Oklahoma vs Mississippi College World Series Picks and Predictions: Sooners Pick Up Big Win

Will a champion be crowned this afternoon in Omaha? It's Game 2 of the College Baseball World series.

Last night, Mississippi jumped on Oklahoma reasonably quickly. It scored two runs in the first inning, one earned and the other unearned. After that, it added a few more in the middle innings, then used the long ball to complete a 10-3 blowout. The Sooners now face an elimination game this afternoon, while the Rebels hope to make this the last game they play this season. 

Read our College Baseball betting picks and predictions for Mississippi vs. Oklahoma to see which side we'll be backing today. 

Oklahoma vs Mississippi odds

Odds courtesy of FanDuel on June 26, 2022.

Oklahoma vs Mississippi predictions

• Prediction: Oklahoma ML (+110)
• Prediction: Under 10.5 (+100)
• Best bet: Under 10.5 (+100)

Picks made on 6/26/2022 at 9:40 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.

Oklahoma vs Mississippi game info

• Location: Charles Schwab Field, Omaha, NB
• Date: Sunday, June 26, 2022
• First pitch: 3:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN+

Oklahoma vs Mississippi betting preview

Starting pitchers

Hunter Elliott (5-3, 2.70 ERA) Elliott is coming off one of the biggest wins in his young career. The freshman pitched just over six innings, worked through the trouble, and surrendered just one earned run in a win over Arkansas. The lefty has a big frame and favors a fastball that tops out in the low 90s. After that, a strong preference for a change-up gets good movement. He's averaged a little over a strikeout per inning for the Rebels this season. 

Cade Horton (5-2, 5.24 ERA) You've been able to find Horton everywhere this season for Oklahoma after recovering from Tommy John surgery. The sophomore has seen work both in the bullpen and third base before becoming a regular rotational starter later in the season. Because of all the moving around, his seasonal numbers are a bit misleading. However, in the postseason, Horton has been solid. He's given the Sooners four straight quality starts and became a dominant strikeout pitcher. In his previous start against Notre Dame, Horton threw 11 strikeouts and surrendered just one earned run. He locates a big curveball well and accompanies that with an electric fastball that has grabbed pro scouts' attention.

Oklahoma vs Mississippi picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Moneyline analysis

Last night's game was filled with oddities. Oklahoma's starting pitcher Jake Bennet had thrown three wild pitches all season and threw three in the first two innings. In addition to that, the Sooners' fielding was uncharacteristically shaky. I expect those things to be cleaned up today and for Oklahoma to force a decisive third game. Because of that, I'll be backing it here. 

Oklahoma has lost only two games since postseason play began, and there's a reason for that. It speaks to its resiliency, but it also speaks to the team's ability to adjust to a team effectively. That's the key today. 

Southpaws have and will be in excess for this series. The Sooners have struggled against them in the postseason, but they've also adjusted well to virtually every team they've faced. Last night they posted their lowest batting average at the plate in the postseason at .156.

This surpassed their previous low against Florida, which also came against a left-handed starter. Because of the southpaw aspect, it will not be pretty, but I'll take the approach of backing Oklahoma's ability to bounce back.

I'm also going to lean on the experience angle here. Rebels' pitcher Hunter Elliot dealt with some pressure against Arkansas when he gave up a few hits in a row. In that game, however, I believed he was bailed out a bit by the Razorbacks' freely swinging on balls located poorly.

If Oklahoma shows a little more poise and patience at the plate, can the freshman deal his way out of trouble for a second straight game? I'm betting on no. The Sooners were poor yesterday in positions, with runners in scoring position. Again something uncharacteristic to them. I think they capitalize today and bounce back.

Prediction: Oklahoma moneyline (+115 at FanDuel)

Over/Under analysis

There's a lot to like about the Under here, whether it be Oklahoma's issues against left-handed pitchers, Mississippi's struggles against strikeout pitching, or the height of the moment. That's why I'll be riding it today. 

Game 2s in Omaha have gone Over a double-digit total just once since 2009. Oddly enough, that came last year when Mississippi State won 13-2. The previous games before then all topped out at a total of 9. That speaks to a few things about improving college pitching, but the biggest angle is that one manager's approach leads to a short hook.

Despite the blowout yesterday, Oklahoma could keep its bullpen well rested after a seven-inning performance by its starter. So I feel confident backing it to keep this one low-scoring if it gets there. I'm not sure it'll need them, though.

Cade Horton has grabbed MLB scouts' attention in Omaha. His raw arm strength has been on display hitting radar guns at 99 mph with his fastball. He accompanied that with a slider that has excellent movement. Scouts will be on the lookout for him today, and I expect him to deliver in a favorable matchup.

The Rebels struck out 12 times yesterday and, before defeating Arkansas in an elimination game to get to this point, had struck out at a double-digit clip in five consecutive games in the postseason. That's something that Horton will take advantage of in a big way.

Back the strength of Horton on the mound and the Sooner's left-handed-hitting issues to get this one Under.

Prediction: Under 10.5 (+100 at FanDuel)

Best bet

We have an ideal situation here for the Under today.

We haven't mentioned it yet, but a nice wind blowing in should keep fly balls down and limit the home run threat both teams possess. Of course, there's also the whole part about what's happening on the field. 

In some previous Game 2 matchups, some teams have had to worry about an overworked bullpen after a rough Game 1 outing by their starter. We don't have that issue today, but these games have historically gone Under at a very high clip, even if we did. To me, that speaks to the success of this play just as much as any matchup angle can.

Back the Under here today confidently. 

Pick: Under 10.5 (+100 at FanDuel)

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