Oklahoma State vs. Central Arkansas | How to Watch, Odds, Predictions, & Storylines

Zachary LowSeptember 2, 2023 No Comments

Kickoff: 6 PM CT

Location:  Boone Pickens Stadium (Stillwater, Oklahoma)

Television: ESPN+

Radio: Cowboy Radio Network

Twitter: Follow @HeartlandPokes for live tweets during the game

Official Game Notes

How the Cowboys Win

Oklahoma State has won 27 straight home openers, and Mike Gundy is 14-0 against FCS schools. Barring some sort of disaster, the Cowboys should have no issue picking up a win today.

How the Bears Win

Central Arkansas is a team of no consequence for Oklahoma State. Considering the fact that the Cowboys are very clearly gearing up for a rebuilding year, the Bears could take advantage of the opportunity and spring a surprise upset. It’s not likely, but crazier things have happened.

Staff Score Predictions

Craig33-7 Oklahoma State
Matt31-23 Oklahoma State
Zack51-13 Oklahoma State
Five Predictions for Oklahoma State Football in 2023

An Oklahoma State Win Would…

  • Give the Cowboys 28 consecutive wins in home openers, increasing the longest streak in school history. Only Florida (33) has a longer active streak among all FBS teams.
  • Set a school record with nine consecutive wins in season openers. In addition to the active streak, there were also eight straight wins in season openers from 1981-88 and from 1928-35.
  • Improve the Cowboys’ non-conference home winning streak to 13 games, improving the third-longest streak in school history and the longest since the 15-game streak from Sept. 19, 2009 – Sept. 3, 2016.
  • Give the Cowboys wins in nine straight, 15 of its past 16, 18 of its past 20, and 35 of its past 43 season openers.
  • Give the Cowboys 11 straight wins in September games, dating to 2019.
  • Improve Mike Gundy’s record in September games to 55-12.
  • Improve Mike Gundy’s record against non-Power Five teams to 43-4.
  • Improve Mike Gundy’s record in season openers to 17-2 and his record in home openers to 19-0.
  • Improve Mike Gundy’s record in non-conference games to 62-14.
  • Improve Mike Gundy’s record against FCS teams to 15-0.
  • Give the Cowboys wins in 48 of its past 54 home openers.
  • Make OSU 23-3 in its past 26 non-conference games and 45-9 in its past 53 non-conference games.
  • Give the Cowboys wins in nine of its past 12 and in 22 of its past 28 games following a loss.
  • Make OSU 22-8 in its past 30 games overall, dating back to the 2020 season.

Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game

  • OSU has won eight consecutive season openers and 27 consecutive home openers, both OSU records.
  • OSU has held 30 of its past 33 Big 12 opponents under their season scoring average entering the game.
  • OSU has won 81 consecutive games when holding its opponent to fewer than 20 points, dating back
    to Sept. 13, 2003 – the longest active stretch of time in the FBS and the longest since at least 1980.
  • OSU has held its opponent scoreless on its game-opening drive in 30 of its past 44 games.
  • OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50% third down conversion rate in 37 of its past 38 games.
  • OSU is 34-15 in its last 49 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
  • OSU is 44-8 in its last 52 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
  • Dating back to 2005, OSU is 45-4 when not committing a turnover.
  • Dating back to 2008, OSU is 74-8 when winning the turnover battle.
  • OSU has won three of its past five overtime games.
  • Over the past 38 games, OSU has held opponents to 158-for-573 (27.6%) on third down.

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