Free Pick: Oklahoma State (6-0) at Iowa State (4-2) 10/23/21

Undefeated Oklahoma State invades Ames, Iowa to tangle with the Cyclones who seem to be improving and getting better as the season moves along. These two teams have played some classic games in recent years with the Cowboys coming out on top the majority of the time. They are coming off their biggest win of the season last weekend, a 32-24 win over Texas, in Austin. The Cyclones have lost to Iowa in a game they could have won, and also at Baylor, another game that they dominated everywhere but the scoreboard. Let’s check out the betting angles on this one.

BETTING ANGLE NO.1: TOTAL TEAM POINTS

Iowa State: 26.5 Total Points Oklahoma State: 20.5 Total Points

Vegas is expecting a low-scoring game in this one as Oklahoma State has been very stingy on defense, giving up 20 points per game. The Cyclones are averaging 438 yards per game and have experienced skill people on offense. Quarterback, Brock Purdy is in his 4th year as the starter and he has thrown for 1341 yards and 9 touchdowns. Running back, Breece Hall, is a workhorse and has 771 yards and has accounted for 10 touchdowns. They also have 2 talented receivers in, deep threat, Xavier Hutchinson, and tight end, Charlie Kolar. The Cyclones have scored more than 27 points in every game except Iowa, where turnovers held them back. On the other hand, the most points given up by Oklahoma State is 24, last week against Texas.

Oklahoma State has been improving each week and are averaging 27 points per game. They are led by running back Jaylen Warren, who has 740 rushing yards and is another in a long line of excellent Cowboy running backs. Quarterback, Spencer Sanders hasn’t lived up to his billing, but he wins a lot of games. He doesn’t have impressive passing stats (59% completion percentage, 959 passing yards, 6 touchdown passes, and 5 interceptions), but he can make some big plays and he also is a threat running the ball as he has 269 yards rushing. Oklahoma State is anything but flashy, but they have been very successful so far. They have scored more than 21 points in every game this season and will be encountering a very good Iowa State defense who are holding opponents to 16 points per game.

BETTING ANGLE NO.2: OVER/UNDER TEAM TOTALS

The over/under for this game is 47 which makes a lot of sense.

Iowa State is averaging 34 points per game but they have played two of the worst teams in the nation (48 points against UNLV, 59 against Kansas) so that statistic is a little skewed. A more accurate barometer to measure them by, would be games against Iowa (17 points scored), Baylor (29), snd Kansas State (33). Those three games show that they have the capability to get to at least 25 points. The Cowboys defense has been good and will be the best defense the Cyclones have seen.

Oklahoma State is averaging 27 points per game and have been remarkably consistent. Their highest scoring game was last week when they put up 32 against the Longhorns. They also scored 31 against Kansas State and 24 against Baylor. Iowa State gave up 27 to Iowa, 31 to Baylor, and 20 last week against Kansas State. The Cyclone defense will be the best the Cowboys have seen this year, but is reasonable to assume that they can score 20-24 points.

BETTING ANGLE NO.3: THE POINT SPREAD

Remarkably, unranked Iowa State, comes into the game as a 7-point favorite over the 8th ranked Cowboys. Talk about a lack of respect for Oklahoma State!!. On paper, the Cyclones have the better skill people and more offensive production, but as mentioned above, a lot of those impressive numbers came against UNLV and Kansas which have a combined 1-11 record. Oklahoma State has played a much tougher schedule and has wins at Boise State and Texas as well as home victories against Baylor and Kansas State. The two teams have common opponents in Kansas State which they both defeated by very similar scores, (33-20 for Iowa State and 31-20 for the Cowboys), and Baylor, who Oklahoma State beat 24-14 in Stillwater, and Iowa State lost to Baylor, 31-29 in Waco.