Baylor vs. OSU Betting Odds Have Cowboys 14 Point Favorite
The Baylor vs. OSU betting odds opened at Oklahoma State -16. That line has since dropped to -14.
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Oklahoma State -14 & 79.5
Opening Line & Total: OSU -16 & 79.5
Superstar quarterbacks will be on display as Baylor’s Robert Griffin III takes on Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden.
Griffin III is third in the nation with 374 total YPG while Weeden is eighth with 336 YPG. Two of the nation’s elite receivers will also be showcasing their stuff. Baylor WR Kendall Wright ranks fifth in the nation with 126 receiving YPG, while OSU star wideout Justin Blackmon is averaging 8.7 catches per game (sixth in FBS). Blackmon missed the second half of last game with concussion-like symptoms, but he is expected to start on Saturday. The Cowboys have won 14 of the past 15 meetings, including outscoring the Bears 234-79 during a five-game series win streak. They will rack up plenty of points against Baylor’s 97th-ranked defense (425 YPG) on Saturday afternoon.
The Bears have the nation’s No. 2 offense, averaging 550 yards per game. Griffin III leads the country in passing efficiency (22 TD, 2 INT) and is third in total offense with 374 yards per game. Although his team lost big in its last game to Texas A&M two weeks ago (55-28), Griffin III threw for 430 yards and three touchdowns in the defeat. The Baylor QB has not been very good in two career starts versus Oklahoma State though, completing 45-of-75 passes for 429 yards, 0 TD and 1 INT. Wright is actually slumping a bit after starting the season off with four 100-yard receiving efforts, which included 201 yards at Kansas State. He has failed to reach 70 yards in each of the past two games, although he has scored in every contest this season (9 total TD). The Bears aren’t thought of as a great running team, but they have had some huge games, rushing for 391 versus Iowa State, 306 versus Rice and 266 versus Stephen F. Austin. It has been a different story on the road though, as Baylor rushed for 83 yards (2.8 YPC) at Kansas State and gained just 50 yards (1.6 YPC) at Texas A&M two weeks ago. Senior Terrance Ganaway leads the team with 570 yards and seven scores, but was held to 34 yards on 16 carries against the Aggies.
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The Bears rushing defense has been dreadful all year (186 YPG, 90th in nation), allowing 206 YPG to their five FBS opponents. The passing defense has been just as terrible (240 YPG, 84th in nation), which increases to 263 YPG if you don’t include FCS opponent Stephen F. Austin.
Weeden continues to impress (11 TD, 1 INT in past five games) and he certainly impressed Baylor when he faced them last year, connecting on 34-of-42 passes (81%) for 435 yards, 3 TD and 0 INT. Blackmon (30 TD in his past 19 games) caught 13 of those passes for 173 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for a 69-yard score in that 55-28 demolition of the Bears. The Cowboys also know how to run the football with five games of 170+ rushing yards this season. Joseph Randle rushed for 138 yards on just 14 carries last week, finding the end zone three times. Jeremy Smith also had a nice game with 71 yards on 13 attempts (5.5 YPC). The duo now has 1,115 yards (6.0 YPC) and 19 TD this season.
Oklahoma State leads the nation in turnover margin (+2.1 per game), which has helped compensate for a defense allowing 432 YPG (103rd in nation). The Cowboys do a nice job rushing the QB though, with 2.9 sacks per game (16th in nation) and 7.7 Tackles For Loss per game (15th in FBS).
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
