The Oklahoma State Cowboys were a talented but frustrating team in 2019 – and fans and bettors alike hope they can eradicate the latter issue as they kick off their college football season Saturday against visiting Tulsa. The Cowboys had no trouble scoring, however, and will look to ramp up the offense against a Tulsa team that struggled to keep opponents out of the end zone.
- Date/Time: September 19, 12 noon ET
- Stadium: Boone Pickens Stadium
- TV Coverage: ESPN
- Sportsbook Odds: Oklahoma State -20.5 | O/U 61 (Line History)
- Tulsa vs Oklahoma State Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
The Cowboys kicked things off as hefty 20.5-point favorites, but you’ll find only -22 and -22.5 at the majority of sportsbooks. The total of 61 has jumped to as high as 66.5.
Tulsa News & Notes
It will be interesting to see how oddsmakers treat the totals for Golden Hurricane games in 2020. For the time being, there’s probably a good chance that whatever number you see will be too low – and that’s thanks largely to a Tulsa defense that allowed 31.3 points per game last season and will be without seven of its top 10 tacklers from 2019.
That level of turnover puts even more pressure on a Tulsa offense led by Zach Smith, who threw for nearly 3,300 yards with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions a season ago. He doesn’t run much, so he isn’t a solid DFS play Saturday, but Keylon Stokes is worth a look after hauling in 62 passes for a team-leading 1,049 yards and six touchdowns with Tulsa last season.
Oklahoma State News & Notes
When you boast nine returning offensive starters, you’re probably in good shape. And when the cornerstone of those returnees is coming off a 2,094-yard, 21-touchdown season, you’re probably in very good shape. Running back Chuba Hubbard will look to make an immediate splash against a Golden Hurricane defense that allowed more than 185 rushing yards per game in 2019.
While the running game is anchored by a surefire 2021 first-round draft pick, the passing attack is less impressive going into the 2020 season. Spencer Sanders threw for just over 2,000 yards last season with an ugly 16:11 touchdown-to-interception ratio and could find himself on the bench in favor of freshman Shane Illingworth if he doesn’t get off to a good start.
Betting Pick: OVER 66.5 (-110)
Both teams should be able to put points on the board – and that’s especially true for an Oklahoma State team boasting one of the top running backs in the nation.
- Tulsa is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road.
- Oklahoma State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in Oklahoma State’s last 4 games.
