Kickoff: 11 AM CT
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium (Stillwater, Oklahoma)
Television: TNT/TruTV/HBO Max
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Twitter: Follow @HeartlandPokes for live tweets during the game
The Oklahoma State Cowboys continue to trudge through their season as they prepare for a Saturday morning kickoff against the Houston Cougars. The latest edition of “What could go wrong for the Cowboys?” features a new quarterback who isn’t actually listed as a quarterback on the roster, as Sam Jackson V is slated to start at QB for the newly injured Zane Flores.
Regardless of who is running the offense for the Cowboys, it doesn’t seem like they can consistently put together enough points to beat anyone left on the schedule. The defense has had its moments in recent weeks, but it still allows far too many busted plays for too many points.
Today, the Cougars are just a bit over a two-touchdown favorite in Stillwater, and that honestly might not be enough points. The Cowboys have shown no real signs of turning the season around, and with all the shakeup in town, it’s to be expected. Still, perhaps the home crowd will show out on some level and offer enough enthusiasm to give the team a little extra to play for.
How the Cowboys Win
Not only does Oklahoma State need to score some points through traditional means via the offense, but it also likely needs to find some through a turnover or two, or perhaps even through the special teams. I don’t see a win if they keep doing what they have been doing, and some extra spark from an unexpected place would go a long way for the Cowboys.
How the Cougars Win
For Houston, the game plan should be pretty simple: keep playing defense like you have been, and be smart with the ball against one of the worst defenses in the conference. If the Cougars can play a clean, efficient game, they should leave Stillwater with the win.
Odds & Predictions
Staff Score Predictions
| Staff | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Caleb | Baylor 35 – Oklahoma State 17 |
| Craig | Arizona 38 – Oklahoma State 20 |
| Matt | Arizona 42 – Oklahoma State 14 |
| Zack | Arizona 41 – Oklahoma State 24 |
An Oklahoma State Win Would…
- Mark Doug Meacham’s first career win as a head coach.
- Improve OSU’s all-time record against Houston to 11-10-1.
- Improve OSU’s record against Houston in Stillwater to 6-5.
- Make OSU 36-25 in the past 61 games overall, dating to 2020.
- Make OSU 99-32 in the past 131 games vs. opponents outside of the AP Top 25, dating to 2010.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game
- Oklahoma State has not turned the ball over in three of its five games this season.
- Oklahoma State has converted 5 of its past 7 two-point conversion attempts dating to last season.
- OSU is 14-5 in the past 19 games when winning or tying the turnover battle.
- Dating back to 2008, OSU is 83-13 when winning the turnover battle.
- Dating back to 2005, OSU is 50-6 when not committing a turnover.
- OSU has held 35 of its past 54 Big 12 opponents under their season scoring average entering the game.
- OSU has won 87 of its past 88 games when holding its opponent to fewer than 20 points, dating back to Sept. 13, 2003. Including games when opponents have scored 20 points or fewer, OSU has won 95 of its past 96.
- OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50% third-down conversion rate in 56 of its past 68 games.
- OSU is 40-20 in its past 60 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
- OSU is 52-9 in its past 61 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
- OSU has won five of its past seven overtime games