Tulsa vs. Oklahoma State Pick
Can No. 10 Oklahoma State cruise to a three-score win over Tulsa when the two teams open their 2017 season on Thursday at 7:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Oklahoma State is favored at home tonight, as the Cowboys are getting odds of -18 points against Tulsa. The over/under total for the game is listed at 69 points. These two haven’t met since 2011, but the Cowboys have won and covered the spread in the last two encounters. Thursday’s game takes place from Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma and will air live on FS1.
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Oklahoma State is coming off a 10-3 record in 2016 in which it went 8-5 against the spread. The Cowboys were an offensive power, putting up 38.6 points per game while allowing 26.5 per contest. Mason Rudolph returns to lead the offense in 2017 after throwing for 4,091 yards and 28 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Also returning is James Washington, who caught 71 passes for 1,380 yards and 10 touchdowns. Justice Hill returns in the backfield as well. He rushed for 1,142 yards and six touchdowns in 2016.
Tulsa is also coming off a 10-3 record in the 2016 season. The Golden Hurricanes were 9-4 against the spread. Tulsa had an even-more impressive offense than Oklahoma State, averaging 42.5 points per game last year. Defensively, the Golden Hurricanes gave up 29.8 points per game. Tulsa has to replace QB Dane Evans, who threw for 3,348 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2016. Chad President and Luke Skipper have been battling for the starting spot. Tulsa also loses James Flanders in the backfield. He rushed for 1,619 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. D’Angelo Brewer does return. He ran for 1,425 yards and seven touchdowns in 2016. The Hurricanes also lose their leading receivers Keevan Lucas and Josh Atkinson. The two combined for 159 receptions, 2,238 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Bet on Tulsa vs. Oklahoma State
Normally Tulsa is a team I would think can compete, but the Golden Hurricanes have a lot to replace at the key positions. Tulsa will be using a new quarterback with little experience, new running backs to mix with Brewer and new receivers. Oklahoma State returns a lot of talent from its 2016 offense that was dominant. The Cowboys should be able to put up a big number while the defense makes some stop against this adjusting Tulsa squad. I like the Cowboys to cover at home.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: OKLAHOMA STATE -18