Oklahoma State vs. South Alabama: Preview, Prediction, and Game Odds
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the matchup between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the South Alabama Jaguars.
GAME INFO
Saturday, September 16; 6:00 p.m. CT; Boone Pickens Stadium; Stillwater, OK
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network (Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb, and Robert Allen)
Records: Oklahoma State (2-0); South Alabama (1-1)
Rankings: N/A
Series History: Oklahoma State leads series, 2-0
Last Meeting: Oklahoma State 55, South Alabama 13 (2018)
Line: Oklahoma State (-7.5)
Fun Fact:
KEY PLAYERS
OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS
QUARTERBACK ROOM
To this point, Oklahoma State has played three quarterbacks in each of their first two games, and each of them with relatively similar snap counts: Garret Rangel, Alan Bowman, and Gunnar Gundy. None of them have necessarily established themselves as “the guy” at this point and it appears that Mike Gundy is content with this battle continuing into Big 12 play. With this game representing the final contest of the Cowboys’ nonconference slate, OSU is running out of time to find a QB before the competition takes a massive step up.
S KENDAL DANIELS
Kendal Daniels, a do-it-all safety from Beggs, Oklahoma, has established himself as a key playmaker for the Pokes’ defense, even with just over a season’s worth of college experience. Through two games, Daniels leads the Cowboys in tackles (15) and has one fumble recovery. He will need to be a regular playmaker in this game for OSU, as I expect it to be a battle.
SOUTH ALABAMA JAGUARS
RB LA’DAMIAN WEBB
Despite having just 16 carries on the season, La’Damian Webb has 121 yards (7.6 ypc) and two scores on the ground for the Jaguars. USA’s offense has averaged just over 161 yards on the ground through two games and will need to establish the run in this game if it hopes to pull off the road upset in Stillwater. If he and Kentrel Bullock can get things going on the ground, it will open up passing lanes for Carter Bradley.
DB YAM BANKS
South Alabama defensive back Yam Banks was an Honorable Mention All-American in 2022 after recording six interceptions, 11 PBUs, five tackles for loss, one sack, and 50 tackles. He’s picked up right where he left off last season too, with 10 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble through two games. Banks will be a key factor in what South Alabama tries to do defensively.
KEY STORYLINES
OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS
Will we see offensive improvement from Oklahoma State, which needs a player to emerge at the quarterback position? No offense to Central Arkansas, Arizona State, or even South Alabama, but the Cowboys will play Kansas State and Kansas in two of their next three games and have a date with Iowa State in Week 4, which will give them all kinds of problems with a stellar defensive scheme. This weekend is a chance for the Pokes to figure things out on offense, and they need to take advantage of it.
SOUTH ALABAMA JAGUARS
The line in this game is sitting at just over a touchdown despite Oklahoma State being at home. That means oddsmakers see Oklahoma State somewhere around four points better than the Jaguars on a neutral field. So, can the Jaguars come into Stillwater and pull off the upset? There’s certainly a better chance than people seem to believe, as USA went 10-3 last season and returns 18 starters from that squad under Kane Wommack. However, being capable of doing it, and actually doing it, are two different matters.
PREDICTION: Oklahoma State 27, South Alabama 21
Oklahoma State has scored 27 points in each of their first two games, and I feel they’ll land right around that mark again this week. However, South Alabama might actually be the best football team they’ve played to this point, and I think the Jaguars will hang around in this one until the very end. I’m taking Oklahoma State to win the game, but I’m going to roll with USA to cover the spread.
