Written by :
Published on :
Oregon State Cowboys vs. Texas Longhorns betting line was at OSU -7.5 coming into Saturday at Sportsbook.com
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Oklahoma State -7 (-120) & 64.5
Opening Line & Total: OSU -7.5 & 64
Bet this game at Sportsbook.com. Receive up to $200 in FREE CASH here.
No. 22 Texas tries to hand No. 6 Oklahoma State its first loss of the season when the Cowboys visit Austin on Saturday.
OSU hopes to repeat last year’s performance in Austin, when it snapped a 12-game losing skid to Texas, winning 33-16 behind 409 passing yards from Brandon Weeden. The senior QB had thrown 6 INT in his first three games this year, but he has been nearly flawless in two Big 12 games, completing 71-of-88 passes (81%) for 726 yards, 7 TD and 0 INT. The Longhorns QB duo of David Ash and Case McCoy combined to go 20-of-36 for 223 yards, 1 TD and four turnovers in the 55-17 loss to Oklahoma.
The Cowboys amassed 532 yards in the win over Texas last year, and had a 30-point lead in the third quarter. Star WR Justin Blackmon was Weeden’s usual favorite target, hauling in nine catches for 145 yards and a touchdown. Weeden, who turns 28 years old this week, ranks third in the nation in total offense (363 YPG), while Blackmon is fifth among FBS receivers in catches (9.2 per game). In last week’s 70-28 annihilation of Kansas, Weeden was 24-of-28 with five touchdowns in the first half. Although the passing game has been clicking (431 YPG, second in nation), the running game has certainly not, as OSU has gained 152 yards on 62 carries (2.5 YPC) in two Big 12 games. RB Joseph Randle started the year with three 100-yard games, but has only 106 yards on 3.8 YPC against the pair of Big 12 opponents. Sophomore RB Jeremy Smith has scored a rushing touchdown in nine straight games. The defense has been extremely opportunistic, creating 16 turnovers in the past three weeks. That is a big reason why the Cowboys have a four-game ATS winning streak.
Texas is 22-3 SU all-time against Oklahoma State. For that record to improve, the offense needs to do a much better job of moving the football. The Horns rushed 45 times for 36 yards against Oklahoma and turned the ball over five times, three of which were returned for Sooners touchdowns. Freshman RB Malcolm Brown (76 rushing YPG) should be able to find some space against a Cowboys rushing defense ranked 75th in the nation. On defense, the Longhorns ust find some semblance of a pass rush. They rank 91st among FBS teams in sacks (1.4 per game) and 87th in Tackles for Loss (5.0 per game).
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
