Application-oriented talents are one of the major talent gaps currently. However, the traditional teaching methods cannot meet the needs of cultivating applied technical talents. Classroom teaching reform is an important link in improving applied talent-cultivation system. In this paper, characteristics of applied undergraduate teaching and problems of classroom teaching are analyzed first, and following the criteria of golden course, the research and practice on blended learning based on SPOC for engineering courses in application-oriented universities is carried out with the soil mechanics course as an example from the aspects of teaching design, classroom assessment, student achievement and teaching reflection. The practice shows that without the increase of class hours after blended learning, study initiatives are improved and good effects have been got. It provides reference for engineering curriculum construction and teaching practice in application-oriented universities and better practices the teaching concept of "student-centered, outcome-based and ability-oriented".