Oklahoma State at Kansas State College Football Betting Preview

There will be a lot at stake in the Big 12 title race this weekend when the No. 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys visit the Kansas State Wildcats. The Cowboys are favored by 12.5 points on the road with the over/under set at 46 points.
The Cowboys saw their Big 12 title hopes take a huge hit last week when they lost to Texas in overtime. It was OSU’s first loss of the season and helped open up the Big 12 title race. Six teams have either one or two losses in conference play.
Oklahoma State still has an outside chance of reaching the College Football Playoff after that loss, but the Cowboys have no margin for error moving forward.
Likewise, Kansas State suffered its first loss of Big 12 play last week, losing 37-10 at West Virginia. The Wildcats remain very much alive for a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game thanks to a win over Oklahoma early in the season. However, K-State will play three of its last four games against ranked teams.
Going Downhill
Kansas State’s season changed a few weeks ago when quarterback Skylar Thompson suffered a season-ending injury. The Wildcats were fine with freshman Will Howard starting against in-state rival Kansas. But Howard’s inexperience was evident last week against West Virginia. He completed just 19 of his 37 passes and threw three interceptions. With a subpar running game, Howard will have to grow up in a hurry to get Kansas State’s season back on track.
Things won’t get much easier for Howard this week against a surprisingly good OSU defense. Despite last week’s loss, the Cowboys held Texas to less than 300 total yards. It was four turnovers by the offense and a special teams touchdown by the Longhorns that led to Oklahoma State’s downfall. With nearly every starter back from last year’s team, the OSU defense has taken a considerable step forward in 2020 and looks like one of the better defenses in the Big 12.
Double Trouble
On the other side of the ball, the Cowboys have two of the best playmakers in the Big 12 in running back Chuba Hubbard and wide receiver Tylan Wallace. Quarterback Spencer Sanders has gotten into some trouble with turnovers during the last two games since he returned from an injury. However, he’s also a dual-threat quarterback who threw for 400 yards against Texas last week. With players like Hubbard and Wallace around Sanders, the OSU offense has major upside despite some modest point totals earlier in the season.
Needless to say, the Kansas State defense has a huge test this week, especially since the Wildcats can’t rely on their offense to carry them. Kansas State had allowed 21 points or less in three straight games before conceding 37 points last week against West Virginia, albeit with the WVU defense scoring a touchdown. One thing the Wildcats have done most of the year is preventing big plays, and that trend will have to continue against Oklahoma State.
Ride On, Cowboys
There is far too much concern about the Kansas State offense to feel confident about the Wildcats in this game, even at home. Even against a solid K-State defense, the Cowboys have too much offensive talent not put together a few scoring drives. Bet on Oklahoma State to win and cover against Kansas State.
Free pick: Oklahoma State (-12.5)