In most of the conferences in college football, it isn’t that difficult to look at the line-up and pick out a couple of potential winners. That is not really the case with the BIG 12, as there are any number of teams in that conference that could claim the top spot. With the first few weeks of the 2016 college football season now in the bag, we get to turn our attention to conference match-ups, and we have what looks like a good one on Saturday night. The 2-1 Oklahoma State Cowboys will make the trip to Waco, Texas to face an unbeaten Baylor Bears team who look as potent on offense as always. The Bears will come into this one as an 8-point online betting favorite, but they will also be aware that this will be their first real challenge of the season. If the previous couple of meetings between these two teams have shown us anything, it that we can expect to see some points hit the board early and often. The team making the fewest mistakes may just be the one to come out on top.
Here’s a Closer Look At The Cowboys at Bears College Football Winning Predictions
When: Saturday, September 24 at 7:30 PM EST
Where: McLane Stadium, Waco
TV: FOX
Live Stream: FOX Sports GO
NCAAF Odds: Baylor Bears -7½
Why bet on the Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Oklahoma State Cowboys have shown that they have an offense that can hang in there with the best of them, but it is their defense that has been letting them down so far. This is a D that gave up 361 passing yards in a loss to Central Michigan in Week 2, and who then gave up 290 yards on the ground to Pittsburgh last week. Ordinarily, that would have meant a loss for most teams, but the Cowboys managed to grind out a 35-28 win over the Panthers, thanks in large part to the 540 passing yards from QB Mason Rudolph. This team had created 7 turnovers through the first 3 games, and they are going to need more of the same if they hope to hang with Baylor.
Why bet on the Baylor Bears
It’s business as usual for the Bears, as they have racked up 133 points through their first 3 games of the season. That probably doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone, although the fact that they have only given up a total of 30 points in those games may be a little on the surprising side. Yes, they were playing lesser opposition in all 3 games, but Baylor have had a history of giving up points no matter who they face. Baylor is 2-0 in meetings with the Cowboys over the past 3 seasons, with both of those games going the shootout route. If the defense can hold up, there is no reason why the Bears can’t win and cover the 8 points.
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
The previous 2 meetings between the Cowboys and the Bears has seen the OVER come in, and that may be the safe bet here. If we are going to go straight up, though, I think the smart money is on the Bears. I just don’t see that Oklahoma State D being able to hold off the attack over the course of the 4 quarters.
