Kickoff: 3 PM CT
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium (Stillwater, Oklahoma)
Television: FOX
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Twitter: Follow @HeartlandPokes for live tweets during the game
The Oklahoma State Cowboys open up conference play this weekend as they host Big 12 newcomer Utah in a battle of undefeated teams ranked in the top 15. The Cowboys rolled to their third win last week with a 45-10 win on the road against Tulsa as Utah moved to 3-0 with a 38-21 over Utah State.
The Cowboys and the Utes have met only once in history, a 46-6 win on October 20, 1945, but this one is expected to be a lot closer. Utah is just a 1-point favorite ahead of kickoff, but Oklahoma State has won 11 of its past 13 home games against ranked teams. Last year, the Cowboys went 2-0 at home against ranked teams, defeating #23 Kansas and #9 Oklahoma.
Utah has a formidable offense led by quarterback Cameron Rising, who sat out week due to a laceration on his throwing hand sustained in the week prior. Rising is expected to play today, so the Cowboys will need to be keyed in on him early as he is capable of causing damaging both through the air and on the ground. He is also the only starting quarterback in Division 1 football that is older than Cowboy quarterback Alan Bowman.
The quarterback matchup is one that will receive plenty of spotlight in this matchup, but it’s the defenses that will make the difference in this one. Oklahoma State has the worst defense in the Big 12, statistically speaking, while Utah is closer to the top. The Cowboys have played a more difficult schedule so far, so that must be taken into consideration, but regardless, this game will likely be decided by who can get a stop when it counts the most.
How the Cowboys Win
Oklahoma State’s offense has to be able to establish some sort of ground game, at least more than they have in recent weeks. Ollie Gordon II entered the season as a Heisman contender, but he’s looked like just another dude lately. Part of the reason for Gordon’s lack of success at running is the ball is due to defenses focusing so heavily on him, which in turn has allowed Alan Bowman to pick apart the opponent’s secondary, but Utah will be perhaps the best team that the Cowboys play all season, so they are going to need to move the ball at both levels today.
How the Utes Win
Utah’s offense is capable of keeping up with the Cowboys, particularly if Cam Rising is healthy, but it would go a long way for the Utes if they can force Oklahoma State into some turnovers. If Utah wins the turnovers battle, it’s likely that they will also leave Stillwater with a win.
Odds & Predictions
Staff Score Predictions
| Staff | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Caleb | 38-31 Utah |
| Craig | 33-28 Oklahoma State |
| Matt | 27-24 Oklahoma State |
| Zack | 38-34 Oklahoma State |
An Oklahoma State Win Would…
- Give the Cowboys eight straight home wins vs. AP Top 25 teams, improving the second longest active streak in the FBS and the longest in school history. Only Georgia has a longer active streak.
- Mark Mike Gundy’s 41st career win vs. an AP Top 25 opponent. No other active coach has more wins at his current school.
- Make the Cowboys 12-2 in home games against AP-ranked teams since 2018 – enough for the third-best winning percentage behind only Georgia (10-0) and Clemson (8-1).
- Make the Cowboys 4-0 for the fourth time in the past five years and for the eighth time in the Mike Gundy era.
- Give the Cowboys wins in 12 of its past 14 games.
- Mark the Cowboys’ 17th win over an AP Top 15 team during Mike Gundy’s tenure as head coach.
- Make the Cowboys 11-4 in its past 15 and 20-9 in its past 29 games vs. AP-ranked teams.
- Make the Cowboys 26-3 at Boone Pickens Stadium since 2020, marking the second-most home wins in the FBS during that time.
- Make it 11-6 in its past 17 games when both teams are ranked in the AP Top 25.
- Improve OSU’s all-time record against Utah to 2-0 and its record vs. Utah in Stillwater to 1-0.
- Make the Cowboys 35-12 in its past 47 games overall, dating back to the 2020 season.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game
- Ollie Gordon II has rushed for more than 100 yards in 10 of the past 14 games, but he has not broken 50 yards in the last 2 games.
- OSU is one of three power conference teams that has not allowed a sack in 2024.
- OSU’s offensive line has not allowed a sack in nine of its past 13 games.
- OSU is 13-0 in the past 13 games when winning or tying the turnover battle.
- OSU has held 34 of its past 43 Big 12 opponents under their season scoring average entering the game.
- OSU has won 86 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 longest since at least 1980. Including games when opponents have scored 20 points or fewer, the streak begins at the same date and includes 94 games.
- OSU has held its opponent scoreless on its game-opening drive in 43 of its past 61 games.
- OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50% third down conversion rate in 49 of its past 55 games.
- OSU is 40-16 in its past 56 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
- OSU is 51-8 in its past 59 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
- Dating back to 2005, OSU is 49-4 when not committing a turnover.
- Dating back to 2008, OSU is 82-8 when winning the turnover battle.
- OSU has won five of its past seven overtime games.
- Over the past 52 games, OSU has held opponents to 259-for-817 (31.7%) on third down