Oklahoma State vs. Texas Betting Line at Cowboys -3
The Oklahoma State vs. Texas betting line had the Cowboys at -3. Be sure to claim your Free $100 bet here.
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Oklahoma State -3 & 63.5
Opening Line & Total: Cowboys -3 & 64
Games in November play a big role in conference standings, such as the matchup between No. 12 Oklahoma State and No. 23 Texas in Austin on Saturday
Last season, the Cowboys lost a thrilling 41-36 game to the Longhorns in Stillwater. However, the teams are much different this season, as they both have different starting quarterbacks, and both have struggled throughout the season. After losing to West Virginia early in the year, Oklahoma State had many people wondering if it was truly a Big 12 contender or not. However, after five straight conference victories, the Cowboys are once again in contention for the conference title with just one loss and still having Big 12 unbeatens Baylor and Texas on the schedule. The Cowboys took care of business against Kansas last week with a 42-6 pummeling. The game was never in reach as Justin Gilbert took back the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Oklahoma State has really turned it up on offense, averaging 50.7 points per game in the past three contests. Last week, the Longhorns struggled to stop West Virginia in a 47-40 overtime win, but they had played great defense in the previous three weeks, allowing just 13.3 PPG. While they gave up a lot of points, the defense did a great job of stopping a solid West Virginia run game, allowing only 109 yards on 47 carries (2.3 YPC). Texas was dead in the water entering conference play, with many people wondering if head coach Mack Brown would make it to the end of the season. However, the Longhorns have rebounded to win six in a row (3-2-1 ATS), and now control their own destiny in the Big 12. However, in the past three seasons Oklahoma State is 21-10 ATS (68%) when favored, and 13-4 ATS (77%) after 2+ straight SU wins. Texas, whose top RB Johnathan Gray suffered a season-ending torn Achilles last week, is 52-40 ATS (57%) after an ATS loss under Mack Brown.
The Cowboys' offense has been terrific all season long (40.7 PPG, 14th in FBS), and finally has developed a solid ground game with 170 rushing YPG. Junior RB Desmond Roland has had a mammoth workload in the past three games, rushing 73 times for 359 yards (4.9 YPC) and eight touchdowns, including a 219-yard effort against Iowa State. He is a big strong runner, with the ability to make people miss in the open field. QB Clint Chelf has also been great in his past two games, totaling 581 yards and 7 TD (5 passing, 2 rushing). He has the ability to make plays with his feet, while allowing his receivers to get open when he scrambles. One of those pass catchers, WR Josh Stewart (40 rec., 510 yards, 2 TD), is one of the very best in all of the conference. He is electric when he has the ball in his hand, using his quickness to get by tacklers. But Stewart, who caught five passes for 81 yards and a touchdown versus Texas last year, suffered a leg injury in last week's win and is listed as questionable for this matchup. Not only is Justin Gilbert terrific at special teams, he is also one of the elite cornerbacks in all of the country. Look for him to be matched up with both of the Longhorns top wideouts, Mike Davis and Jaxon Shipley.
While it was not easy in Morgantown, Texas was able to get the overtime victory in large part to the performance of QB Case McCoy, who threw for 283 yards, 3 TD and 1 INT. On the season, McCoy has done a great job of managing the offense, and has thrown for 1,471 yards (6.7 YPA), 8 TD and 6 INT. Texas has a terrific rushing attack with 197.3 yards per game, but suffered a major setback last week when Johnathan Gray hurt his foot. Luckily, junior RB Malcolm Brown, a former No. 1 recruit, has been playing some great football as of late. In his past four games, Brown has rushed for 379 yards and four touchdowns, and will be counted upon more now that Gray is out. Brown is the type of running back that gets stronger as the game goes on, becoming very difficult to tackle in the fourth quarter. The Longhorns will also lean more on junior RB Joe Bergeron (191 rush yards, 5.5 YPC, 3 TD), as his two fourth-quarter touchdowns were the difference in last year's win over OSU. Junior LB Steve Edmond (59 tackles, 2 INT, 2 sacks) continued his All-Big 12 campaign with 12 tackles and an interception against the Mountaineers. He is relentless in his pursuit of the ball, and he will be counted upon to produce more big numbers against such a great offense like the Cowboys.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
