The Oklahoma State Cowboys are ready to roll into the Eric Morris era on Saturday with a road trip to in-state rival Tulsa at H.A. Chapman Stadium to rectify last year’s devastating upset by the Golden Hurricane.
If you don’t remember, it was Tulsa that set Mike Gundy’s job ablaze winning the Stillwater contest 19-12 for the first time since 1998. It was a triumph for the little guy, but the contest is up for grabs again and it marks the start of a new regime for Morris and the Cowboy since the former North Texas head coach set up shop this offseason.
Here is our game preview, prediction and pick:
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State
This one’s obvious. Everyone wants to see Drew Mestemaker slinging the pill in a Cowboys uniform. The fans are hungry for it, and last year’s nationwide passing yards leader is now their new QB1. Moreover, Mestemaker and the large batch of UNT transfers played in the same conference, the American, as the 4-8 Golden Hurricane last year; Tulsa last played UNT in 2024. Tulsa returns eight starters to its defense this year, and should make for a solid first test for the new Cowboy offense.
Tai Newhouse, Tulsa
For the Hurricanes, Tai Newhouse, a native of Lawrence, Kansas, is the big man to watch up front on defense. He’ll be posted up against some big Cowpokes on Saturday, and if Tulsa’s going to have a real shot, they’ll need some leadership from their 320-pound nose guard to cut down the Caleb Hawkins run and force Mestemaker to go through the air.
PREDICTION
Oklahoma State 34, Tulsa 19
The Cowboys are a 13.5-point favorite in Saturday’s matchup with Tulsa, and that’s a safe over if you ask me. A whole heap of change has come over the OSU football program over last eight months and we should be treated to a much better team in this first contest. Expect Tulsa to compete and enjoy a home field advantage, but Morris should chalk up a win in Week 1.
