Utah Utes vs Oklahoma State Cowboys Prediction & Picks - NCAA

Prediction published on 9/19/24, 4:00 PM  by Travis Pulver | Modified on 9/19/24 at 11:15 PM in NCAA Picks

With Texas and Oklahoma now in the SEC, Oklahoma State was ready to become the new 'big dog' in the Big 12. But then Utah, a perennial contender in the Pac-12, entered the picture. When the two meet Saturday afternoon at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, the winner will have the inside track on a spot in the conference championship game.

Utah's defense is off to a solid start, and quarterback Cam Rising is expected to return. He could pick apart the Cowboys' 128thranked pass defense. But if Rising is not able to return, the offense may not be able to take advantage of the Oklahoma State secondary. As for the Cowboys, Alan Bowman has been playing like a veteran whose college career started in 2018. He's averaging over 300 yards per game and has eight touchdowns and just two interceptions to his name. The Cowboys came into this season expecting to make the most of the best running back in college football.

However, outside of his 126-yard day against South Dakota State, Ollie Gordon has been kept in check (49 yards vs. Arkansas, 41 vs. Tulsa). Oklahoma State is just a 2.5-point home favorite. Why? Probably because, without Cam Rising, the Utes may be unable to exploit the Cowboys' pass defense.