The Tulsa Golden Hurricane take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on Friday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Oklahoma State is favored by 11.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -395. Tulsa, meanwhile, comes in as a +11.5 underdog and is +310 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 55.5 points.
Here’s my Tulsa vs. Oklahoma State prediction and college football picks for Friday, September 19.
Tulsa vs Oklahoma State Prediction
- Tulsa vs. Oklahoma State Pick: Tulsa +11.5
My Oklahoma State vs. Tulsa best bet is on the Golden Hurricane to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Tulsa vs Oklahoma State Odds
| Tulsa Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+11.5 -112 | 54.5 -112o / -108u | +310 |
| Oklahoma State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-11.5 -108 | 54.5 -112o / -108u | -395 |
- Tulsa vs Oklahoma State Spread: Oklahoma State -11.5, Tulsa +11.5
- Tulsa vs Oklahoma State Over/Under: 54.5 Points
- Tulsa vs Oklahoma State Moneyline: Tulsa +310, Oklahoma State -395
Tulsa vs Oklahoma State College Football Betting Preview
Tulsa Golden Hurricane Betting Preview: Good Timing for Matchup
Tulsa got a strong start last week against Navy, but everything seemed to derail after the first quarter. The Golden Hurricane totaled 326 yards of offense without starting quarterback Kirk Francis.
The good news for Tulsa is that Francis can return for its matchup against Oklahoma State, which will help the struggling offense. It's a very ugly early-season matchup, and Tulsa's metrics on both sides of the ball reflect that.
The offense could use Francis to jolt its production, but regardless, this is a plus matchup for it against a pathetic Oklahoma State defense. Tulsa ranks 79th in EPA/Pass, and the Pokes' secondary has been lousy thus far.
The Golden Hurricane's running game has also been nonexistent thus far, but they should benefit from Oklahoma State's bad run defense.
The talent gap isn't as large as the public perceives, as Oklahoma State has been arguably one of the worst Power 4 programs in the nation thus far.
The Golden Hurricane don't have any notable injuries on the defensive side of the ball, but it should be noted that they were supposed to be an inexperienced unit that was expected to have some growing pains.
I don't like what I've seen from their defense, but the Pokes have been so bad that it may not even matter from a schematic perspective.
Their defensive line is the group's anchor, and they've done a decent job in the trenches. They should do enough to keep this game close, but I expect it to be an ugly affair.
Oklahoma State Cowboys Betting Preview: A Mess in Stillwater
I don't know where to start because things have been a disaster in Stillwater. Head coach Mike Gundy has built a strong legacy during his tenure, but it's time to ask if there needs to be a change.
When I say the Pokes are a bad football team, that might be an understatement. They're truly embarrassing. Two weeks ago, they were destroyed by Oregon, 69-3, in a game they were outgained by more than 400 yards.
The Ducks are one of the top teams in the country, so it's not too shameful to be embarrassed by them. However, OK State's performance at home against UT Martin was a disgrace.
The Cowboys won, 27-7, but struggled mightily for three quarters. That was a glaring sign that they would be a doormat for most FBS opponents on their schedule.
Whether Tulsa is missing Francis or not, the Pokes shouldn't be 12.5-point favorites against anybody right now. Both sides of the ball have been a complete disaster, and I'm specifically concerned about their offense.
The Pokes rank outside the top 100 in the following offensive metrics:
- EPA/Pass
- EPA/Rush
- Available Yards Gained
- Early Down EPA
- Offensive Success Rate
Quarterback Zane Flores hasn't thrown a touchdown pass yet and has two interceptions on the season. Leading rusher Kalib Hicks is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry, so there's a huge mess to be sorted out on the offensive side of the ball.
It doesn't get much prettier defensively. Along with getting embarrassed by Oregon, the Pokes were pushed around for most of their matchup in Week 1 against UT Martin.
Entering the season, we knew they had lost a ton of talent on defense, but I never could've envisioned it getting to his level of ugliness.
Tulsa is no offensive juggernaut, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Pokes be pushed around again on Friday night.
Tulsa vs Oklahoma State Pick, Betting Analysis
You may need a stiff drink while watching these two teams clash on Friday night, but the only side to play here is Tulsa catching 12.5 points.
Oklahoma State should benefit from coming off a bye, but it's such a mess on both sides of the ball that I can't lay points with this team against any opponent.
Whether Francis returns for Tulsa or not, it should be able to move the ball consistently throughout the matchup. If Francis does start, I expect this line to sink below 10.
It's as ugly as it gets for Week 4, but give me Tulsa to keep the game within reach on Friday night.
Pick: Tulsa +11.5 (Play to +10)
