We've got a battle between two teams in the Sooner State on Saturday afternoon in Tulsa.
Oklahoma State heads east to take on the Golden Hurricane in what is always a fun interstate matchup.
The two teams enter this game in different directions, with the Cowboys coming from behind at home to beat Arkansas and Tulsa falling to Arkansas State in a close one last Saturday.
Below is my Oklahoma State vs. Tulsa prediction.
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Tulsa Golden Hurricane Odds
| OK State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-17 -115 | 62.5 -115o / -105u | -1000 |
| Tulsa Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+17 -105 | 62.5 -115o / -105u | +625 |
- Point Spread: Oklahoma State -18.5 (-112) · Tulsa +18.5 (-108)
- Total: Over/Under 63.5
- Moneyline: Oklahoma State -100 · Tulsa +650
- Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Tulsa Golden Hurricane Pick: Tulsa +19.5
How to Watch Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Tulsa Golden Hurricane
| Location: | Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, OK |
| Date: | Saturday, Sept. 14 |
| Kickoff Time: | 12 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN2 |
Oklahoma State Football vs Tulsa Golden Hurricane Preview
The Pokes won a game they had absolutely no business winning last week.
Arkansas outgained Oklahoma State 648 to 385 and led 21-7 at the half before a wild comeback ensued. The Cowboys capitalized on a pick-six as well as some Arkansas special teams mistakes, and then made the plays they needed to make in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Oklahoma State will need to be much better on the defensive end moving forward if it wants to compete for a Big 12 Championship, let alone take care of Tulsa this week.
To make matters worse, veteran LB Collin Oliver left the Arkansas game in the first half, and per Mike Gundy, he will be out at least a month. Oliver had been a four-year contributor to the defense and was the Cowboys' leading pass rusher as well as a respected leader in the locker room. His absence will put even more pressure on LB Nick Martin to fly around the field and make plays.
If there's a positive in the secondary for Bryan Nardo's unit, it would be Kendal Daniels, who has made plays both coming up to stop the run as well as in coverage.
On the other side of the ball, the Pokes need a veteran offensive line to start getting a better push up the middle. Just as the Razorbacks did, look for Tulsa to try to jam the box and contain Heisman candidate Ollie Gordon II as a ball carrier.
The Cowboys have not ran it all that well in their first two contests, which has put added pressure on Alan Bowman, who is not the most athletic in the pocket. Bowman has taken care of the ball, however, and players like Brennan Presley, Rashod Owens, and De'Zhaun Stribling remain talented weapons on the perimeter.
Meanwhile, Tulsa was very close to securing a 2-0 start to the season before letting a first-half lead get away to Arkansas State. The Golden Hurricane had two costly turnovers and couldn't find the end zone in the fourth quarter in a 28-24 defeat.
Kevin Wilson's team now heads home to welcome in Oklahoma State, and will need to turn the page quickly if it wants a chance to pull off the upset. Despite a tough loss last week, I think you'll see Tulsa's best punch here. Wilson has long been a good motivator, and if there is a game on the schedule the players had circled in the offseason, it's this one.
QB Kirk Francis has been very solid thus far in the young season, tossing five touchdowns to just one interception and completing just over 67% of his passes. He will have a chance to continue to be efficient through the air against an Oklahoma State secondary that can absolutely be had.
Tulsa will still need to be balanced offensively, however, and it has two capable backs in Lloyd Avant and Anthony Watkins.
Defensively, getting pressure on Bowman will be critical. Bowman is in his seventh year of college football, has a good command of the Oklahoma State offense, and is an accurate passer. What he does not have, however, is any sort of mobility. When Bowman has to get on the move, he often loses his accuracy and becomes very sackable.
As always, when trying to pull off an upset, forcing a turnover or two early would go a long way in giving belief to the Golden Hurricane.
Oklahoma State vs Tulsa Prediction
Mike Gundy would be the first to tell you that his Cowboy football team is far from a finished product at this point in the season. Gundy-coached teams tend to get better as the year goes on, with the staff adjusting scheme and finding the right roster combinations.
As a result, this is too many points for the Pokes to be laying going on the road to a capable Tulsa team that will come out with its hair on fire taking on one of the big boys in the state.
Ultimately, I believe the talent of the Cowboys will win out over the course of four quarters, but look for the Golden Hurricane to keep this very competitive, particularly in the first half.
Give me Tulsa as a nearly three-touchdown home underdog to hang inside the number and secure the cover.
Pick: Tulsa +19.5
College Football Betting Trends: Oklahoma State vs. Tulsa
- 15% of the bets and 10% of the money are on Oklahoma State to cover the Oklahoma State vs. Tulsa point spread.
- 19% of the bets and 31% of the money are on the over.
Oklahoma State vs Tulsa Weather
