The Oklahoma State Cowboys hit the road for the first time in the 2025 college football season when they take on the Oregon Ducks on Saturday afternoon in Eugene, Oregon. Oklahoma State is coming off a 27-7 win over UT Martin in Week 1, while Oregon rolled Montana State 59-13. Last season the Cowboys went 3-9, while Oregon finished 13-0 in the regular season and then lost to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Thursday on CBS/Paramount+ from Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks are favored by 28.5 and the over/under is set at 58.5 points. Here are two key players to watch in this game, followed by the top storylines for each team, and a prediction from Heartland College Sports.
Two Key Players to Watch
Zane Flores, Oklahoma State Quarterback
Flores lost the off-season quarterback battle to Hauss Hejny, but then got thrust into action in Week 1 after Hejny broke his foot. Flores went 13-20 for 136 yards in relief, leading the Cowboys to a comfortable victory. The former three-star prospect has been in the program for the last couple of season and is now getting his chance to set up to the plate in a very difficult road environment.
Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon Outside Linebacker
The 2024 All-Big Ten star is going to be a huge test for this Oklahoma State offensive front. Uiagalelei led the Ducks with a career-high 10.5 sacks, which also led the Big Ten Conference, and his 12.5 tackles for loss were tops on the team as well.
Top Storylines
Can Oklahoma State Hang in Early?
If Oklahoma State is going to have any chance in this game, they have to get off to a hot start, quiet the crowd, and shock the Ducks. Can Flores get a quick strike to some of his downfield targets like Terrill Davis? Does OU transfer Kalib Hicks break one off from the backfield? Oklahoma State needs something to build some confidence early in this game.
Oregon Needs to Break Down Flores Quickly
Oregon has one of the best pass rushes in the country and they’re going up against a redshirt freshman making his first career start on their home turf behind a brand new offensive line. While the OSU line looked improved in Week 1 compared to its abysmal 2024 play, it was UT Martin after all. But Oregon can make this a long afternoon, if it gets off to the right start.
Prediction: Oregon 38, Oklahoma State 17
I don’t think it will be a pretty afternoon for the Cowboys. There’s just too much going against them after already losing Hejny, working in a first-time starter with a new offensive line and new weapons across the board against an elite defense. And while OSU has reasons to believe it’s improved across the board, and the Pokes defense may hold up for 2-3 quarters, the defense will get worn down due to Time of Possession issues that will be dominated by the Ducks. The Pokes may keep it respectable into the second half, but I expect the Ducks to run away with this one late.
