Oklahoma State Football: Cowboys, Red Raiders to light up scoreboard

One of the best rivalries in the Big 12 has been between Oklahoma State football and the Texas Tech Red Raiders over the past few years.

The Cowboys and Red Raiders renew that series this Saturday in a game sure to keep the scoreboard operate busy.

Coming into the week, Texas Tech is averaging just under 56 points per game and 624 yards of total offense. Oklahoma State sits at 52 points and 590 yards per game, which might be why the over/under is at 79.5 points.

Taylor Cornelius might not be as well-known as Mason Rudolph, but he has kept the offense humming right along. Cornelius has completed 65 of 101 passes for 971 yards with seven touchdowns, using Tylan Wallace to the tune of 19 catches and over 300 yards.

As expected, Justice Hill is the focal point, running for 277 yards and four touchdowns.

While the Cowboy offense is led by Cornelius and Hill, it has been the defense that has come up big over the past five games.

Oklahoma State has not allowed more than 21 points to any of its five most recent opponents, which includes wins over Boise State and Virginia Tech.

When Alan Bowman was thrust into action at quarterback, the newcomer didn’t flinch. He is 94-for-133 passing for 1,160 yards and eight touchdowns, but has strong running backs like Ta’Zhawn Henry to use, as well.

Last week in a 63-49 win over Houston, Bowman was 43 of 59 for 605 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. In fact, he has yet to throw a pick on the season.

Henry has racked up six touchdowns already and 166 yards rushing on 35 carries.

Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s game between Florida International and Miami:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 22
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Stillwater, Okla.
Venue: Boone Pickens Stadium
TV: FOX Sports 1
Live Stream: FOX Sports GO | Fubo TV

Keys to Victory

Texas Tech has done a nice job balancing out the “Air Raid” offense with a ground unit averaging over 175 yards per game. They will need to rely on that even more in hopes of slowing down Oklahoma State.

If the Red Raiders can sustain long, time-consuming drives, that would be to their benefit in hopes of pulling off the road upset.

Oklahoma State, meanwhile, has always been about finding a healthy balance between the run and pass. And after containing Boise State a week ago, the Cowboys have proven to have a solid defense, as well.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of OddsShark

Point Spread: Oklahoma State -12.5
Over/Under: 79.5

Prediction

The Cowboys have a better defense, and in the end, that will be what makes a difference in this one. Teams are rushing for just 74 yards per contest against Oklahoma State, and while I don’t expect them to limit Texas Tech to that few of yards, they will force them to the air and create turnovers.

Final Score: Oklahoma State 45, Texas Tech 35