It doesn’t get any easier for Oklahoma State. One week after opening the Eric Morris era with an ugly 24-10 loss to Tulsa, the Cowboys return home to welcome No. 2 Oregon to Boone Pickens Stadium in one of the biggest Big 12 non-conference games of Week 2. Oklahoma State turned the ball over four times, struggled to generate explosive plays and scored just 10 points against the Golden Hurricane, making Saturday’s matchup an enormous early test for Morris and his rebuilt roster.
Meanwhile, Oregon arrives in Stillwater at 1-0 after rallying past Boise State 34-27 in its season opener. Quarterback Dante Moore threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns in the victory, and he’ll now face an Oklahoma State team that knows all too well what the Ducks are capable of. Oregon embarrassed the Cowboys 69-3 in Eugene last season, the largest margin of defeat for Oklahoma State since 1907. Now the Cowboys get another shot at the Ducks, this time at home, as a massive underdog looking to pull off one of the biggest upsets of the young college football season.
Oklahoma State vs. Oregon Odds
- Spread: Oregon -22.5
- Over/Under: 57.5
- Moneyline: Oregon -2100/Oklahoma State +1100
Odds as of Tuesday afternoon. Odds are subject to change.
The Biggest Question: Can Oklahoma State Put Together an Offense?
The offense was supposed to be the easy part for the Cowboys. But after scoring 10 points against Tulsa, and then announcing Monday that starting left tackle Jacob Sexton is out for the season with an injury, there are a ton of question marks for the Pokes. Drew Mestemaker got big money to come to Stillwater, and he was joined by some of his top weapons. This is their first game in front of the home crowd faithful, and they need to show that Week 1 was an aberration. But it won’t be easy against a loaded defensive line led by the likes of Bear Alexander and A’Mauri Washington. Add in the combo of EDGE Matayo Uiagalalei and linebacker Teitum Tuioti (one of three seniors at the position), who both had solid games against Boise State, and it could be a long afternoon for Oklahoma State, unless the offense does a complete about face.
Kansas vs. Missouri Prediction and Pick
Prediction: Oregon 42, Oklahoma State 17
The Boise State outcome is the worst-case scenario for Oklahoma State, because the Pokes are not going to catch the Ducks off guard after they had to mount a comeback against the Broncos in Week 1. Defensively the Cowboys gave up multiple plays over 20 yards through the air… to Tulsa. What is Dante Moore going to do to this secondary on Saturday? Oregon may have the fastest wide receiver trio in the country in Dakorien Moore, Jeremiah McClellan and Evan Stewart. And good luck stopping budding tight end star Jamari Johnson, who had a touchdown grab in Week 1.
