The undefeated BYU Cougars are a double-digit favorite against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Just as we all predicted.
No. 13 BYU is heading into Friday night undefeated, while Oklahoma State, one of the favorites to win the Big 12, has now lost three straight games. Friday (kickoff is at 8:15 p.m.) is forecasted to be cold and rainy, eerily similar to the Cougars' devastating loss in Stillwater last year.
The Cowboys are struggling right now; there's no doubt about it. Once ranked No. 14 in the country, Oklahoma State has accumulated a 3-3 record, destabilized the starting quarterback position and managed to make a Doak Walker Award Winner look like an average Joe on the football field.
Ollie Gordon III, named the country's best running back last year, has only managed 384 yards through six games and is averaging just 3.8 yards per carry.
Meanwhile, Alan Bowman, Oklahoma State's seventh-year senior quarterback, has been benched in the wake of the three-game losing skid. Sophomore Garret Rangel will get the nod and he has seen action earlier this season.
For BYU, it's business as usual. The Cougars have been lights-out at home this season and are coming off of an impressive win against Arizona.
LJ Martin and Hinckley Ropati were both back from injury last week, and it was a strong showing from both running backs. The offensive line continues to nurse various injuries but proved they could withstand them on Saturday when they didn't allow a single sack.
BYU's defense continues to shine as the focal point of this team. To be honest, this isn't one of the harder tests on the schedule for this defense. It sounds like the Cougars will be lining up against an inexperienced youngster at quarterback, which should provide loads of opportunities to switch up schemes and throw in exotic blitzes.
The Cowboys are coming off of a bye week, whereas the Cougars lost a day of rest due to their short week. Neither team has played in any type of cold weather this season, so it will be interesting to see how players respond.
It's Friday night in Provo. Let's get to the predictions.
Karter Baughan (4-2) — Oklahoma State 24, BYU 21
BYU opens as a 9.5-point favorite against Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State will be starting QB Garret Rangel, who we’ve seen very little of. The weather for this game will be classic Provo, with a temperature of 35 degrees and freezing rain/snow. I expect this to be a lower-scoring game, and Oklahoma State will find success on the ground for the first time this season in these unusual conditions. I’ve picked against the Cougars two weeks in a row — and I’ll be doing it for a third.
Kevin Humphreys (4-2) — BYU 31, Oklahoma State 28
The Cougars entered this week 6-0, bowl-eligible, and tied for first in the Big 12 conference. They have already overachieved this season compared to preseason expectations. But this BYU team is now a legitimate threat in the conference, and because of the new College Football Playoff structure, it is a legitimate threat to make the playoff. There have been multiple times this season that BYU could have let up, stumbled and fallen to an opponent because it was not prepared. So far, BYU has passed every test with flying colors. If BYU loses this season, it will not be because of a lack of focus. In one of the first games the Cougars are expected to win this season, they will not take their foot off the gas pedal. Oklahoma State comes into Provo after losing their last three games amid a quarterback controversy. Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy, one of the most successful coaches in the sport, was headbutted by his cattle over the bye week and may not be able to see. This is the kitchen sink game for Oklahoma State to try and save their season. This game will be full of fireworks on and off the field. I expect this game to be a physical fight and for BYU kicker Will Ferrin to decide this game on a walkoff game-winning field goal as time expires. For the first time all season, BYU will not cover the spread, but it will end Friday night 7-0.
Me (2-4) — Oklahoma State 25, BYU 20
Am I picking against BYU every week now? Is it just a bit? Am I playing the reverse jinx? You tell me. An inexperienced signal-caller and unfavorable weather will mean that the Cowboys will be relying on Ollie Gordon III, which is bad news for BYU. The Cougars have been sneaky susceptible to the run game but have been able to capitalize off of turnovers all season. It's also a revenge game for Jake Retzlaff and the Cougars. Will Retzlaff attempt to do too much in an attempt to avenge last year's loss? Oklahoma State pulls out a sloppy game and BYU gets hit with reality.