Kickoff: 2:30 PM CT
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium (Stillwater, Oklahoma)
Television: Streaming on ESPN+
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Twitter: Follow @HeartlandPokes for live tweets during the game
The Oklahoma State Cowboys have lost 7 straight games, and they are officially out of bowl contention. By some standards, there’s not much reason to play, but I would hope that Mike Gundy and Co. have enough pride to know you play the game for much more than just a bowl game. With two games remaining on the season, perhaps Oklahoma State can put some things together in order to finish the season on a high note…or a not-so-low note at the least.
One last time in BPS this season pic.twitter.com/pwbDUJMO3n
— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) November 23, 2024
32 seniors will suit up in the Cowboy uniform their final home game on Saturday as Oklahoma State hosts the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Red Raiders enter the game with a 6-4 record, and they have had varied success against conference competition this season on their way to a 4-3 record. The Cowboys are a slight underdog in this one, but if they get down early, it could turn into a blowout. Oklahoma State needs to do whatever it takes to put together a win in order to send off the seniors in a manner that honors their hard work and dedication over the years.
Team captains for today 🤠#GoPokes | #DAT pic.twitter.com/bTt0ejr7vt
— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) November 23, 2024
How the Cowboys Win
Oklahoma State has to score early. It doesn’t have to be on the first drive of the game, but they absolutely cannot enter halftime trailing by double digits like they have in recent games. If the Cowboys can get an early lead, perhaps they can figure out how to hold on to it. In order for that to happen, Ollie Gordon needs to find some success on the ground, and Alan Bowman has to be patient in the pocket. Opportunities will open up for the offense if they allow themselves to do so. The key word here is PATIENCE not PANIC.
How the Red Raiders Win
Texas Tech’s has the highest-scoring offense in the conference, and it’s primarily because of their air raid—shocking, I know. They likely won’t struggle to score, so the big key for the Red Raiders is taking the ball away from the Cowboy offense, whether it be via interception/fumble or forcing 3-and-outs. If Texas Tech’s defense can get some stops and even a turnover or two, they very well could turn this one into a blowout.
Odds & Predictions
Staff Score Predictions
| Staff | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Caleb | Texas Tech 38 – Oklahoma State 13 |
| Craig | Texas Tech 33 – Oklahoma State 24 |
| Matt | Texas Tech 38 – Oklahoma State 28 |
| Zack | Texas Tech 34 – Oklahoma State 21 |
An Oklahoma State Win Would…
- Make the Cowboys 98-28 in its past 126 games vs. opponents outside of the AP Top 25, dating to 2010.
- Give the Cowboys wins in 13 of its past 23 and in 26 of its past 39 games following a loss.
- Improve Mike Gundy’s record in November games to 42-33.
- Improve Mike Gundy’s record in Big 12 games to 103-70 and move him to one game away from tying Bill Snyder for the second-most Big 12 wins in conference history.
- Improve OSU’s all-time record vs. Texas Tech to 25-23-3 and its record vs. TTU in Stillwater to 15-8.
- Give the Cowboys wins in 13 of the past 15 games against TTU and in 10 of the past 11 games vs. TTU in Stillwater.
- Improve Mike Gundy’s record versus Texas Tech to 15-4.
- Make the Cowboys 35-19 in its past 54 games overall, dating back to the 2020 season.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game
- Brennan Presley has multiple catches in 39 straight games, the second longest active streak in the FBS.
- Trey Rucker has recorded at least 10 tackles in four of his eight games played this season.
- Oklahoma State is 5-for-5 on two-point conversion attempts this season and the five successful twopoint conversions are tied for the most in the FBS.
- Ollie Gordon II has rushed for more than 100 yards in 11 of the past 20 games.
- OSU’s offensive line has not allowed a sack in 11 of its past 19 games.
- OSU is 13-2 in the past 15 games when winning or tying the turnover battle.
- Dating back to 2008, OSU is 82-10 when winning the turnover battle.
- Dating back to 2005, OSU is 49-4 when not committing a turnover.
- OSU has held 35 of its past 49 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, the longest since at least 1980 and likely the longest in college football history. 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 45 of its past 67 games.
- OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50% third down conversion rate in 52 of its past 61 games.
- OSU is 40-18 in its past 58 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
- OSU is 51-9 in its past 60 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
- OSU has won five of its past seven overtime games.
- Over the past 57 games, OSU has held opponents to 294-for-897 (32.8%) on third down.