Looking for a marquee matchup of elite running backs? You’ve come to the right place, as Breece Hall leads Iowa State into Stillwater for a date with Chuba Hubbard and Oklahoma State. The Cyclones (3-1 SU, 2-2 ATS) remained unbeaten in conference play with a 31-15 win over Texas Tech, while the Cowboys (3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS) saw their game vs Baylor postponed.
- Date/Time: October 24, 3:30 p.m. ET
- Stadium: Boone Pickens Stadium
- TV Coverage: Fox
- Sportsbook Odds: Oklahoma State -4 | O/U 54.5 (Line History)
- Iowa State vs Oklahoma State Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Cowboys kicked off the betting cycle as 4-point favorites, but the line has dipped to -3.5 at the majority of sportsbooks. The total is installed at 54.5.
Iowa State News & Notes
The Cyclones will go only as far as Hall carries them – and so far, the standout running back has lifted the team on his back. Hall has 135 or more rushing yards in each of his past three games, with seven rushing scores over that span. He enters the week ranked third in the nation in rushing yards, and has eight 100-yard efforts in 11 regular-season games since becoming a starter.
The question entering Week 8 is whether the Cyclones will be able to manufacture enough offense if Hall is shut down. The answer isn’t encouraging for Iowa State, with quarterback Brock Purdy having thrown just four touchdown passes through his first four games. Xavier Hutchinson and Charlie Kolar are the only options with more than 10 receptions so far.
Oklahoma State News & Notes
Given how he performed last season, it’s odd not to see Hubbard among the nation’s rushing leaders. But after a slow start to 2020, Hubbard started to return to form last time out with 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 47-7 drubbing of Kansas. He’s going to shoulder a significant load against the Cyclones, making him a must-roster option in all daily fantasy formats.
Hubbard isn’t the only player who stands to benefit from the Cowboys’ long layoff (they haven’t played since October 7). Quarterback Spencer Sanders is practicing in full and will likely get the start; he was injured in Oklahoma State’s opener after completing just two passes for 23 yards. His return should bolster a pass attack that averages just 193.3 yards per game through the air.
Betting Pick: UNDER 54.5 (-110)
Both teams present as somewhat one-dimensional on offense, and both defenses are capable of limiting the opponent’s damage on the ground. This total feels several points too high.
- Iowa State is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games.
- Oklahoma State is 7-2 SU and ATS in its last 9 games.
- The UNDER is 6-1 in Oklahoma State’s last 7 games.
