Oklahoma State Kansas State Betting – Cowboys Try To Stay In Big 12 South Race Against Wildcats
The Oklahoma State Cowboys face a tricky road test this weekend as they venture to Manhattan, Kansas, to take on the Kansas State Wildcats.
NCAA football betting: Oklahoma State Cowboys @ Kansas State Wildcats
Online Betting Odds: Oklahoma State -6
Why To Bet On Oklahoma State
The Cowboys’ passing game should go crazy in this game. Quarterback Brandon Weeden has thrown for at least 348 yards in four of his seven games this season. This past Saturday, Weeden threw for “only” 283 yards in a loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers that was not the fault of anyone on the OSU offense. Coach Mike Gundy’s Cowboys posted 41 points on a Nebraska defense that was supposed to be one of the better units in the Big 12 this season. Gundy and offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen have made Oklahoma State one of the best and most lethal offenses in the United States. The Cowboys have scored at least 34 points in all seven games they’ve played this season. That’s a phenomenal rate of consistency, even though a number of those games came against teams from smaller conferences. When one realizes that Kansas State gave up 404 passing yards last weekend to the Baylor Bears quarterback Robert Griffin III, it’s pretty clear that Oklahoma State should be able to throw the ball at will in this game. As long as Weeden doesn’t mess up and surrender a pair of interceptions, the Cowboys are well-positioned to win this game and stay in the thick of the Big 12 South race.
Why To Bet On Kansas State
The Wildcats have quickly developed a pattern in Big 12 Conference competition this season. Kansas State either throws a haymaker or gets popped by it. In the Wildcats’ last three games, they’ve gone wild or been stomped on. KSU lost 48-13 to Nebraska, then pounded the Kansas Jayhawks by a 59-7 score, and then fell behind Baylor 47-28 in a 47-42 loss. Which KSU team will show up this weekend? Nobody knows. Nevertheless, the fact that coach Bill Snyder’s team is one win away from being bowl-eligible will be a huge motivating factor for the Cats this week. Moreover, KSU will be playing at home in one of those late-morning Central time zone kickoffs (11:05 a.m. in Manhattan, Kansas) that can ambush a visiting team having to travel outside its home state. The bad news for KSU is that, as mentioned above, Oklahoma State will almost certainly score a fair amount of points. The good news for KSU is that Oklahoma State’s defense is awful. The Cowboys are 89th in the nation in scoring defense, giving up an average of 30.6 points per game. If Kansas State can play slightly above that average and hang 38 points on Oklahoma State, just a few turnovers could swing this game in the Wildcats’ direction. Kansas State has a better chance than you might initially think.
How The Game Will Play Out
Kansas State’s home-field edge, plus the passion the Wildcats are likely to display, will give KSU a good start against an Oklahoma State team that might be a little drowsy for the morning start. Oklahoma State is also going to have to watch out for the hangover effect following the immensely disappointing loss to Nebraska, in a game the Cowboys circled on their calendars before the season began. This is a trap game, and Kansas State is certainly aware of that reality. The Wildcats will make the game close and have an excellent chance of covering the number. KSU’s defense, though, is probably not good enough to win the game outright. Expect OSU to win the game, but do take K-State plus the points if you want to make a play on this contest.
Oklahoma State Kansas State Betting Pick: Kansas State
