts and Texans were too easy for our guy. Find out what he likes this Saturday on X. “This one can’t lose.”
🐔 Chicken Picks
Here are the plays for this weekend.
Texas +1.5
Illinois +14.5
Old Dominion -14.5
Alabama -3
Seahawks +1
Lions +2.5
L/W: 4-2, +1.7 units
YTD: 14-18-1, -5.6 units
Follow Sam!
Bet Sweats | Bear Bets
Chicken Dinner | FOX Sports
“I don’t think [Mateer] goes. We don’t even know if he’ll be able to grip the ball. This feels like a good entry point on Texas. They’re forbidden fruit.”