The Utah Utes are set to travel to Stillwater to take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in a pivotal Big 12 opener, pitting two top candidates to win the conference against each other. A fantastic matchup, it will be Utah’s first true conference game as they enter Big 12 play.
Get ready for the matchup with all the latest college football betting odds, DFS picks, and a Utah vs. Oklahoma State prediction.
Utah vs. Oklahoma State Betting and DFS Preview
All Utah vs. Oklahoma State odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Sept. 18, 2024.
- Spread
Utah -2.5 - Moneyline
Utah -130, Oklahoma State +110 - Over/Under
54 points - Game time
4 p.m. ET - Location
Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK - Predicted Weather at Kick
89 degrees, 7 MPH winds, sunshine, and a few clouds - How to Watch
FOX
How important is quarterback Cam Rising to Utah? Well, Oklahoma State opened the week as a three-point favorite over their rival for the Big 12 title. Now, with Rising looking set to return after missing the Utes’ Week 3 win over Utah State, there has been a 5.5-point swing toward the former Pac-12 protagonist.
However, it’s worth considering that the Utes are 1-2 against the spread so far this year, while the Cowboys have flipped the script and gone 2-1. This one is as much of a pick ‘em as you may be able to find, but with both teams averaging well over 30 points per game, the over might be a sneaky pick — despite the line moving to 54 points with Rising’s return.
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
- QB Cameron Rising, Utah
- QB Alan Bowman, Oklahoma State
- RB Micah Bernard, Utah
- TE Brant Kuithe, Utah
- RB Dorian Singer, Utah
- RB Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
- WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Oklahoma State
- WR Brennan Presley, Oklahoma State
Ollie Gordon II has been eager for a breakout performance, and while Utah’s defense is tough against the run, this game presents a great opportunity for him to shine and deliver a Heisman-worthy display. De’Zhaun Stribling and Brennan Presley are among the top receivers for the Cowboys, with Presley being a solid scoring threat after securing three touchdowns.
For Utah, the return of Rising is significant, especially for Brant Kuithe, who will benefit greatly from his presence. Dorian Singer had a standout week against the Aggies, doubling his receptions from the previous games. Meanwhile, Micah Bernard found the end zone last week and has seen his catches increase as he establishes himself as the primary back in the offense.
Prediction for Utah vs. Oklahoma State
The anticipation for this matchup began months ago. With Utah’s Big 12 arrival, it is surprisingly similar from a stylistic perspective but different enough to bring more intrigue to this battle with the Pokes.
Both Mike Gundy and Kyle Whittingham are mainstays at their respective programs, and both men are some of the longest-tenured head coaches at one school in Division I. Gundy is an offensive savant, while Whittingham has focused on tough, hard-nosed defensive football.
Offensively, both teams rely on a superstar to get the job done, but with plenty of talent around that player to carry the load.
Gordon was Oklahoma State’s potential Heisman candidate coming into the season, but he’s struggled out of the gates, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry with four touchdowns. As teams have focused on stopping the explosive Gordon, the passing game has really opened up.
Alan Bowman threw for five touchdowns and 396 yards in the last outing against Tulsa, and he’s distributed the football well to a receiving group of Stribling, Presley, and Rashod Owens. All three have more than 10 catches on the season and have six receiving touchdowns between them.
Bowman and Co. will have their hands full as Utah brings a ferocious pass rush to the game, with 10 sacks in just three games — which has the Utes ranking as high as 10th nationally. Senior defensive end Van Fillinger has been the spark and leads the team with 3.5 sacks total, in addition to having five tackles for loss.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season with CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
For Utah, it will be the return of Rising to the helm of the offense that will be the focus. The seventh-year senior quarterback missed last week’s contest against in-state rival Utah State because of an apparent finger injury. Before his exit from the Baylor game, Rising had been terrific for the Utes, with seven touchdown passes on just 29 attempts. Rising was also averaging 7.6 yards per rush for 46 yards in just a game and a half.
Utah’s offense has also relied on Bernard to carry the ball, with the senior running back toting the rock for 274 yards, averaging 6.6 yards per rush, and scoring a touchdown on the ground.
Bernard and his backfield mates Mike Mitchell and Dijon Stanley will have to deal with safety Trey Rucker and linebacker Nick Martin. The two leading tacklers for the Cowboys have buoyed a defense that is allowing just 20.3 points per game.
Utah may have the edge defensively in this one, but the Utes secondary looked out of sorts at times, and with injuries to Karene Reid and Kenan Johnson, it may be tough to keep up with the Cowboys passing attack.
For the Cowboys defensively, it will be all about pressuring Rising early and often to try and keep him from developing any kind of rhythm.
Oklahoma State is +3 in the turnover margin as well, a stat to watch in this game.
Prediction: Utah 34, Oklahoma State 31
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