Oklahoma State vs. Cincinnati: Preview, Prediction, and Game Odds
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming matchup between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bearcats.
GAME INFO
Saturday, October 28, 2023; 7:00 p.m. CT; Boone Pickens; Stillwater, Oklahoma
TV: ESPN2
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network (Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb, Robert Allen); Radio: Bearcats Sports Network (Dan Hoard, Jim Kelly Jr., Mo Egger)
Records: Oklahoma State (5-2, 3-1); Cincinnati (2-5, 0-4)
Last Week: Oklahoma State 48, West Virginia 34; Baylor 32, Cincinnati 29
Rankings: N/A
Series History: Oklahoma State leads 2-1
Last Meeting: Oklahoma State 27, Cincinnati 17 (1983)
Line: Oklahoma State (-7.5)
Fun Fact: The last time these two teams met in 1983, NFL Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson was leading the Cowboys in his head coaching job from 1979-1983.
KEY PLAYERS
OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS
QB ALAN BOWMAN
It is no secret that the engine of the Oklahoma State offense is sophomore running back Ollie Gordon, but as teams start to key their gameplans around to stopping Gordon, senior quarterback Alan Bowman will have to step up and make some plays. Bowman has been better than advertised based on the three-quarterback rotation from earlier in the season as he continues to lead the Cowboys down the field with success.
S CAMERON EPPS
Freshman safety Cameron Epps has found a way to be near the ball at all times this season and has shown that in multiple performances this season. Epps enters Saturday’s matchup with 27 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and a score on a pick-six against Kansas State in Week 4. Epps now has the opportunity to take on a struggling offense in search of their first conference win of the season.
CINCINNATI BEARCATS
RB COREY KINER
What is the best way to help out senior quarterback Emory Jones? Establishing the run game. Kiner is averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per carry this season with 102 carries for 502 yards and two scores. Corey Kiner has had some big games for the Bearcats this season including the previous week where Kiner rushed 15 times for 129 yards. Cincinnati should look to get the rushing attack going early if they want to pull off the upset.
S BYRON THREATS
Cincinnati safety Bryon Threats is a dangerous dude to play against. Besides having one of the best last names in all of college football, Threats has been a versatile player defending the run and the pass this season. The Ohio native has totaled some impressive stats in 2023 with 34 total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and two interceptions which leads all Bearcats this year. Threats will be one of the many Cincinnati defenders tasked with attempting to slow down Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon.
KEY STORYLINES
OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS
Can anyone stop Ollie Gordon? Is this the second coming of Barry Sanders? Gordon is one of the best athletes in the country and this game is a reality check to see if he can keep his insane numbers rolling. In the past two weeks, Gordon has hit 100+ rushing yards in each of his last four games and is currently averaging seven YPC this season. The Texas native has carried the football 116 times for 816 yards with eight scores on the day and everyone will be watching to see what he does next.
CINCINNATI BEARCATS
When will the Bearcats get their first conference win? Cincinnati fans have been suffering lately and it just has not gotten better. While Oklahoma State is currently looking like one of the better teams in the Big 12, Cincinnati has a shot to earn their first conference win on Saturday but will have to overcome the tough circumstances of playing in Stillwater at night. Cincinnati played their best conference game of the year last week against Baylor and many fans are praying that the confidence will run over into next week.
PREDICTION: OKLAHOMA STATE 35, CINCINNATI 23
Unfortunately for UC fans, this is not the first win for Cincinnati. Oklahoma State has more momentum than just about anyone in the Big 12 right now and I do not expect Mike Gundy to surrender that to anyone. Ollie Gordon puts up another monster day as the Cowboys roll their way onto their sixth win of the season.
