Oklahoma State vs Iowa State Preview: Cyclones Small Home Favorites
Big 12 Conference Opener For Both Squads
Oklahoma State visits Iowa State on Saturday in a game that will be key for both teams and their bowl hopes. Neither will be able to keep up with the big dogs in the Big 12. So, getting a win now will help one team try to reach six victories. The Cowboys are 2-1 straight-up and 1-2 against the spread. Iowa State is 1-2 straight-up and ATS. The Oklahoma State vs Iowa State preview sees the Cyclones favored by 3.5 points, and the total is just 36.5.
Oklahoma State Cowboys at Iowa State Cyclones 
Day/Time:Saturday, Sept. 23, 4 p.m. ET
Line: Iowa State -3.5
Total: 36.5
Streaming: FS1
Cowboys Quarterback Situation Unsettled
The Oklahoma State Cowboys enter Week 4 in an unenviable situation. Through three games, the quarterback situation is still up in the air. Three different quarterbacks have thrown at least 29 passes, and collectively, they’ve thrown for 609 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
That wouldn’t be much of a problem if the running game was holding its own. But that’s not the case. Oklahoma State has rushed for 356 yards and a 3.9 yards per carry average in three games. No matter how you look at it, the Cowboys haven’t been very good offensively, averaging 20.3 points per game.
Oklahoma State also allows 20.3 points per game, but are allowing some yards. Teams average 158.7 yards per game, rushing against the Cowboys and 195.7 yards through the air.
Oklahoma State is coming off a dismal 33-7 loss to South Alabama, a game in which the college football spreads had the Cowboys favored by 7. It took a fourth-quarter touchdown by Oklahoma State to avoid the shutout.
Cyclones Playing Tough on Defense, Poor Offensively
Iowa State is averaging 16.7 points per game and it doesn’t run or throw that well. The Cyclones are averaging just 3.3 yards per carry and throwing for 184 yards per contest. Iowa State has just one rushing touchdown all season and that was by quarterback Rocco Becht. Cartevious Norton leads the team with 123 rushing yards.
The Iowa State defense has played well, allowing just 13 points per game. The Cyclones are holding teams to 118.7 rushing yards and 143.7 passing yards per game. Iowa State hasn’t played the toughest schedule around, with no opponents in the NCAA football rankings. But Iowa and Ohio are decent teams.
What to Expect
The Oklahoma State vs Iowa State preview notes that both teams are 0-3 in totals. That’s the primary reason the total for this game is just 36.5. Only nine games had totals of 36.5 or less last season and these games were 3-6 in totals.
Both teams will likely come out and try to establish the run. While neither is a great running team, they’re also not good enough through the air to win games passing the ball. If the Cowboys settle on a quarterback, they may improve a bit through the air. But right now, it’s hard for any of the quarterbacks to get into sort of rhythm.
It’s a bit of a cliche, but both teams will try to limit offensive mistakes, such as penalties and turnovers, while looking to their defense to shut down the opposition. This game is basically ‘Football 101,’ in whichever team plays the cleanest game, has a solid chance to win.
Who to Bet On?
Even though games with low totals land on the under more often that not, it still isn’t easy to pull the trigger when you’re looking at a 36.5. The under could be the best of the NCAAF picks on this game. At least based on what we’ve seen from the two teams so far. Things could change moving forward and it could take the sportsbook a little time to adjust.
The Oklahoma State vs Iowa State preview has this game as one that could go either way. The point spread would have been a few points lower before the Cowboys were thumped by South Alabama. But you can’t ignore that game, as Oklahoma State was dismal on offense, gaining just 208 total yards. And the Jaguars haven’t proven themselves to be defensive juggernauts this season.
But Iowa State wasn’t much better against Ohio, losing 10-7 in a game that saw the two teams combine for 518 total yards. Iowa State had several chances, but a late interception and a field goal that was called no good did the Cyclones in.
There were 16 games last season that saw both teams score seven or fewer points in the previous game and they went 10-6 in totals. So in a toss-up, will have to side with Oklahoma State +3.5.
For more NCAAF news, betting odds, analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
