Oklahoma State’s 41-24 victory over West Virginia in their Big 12 opener has set the tone for a strong start to the season, and now the Cowboys look to extend their home winning streak against UCF this Saturday. The game at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma, kicks off at noon Eastern on ESPN2, with Oklahoma State eager to maintain momentum before a challenging stretch of mostly road games.
After a rocky opener against Tulsa that included four turnovers, Oklahoma State bounced back quickly. They dismantled Oregon in a follow-up game and secured a comfortable win over Murray State. The 41-24 result against West Virginia confirmed the Cowboys’ offensive growth, particularly their running game, which struggled early but has since improved to nearly six yards per carry in recent weeks. That running attack will be central to their hopes of controlling UCF’s defense, which has been solid despite the Knights’ recent 27-17 loss at Houston.
UCF enters the weekend on the back of a two-game winning streak that was snapped by Houston. The Knights’ defense has been a strength, especially in second halves, but their offense relies heavily on the ground game. UCF is undefeated at 3-0 when rushing for 100 yards or more, so their ability to string together runs will be critical against Oklahoma State. The Knights’ challenge lies in containing the Cowboys’ offense, which has balanced passing and running threats.
The two teams have only met twice before, with UCF winning both encounters. Last year’s game ended 17-14 in favor of the Knights, while the 2023 matchup was a decisive 45-3 victory for UCF. This matchup carries significance for both sides. For UCF, a win could spark a run during a stretch of four home games in five weeks, with only a road trip to Kansas interrupting. Oklahoma State, meanwhile, faces three of their next four games away from home, starting at Houston, making a home win over UCF vital.
One area of concern for UCF is controlling the clock. Against Houston, they jumped to a 17-0 lead but gave up 27 unanswered points in the second half. Although the defense has generally held firm late in games, the Cowboys’ balanced offensive attack could wear them down. Oklahoma State’s ability to sustain drives and convert on third downs will likely shape the outcome.
Betting lines favor Oklahoma State with a 10.5-point spread and an over/under of 53.5, according to a consensus of BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Confidence in the Cowboys covering the spread ranks at 3 out of 5, with a similar rating given for the game’s must-see appeal.
The game on October 10 offers a chance to see if Oklahoma State can continue their resurgence and build on a strong Big 12 start, while UCF aims to respond after their loss and leverage a favorable schedule ahead. Both teams are aware of the stakes as they prepare for a noon kickoff at Boone Pickens Stadium.
According to Yahoo Sports.