If the Oklahoma Sooners are going to play themselves back into national playoff contention, it has to start this week with an impressive performance at home against Iowa State. OU has won 15 of the last 16 meetings, although Iowa State was victorious in its most recent visit to Norman — winning 38-31 as a 31-point dog in 2017.
- Iowa State Cyclones vs Oklahoma Sooners (Matchup Report)
- Date/Time: November 9, 8 p.m. ET
- TV Coverage: FOX
- Sportsbook Odds: Oklahoma -16 | O/U 66.5 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Oklahoma opened as 16-point chalk, the third-lowest point spread in the last 13 meetings between these Big 12 rivals. Bettors were quick to take the points with the Cyclones, betting the number down to 13.5 by Sunday night.
Iowa State News & Notes
Cyclones coach Matt Campbell probably spent the entire bye week harping on his team about getting back to playing Iowa State football. That was Campbell’s biggest lament after the Cyclones’ most recent outing, a 34-27 homecoming loss to Oklahoma State.
Iowa State uncharacteristically gave up a trio of scoring plays of 50-plus yards on defense, and the Cyclones offense turned the ball over repeatedly (including three fourth-quarter interceptions of sophomore QB Brock Purdy) and struggled in the red zone.
“We know there’s a brand that is successful, that’s when we play at our best,” Campbell told reporters. “We’ll see if we can continue to pound away … and be the best version of us that we need to be.”
What is Iowa State football, you might ask? Well, it’s a team that’s extremely efficient on offense (the Cyclones rank seventh in the nation in yards per play) and stingy on defense (32nd in total yards allowed, even after the loss to OSU). Except when they play Oklahoma, that is. Iowa State has allowed at least 31 points in eight straight meetings with the Sooners, with six of those matchups going OVER the total.
Oklahoma News & Notes
The Sooners have cashed a lot of tickets for their backers over the years following a bye week. Oklahoma is 13-7 ATS in its last 20 games after enjoying a week off, including five outright victories as an underdog.
Most of those stats were compiled under former longtime head coach Bob Stoops, but third-year coach Mike Riley continued that tradition two months ago with a 55-16 rout of Texas Tech following OU’s bye in Week 4.
Of greater concern for Sooners fans in this one, however, is how their players will respond to a crushing 48-41 loss at Kansas State two weeks ago. Oklahoma nearly dug its way out of an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit, pulling within a touchdown and then appearing to recover an onside kick with 1:45 to go. But an illegal touching penalty gave the Wildcats the ball instead — and handed the Sooners (who were 21.5-point favorites) a loss that could end up crippling their national playoff hopes.
History is on OU’s side when it comes to the chances of a strong bounce-back performance, though. The Sooners haven’t lost consecutive regular-season games since 1999.
Betting Pick: Sooners -13.5
The Cyclones have covered the last three meetings, but I like Oklahoma to turn the tables here with a strong defensive performance. OU has not allowed more than 16 points at home since the Sportsbook week of the season.
- The total has gone OVER in 11 of Oklahoma’s last 15 games vs Big 12 foes.
- Iowa State is 1-15 SU in its last 16 games vs Oklahoma.
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Iowa State’s last 7 games vs Oklahoma.
