This is a big issue.
Oklahoma State hosts Big 12 newcomer Utah on Saturday at 3 p.m. Despite being newcomers, the Utes were tipped to win the conference in their first season. But first, the Utes face their biggest conference matchup of the season, their first real Big 12 game.
This is how the PFB team sees the outcome of the matter.
Michael Scott
Score: Oklahoma State 31, Utah 28
MVP of the game: Alan Bowman
Uniform: Orange (brand)-Orange-White
Thoughts: This game is a tough pick, not only because it looks to be a closely contested game, but also because it’s hard to predict what the Utes’ quarterback situation will look like. Assuming Cam Rising is 100% healthy – even then, he would have only played 65 live snaps in the last 600+ days. For that reason, I’m picking Oklahoma State. I think Alan Bowman and his receivers found confidence in each other last weekend in Tulsa and that will be a big influence on Saturday’s game, and while Gordon’s numbers may not look stellar given the excellent standard he set, I think OSU will get some momentum against the Utes.
Kyle Cox
Score: Oklahoma State 35, Utah 28
MVP of the game: Ollie Gordon
Uniform: White (Cursive Cowboys)-Black-White
Thoughts: As for my MVP, see last week’s prediction. TL;DR: I’m picking Ollie until he proves he can’t be the MVP. Also, OSU needs to be two-dimensional on offense for my scoring prediction to be correct. Utah’s defense has only allowed a 97.5 opponent passer rating and a 1:1 TD-interception ratio so far this year. As good as Alan Bowman looked against Tulsa, this is a whole different caliber. OSU needs Ollie to clean up. I went with BWB not only because it’s sexy, but also because it might be the safest bet if you’re superstitious about such things.
Dekota Gregory
Score: Oklahoma State 34, Utah 27
MVP of the game: Alan Bowman
Uniform: Black (Cursive Cowboys)-Black-Orange
Thoughts: At this point, I think there’s a reason the Pac-12 is a dead conference, and that’s why I think Utah is overrated despite the success where it came from. This is the biggest non-Bedlam game in Stillwater in a very long time. And there’s just something about Boone Pickens Stadium. There’s just no atmosphere like there is in the BPS out west. This is the Pokes’ conference after Saturday.
For the Cowboys to win this game, they’re going to have to rely on Alan Bowman’s arm. Utah will do whatever it takes to shut down Ollie Gordon, so if the Cowboys win, it’ll be thanks to Bowman.
