The Oklahoma State Cowboys are looking to build on the momentum from upsetting Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl back in January. Currently ranked No. 11 in the country, the Cowboys have a legitimate shot to make the college football playoff on the shoulders of Senior Spencer Sanders. If the Cowboys can beat Baylor and or Oklahoma and then win the Big 12 Championship, they could have a chance.
Sanders isn’t listed on the Heisman watch right now, but he could play his way into the conversation. He’s a dual threat with a legit passing arsenal. Last season, he put up career numbers with 2,839 passing yards and 20 touchdowns to go along with 668 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
What did he do in week 1? Only … 463 all-purpose yards and SIX touchdowns!
Arizona State is coming off a solid season under Herm Edwards, finishing 8-5 with an eventual loss to Wisconsin in the Las Vegas Bowl. They took care of business against in-state opponent Northern Arizona last week, 40-3.
However, the score doesn’t tell the whole story. The Sun Devils settled for four field goals and were only 4-for-13 on third down. Their defense was solid allowing only 23 rushing yards, but it’s hard to gauge the legitimacy when a Power 5 conference plays a team from the Big Sky.
FanDuel has Oklahoma State favored by 11.5 while the total sits at 57.5, a number that the Cowboys eclipsed on their own last week. I’m already leaning toward the over and we haven’t even got the details yet.
Arizona State vs Oklahoma State Prediction & Week 2 Picks
Arizona State Offense
The Sun Devils offense will bring some new weapons to the OK State Corral this weekend. With Rachaad White in the NFL and quarterback Jayden Daniels gone to LSU, this ASU squad had two big holes to fill.
Well, the holes were filled via the transfer route as that seems to be the case across the nation lately.
Former Florida quarterback Emory Jones threw for 19 touchdowns and ran for 759 yards for the Gators in 2021 and will look to improve on his passing game as the new starter for the Sun Devils. Xazavian Valladay ran for 1,000 yards twice at Wyoming but will take on a new challenge of doing it in the PAC-12. He got off to a great start rushing for 117 yards on 15 carries, scoring two touchdowns against Northern Arizona.
Coach Herm Edwards is in his fifth season and will have his hands full with much of the PAC-12 improving.
I’d say it will be a challenge to score some points against the Big 12’s reining No. 1 defense. The Cowboys lead the conference in scoring defense at just 16.8 points per game on just 273.6 yards. They also lead the nation in sacks with 57.
Not so fast.
Last week, the Cowboys gave up 44 points and 544 yards of total offense to Central Michigan. The Cowboys had a 29-point lead going into the half, but let Central climb back into the game.
This Arizona team has the talent to score and could make this a shootout.
Oklahoma State Offense
The Cowboys returned three offensive linemen and seven of their top eight receivers from 2021.
Spencer Sanders has a solid core of veterans surrounding him and should continue to put up big numbers against a pretty tough schedule. The offensive line held up nicely against Central Michigan only allowing one sack in the game. Sanders led the team in rushing attempts in Week 1.
If the ASU defense manages to contain Sanders on the ground, the Cowboys can resort back to Dominic Richardson, who averaged 6.8 yards per carry on nine attempts last week.
The Arizona State defense gave up three points and 120 totals yards but failed to record a sack in their game against Northern Arizona. If they can’t get pressure on Sanders, he should have a field day.
Arizona State vs. Oklahoma State Prediction
Both of these defenses were great last year, but have enough new pieces that they’ll be just good and not great. The offenses are electric and this should be a fast-paced game.
Oklahoma State was the 10th-fastest playing team in 2021. They averaged 78 plays per game and ran 74 against Central Michigan last week. If the Cowboy’s continue this pace with their efficient offense, the Sun Devils are going to have to keep up by throwing the ball.
Everything is leaning towards this game being a shootout, and I think the 57.5 point total is far too low.
I’m taking the over and calling a 40-28 victory for the Cowboys.
NCAAF Best Bets: Over 57.5 (-110)
