The college football season is finally underway, and we are set with a full slate of games this weekend. With so many games to pick from, we want to make sure our readers are set up with the best bets for week one.
This article will help break down and analyze the matchup between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Oregon State Beavers.
Uncertainty For The Cowboys
Oklahoma State had a disappointing 2018 campaign, finishing the season at a pedestrian 7-6. While they did win their bowl matchup against Missouri, it felt like an underachieving season for the Cowboys.
Oklahoma State has experienced a reasonable amount of success in this decade with its high-powered passing offense. They have put loads of skill players into the NFL. This season may be the most uncertain of the decade for the Cowboys, and they will have lots of questions that need to be answered.
One question that still has not been accounted for is their starting quarterback. Taylor Cornelius led the Cowboys last year with nearly 4,000 passing yards and 32 touchdowns, but he has graduated. No other quarterback took more than 10 snaps in 2018 for the Cowboys.
Fast forward to Friday night, and head coach Mike Gundy has refused to reveal his game plan for the opener. There has not been a starter named for the matchup against Oregon State.
The quarterback battle has been between redshirt freshman Spencer Sanders and graduate transfer Dru Brown from Hawaii. As a starter for Hawaii, Brown finished with 37 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 22 games.
While Brown has the experience, Saunders has looked just as impressive this preseason. Gundy is holding all his cards until game day.
While the experience is limited at quarterback, running back Chubba Hubbard will look to lead the Cowboys in the backfield. He split carries in 2018 with graduated running back Justice Hill but managed to finish the season with 740 yards and seven touchdowns on 124 carries.
Even with all the questions in play, Oklahoma State will look to continue running a high-powered, fast-paced offense in 2019.
The Struggling Beavers
Oregon State has struggled this entire decade. They finished 2018 at a paltry 2-10, with nine of their 10 losses by double digits. Their final game of the season was a 55-15 smackdown from in-state rival Oregon. While the Beavers have yet to find a place among the Pac-12, they might have a chance this year to win a couple more games with their offense.
Senior quarterback Jake Luton will look to improve off of his 2018 campaign, where he finished with 1,660 yards passing and 10 touchdowns. His competitor for the position, Conor Blount, transferred to Eastern Kentucky. As the feature quarterback, Luton is poised for a jump in 2019.
While the Beavers have a lock at quarterback, their most impactful offensive weapon is running back Jermar Jefferson. As a freshman, Jefferson finished his 2018 campaign with 1,380 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns on 239 carries.
The run game is looking strong for Oregon State, so expect it to try and dominate the line of scrimmage on Friday night.
Oklahoma State Terrorizes Oregon State
The Cowboys are favored by 14 with an over/under set at 72 points. I like Oklahoma State in this matchup. Even with all of the question marks regarding the Cowboys’ starting quarterback, Mike Gundy will have their system ready, and all their weapons will be on display against the pitiful Oregon State defense.
Oklahoma State is the pick at -14, and I like the over on the point total. Expect a whole lot of offense and not much defense from both teams. Lock in these picks and tune into the game Friday night! Football is back!
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