Oklahoma State vs. Oregon Odds, Picks & Betting Tip

NCAAF

In preparation for their game on Saturday, September 6, the Oklahoma State Cowboys and Oregon Ducks warmed up with a patsy in Week 1 handily winning their games. The Ducks were more efficient throttling FCS Montana State 59-13 while the Cowboys got by UT-Martin but lost starting quarterback Hauss Hejny to injury. Taking on an eager OU squad on the road with a backup behind center isn’t an ideal situation. Kickoff from Autzen Stadium in Eugene, OR is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET with television coverage on CBS.

Oklahoma State at Oregon Preview

With no exhibition games to get geared up for the season I thought these programs did the right thing scheduling an FCS opponent in Week 1. And they both got the desired outcome. However, OSU didn’t escape without a major problem arising at the QB position. Starter Hauss Hejny broke a bone in his foot and will be sidelined for multiple weeks.

If there is a silver lining it’s that the competition at the position came down to the final weeks of camp. Hejny and Zane Flores battled for the job and now it’s Flores’ time. He entered the game in the first quarter and completed 13 of 20 passes for 136 yards in the 27-7 win over the Skyhawks. OSU failed to cover the 26.5-point college football point spread and has not earned a payout in its last six games.

Dating back to last season the Cowboys are 0-6 ATS in their last six games and 1-9 ATS in their last 10.
OSU ended a nine-game losing streak with its season-opening victory over UT-Martin.
The Cowboys are 0-4 SU and 1-3 ATS in their last four road games against ranked opponents.

Oregon sputtered out of the gate last season against an FCS foe barely getting past Idaho, 24-14, as a 49-point betting odds favorite. The Ducks had no problems this time around spanking a Montana State squad that played for the FCS national championship a season ago. Dante Moore started at QB throwing nearly as many TD passes (3) as incompletions (5) and a number of players saw game action showing off the team’s depth.

The Ducks are explosive on offense, but a reworked defense could get them another Big Ten title. The group allowed 37 points in a win over Penn State in the conference championship last year and 41 points in a CFP loss to Ohio State. Sure it was an FCS foe, but the Ducks allowed just 244 total yards and held the Bobcats to 3 of 12 on third downs.

The Ducks have won 18 straight regular season games going 10-8 ATS.
Oregon has won 16 games in a row at home going 6-3 ATS when favored by at least 20 points.
The OVER has cashed in the last four games with OU averaging 43.5 points in that span.

Oklahoma State at Oregon Predictions

As the spread suggests I’m not sure OSU has the guns to compete. The offense sputtered with Flores leading the attack scoring 13 points over the last three quarters. And Oregon has shown a reluctance to leave starters in the game when winning easily. We saw that last week with 12 players having at least one rush attempt and 10 catching at least one pass. There is a strong likelihood this game goes UNDER the total.

Oklahoma State at Oregon Betting Tips

Oregon opened as a 28-point favorite with a moneyline price of -4000.
Oregon won four games last season by 28 or more points, including three over Power 4 programs.
OSU has not been a 4-touchdown+ underdog since the 2014 season when it covered the 33-point spread in a 49-28 loss to Baylor.
The Cowboys are +1453 on the moneyline.
The total opened at 57.5 with the Ducks cashing the OVER in their last four games.

Oklahoma State at Oregon Head to Head and Key Stats

The only previous meeting between the programs took place in the 2008 Holiday Bowl with Oregon winning 42-31. The Cowboys are not expected to win so expect Mike Gundy and his troops to pull out all the stops. Helmet to helmet the Pokes don’t match up, but if they have some success moving the ball and the defense can rattle Moore, who knows?