Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Utah Utes Picks and Predictions September 21st 2024

Utah and Oklahoma State are both 3-0 heading into this week four matchup, which is set to kick off at 4:00 ET from Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. The game will be broadcast on FOX, and the Utes are the slight -1.5-point road favorites. The over/under line is currently 52.5 points. The money line odds are -127 for Utah and +105 for Oklahoma State.

Utah vs. Oklahoma State Key Information

Utah is now 3-0 after defeating Utah State on the road. The Utes were -19.5 point favorites but won by a score of 38-21, failing to cover the spread. The over/under line was set at 43.5 points, and the game finished with 59 combined points.

Utah State led 7-3 after the first quarter, but the Utes outscored them 14-7 in the second quarter to take a 17-14 lead at halftime. Utah extended their lead to 28-21 by the end of the third quarter and added 10 unanswered points in the fourth to come out on top.

Utah’s offense was in sync in their 38-21 win over Utah State, racking up 462 total yards and 23 first downs. The ground game was effective, producing 223 yards, while the passing game added 239 yards and three touchdowns. Isaac Wilson completed 60.6% of his passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns, finishing with a passer rating of 100.44. His top target, Brant Kuithe, caught three passes for 68 yards.

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Micah Bernard led the rushing attack with 123 yards on 17 carries, averaging 7.2 yards per attempt. He also found the end zone once on the ground.

Utah’s defense will be looking to improve after giving up 392 total yards and 245 passing yards in their last game. They allowed 147 rushing yards on 33 attempts but managed to limit Utah State to 14 first downs. Despite giving up two passing touchdowns, the Utes’ secondary came up with two interceptions.

Oklahoma State is now 3-0 after a 45-10 road win over Tulsa. The Cowboys, favored by -17.5 points, not only won but also covered the spread. The game’s over/under was 63.5 points, but the teams combined for only 55 points, resulting in the under hitting.

Oklahoma State dominated from the start, leading 7-0 after the first quarter and then exploding for 21 points in the second quarter to go up 28-0 at halftime. The Cowboys added 10 more points in the third quarter, and although Tulsa scored in the fourth, Oklahoma State still came out on top by 35 points.

Oklahoma State’s offense was on fire in their 45-10 win over Tulsa, racking up 560 total yards and 25 first downs. The Cowboys’ passing game was particularly effective, with Alan Bowman throwing for 396 yards and five touchdowns. Bowman completed 77.4% of his passes and finished with a passer rating of 144.83. De’Zhaun Stribling was his top target, hauling in seven receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns.

Oklahoma State’s defense allowed 352 total yards in their most recent game, with Tulsa gaining 236 yards through the air. The Cowboys’ secondary limited Tulsa to 19 completions on 37 pass attempts and came up with one interception. On the ground, Oklahoma State gave up 116 yards and one rushing touchdown.

The Lean

With the over/under line set at 52.5 points, our projection of 52 total points suggests that taking the under is the best play. We have Utah winning this matchup on the road by a score of 27-25. Utah is the slight -1.5 point favorite on the road, and we expect them to cover the spread in a close game that comes down to the wire.

No. 12 Utah and No. 14 Oklahoma State Meet for First Time Since 1945

It’s been nearly eight decades since Utah and Oklahoma State last squared off on the football field. The two teams, now ranked No. 12 and No. 14, respectively, are set to clash this Saturday in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the first time since 1945. A lot has changed in college football since then, but the stakes are higher than ever as both programs open their Big 12 Conference schedules.

With each team sporting a 3-0 record, this game could have significant playoff implications down the line. Both Utah and Oklahoma State are expected to contend for the Big 12 title, and a victory could provide one team with an early edge toward reaching the new 12-team College Football Playoff. On the flip side, a loss could make that path much more difficult.

“They’re all big, right? In college football now, every game matters,” said Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy.

Quarterback Duel Between Veterans

One of the most intriguing aspects of this game is the quarterback matchup. Utah’s Cam Rising and Oklahoma State’s Alan Bowman are two of the most experienced players in college football, with Rising at 25 years old and Bowman at 24. Their combined age of 49 is notable in a sport where youth often dominates the field, and it’s a stark contrast to the much younger quarterbacks starting in the NFL.

Rising, a seasoned leader for the Utes, has been sidelined with a finger injury since the third quarter of a victory over Baylor two weeks ago. However, he’s expected to return for this pivotal matchup.

“That’s all you ever dreamed of as a kid is just playing in big-time football games, and this is a great Oklahoma State team,” Rising said. “I’m just chomping at the bit to get out there and get this thing going.”

Despite missing time, Rising has been highly efficient in the limited action he’s seen. In just over six quarters of play, he’s completed 18 of 29 passes for 346 yards and seven touchdowns, showing why he’s considered one of the top quarterbacks in the conference. Utah’s offense has thrived with a balanced attack, led by running back Micah Bernard, who has rushed for 274 yards on 41 carries, and a deep receiving corps, with four players already surpassing 100 receiving yards this season.

On the other side, Bowman has been lighting up defenses. Last week, he torched Tulsa for 396 yards and five touchdowns in a 45-10 blowout win. Through three games, Bowman has thrown for 967 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions, completing 67 percent of his passes.

Bowman’s favorite target has been De’Zhaun Stribling, who has hauled in 17 catches for 295 yards and two scores. The connection between Bowman and Stribling has been one of the Cowboys’ offensive highlights this season.

Ground Game Key for Oklahoma State

While Bowman and the passing game have been clicking, Oklahoma State has yet to get its ground game going at full throttle. Running back Ollie Gordon II, who rushed for 1,732 yards last season, has struggled to replicate that production through three games. He’s managed just 216 rushing yards on 3.5 yards per carry, and Tulsa held him to 41 yards on 17 carries last week.

Despite these modest numbers, Gundy isn’t too concerned, explaining that defensive schemes have often stacked the box against Gordon.

“We ran the ball well Saturday when we had an equal number or half-man disadvantage,” Gundy said. “We didn’t run the ball well when they had one or two extra people there.”

Gordon’s ability to break through Utah’s defense, which has shown solid play so far this season, could be a determining factor in how Oklahoma State’s offense performs on Saturday. If the Cowboys can establish the run, it will take pressure off Bowman and open up more opportunities in the passing game.

High Stakes in Conference Play

With both teams coming in undefeated and ranked, this matchup carries added significance as the Big 12 Conference opener for both programs. A win would not only put one team in the driver’s seat early in the conference race but could also position them well for a run at the new 12-team playoff format.

For Utah, a victory on the road would be a huge boost as they continue to solidify their spot among the nation’s elite teams. The Utes’ combination of a veteran quarterback, a strong run game, and a solid defense has made them a formidable opponent, and they’ll need all three phases to be clicking against a talented Oklahoma State team.

For Oklahoma State, protecting their home field will be crucial. Gundy’s squad has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly through the air, but they’ll need a more balanced offensive attack and a strong defensive showing to keep the Utes at bay.

Conclusion: A Historic Matchup with Modern Stakes

Saturday’s game between Utah and Oklahoma State is not just a rematch of a contest from 79 years ago — it’s a high-stakes battle that could have lasting implications for both teams’ playoff hopes. With two veteran quarterbacks leading the way, and both teams looking to prove themselves in the Big 12, this game promises to be a thrilling matchup with significant ramifications.

As both programs aim to remain unbeaten and make their mark in the conference race, all eyes will be on Stillwater to see who can come out on top in this long-awaited clash.