Against the Spread: OSU a Touchdown Favorite over Iowa State

After an emotional roller-coaster that was Bedlam 2017, Oklahoma State travels to Ames on Saturday for an 11 a.m. kick where it will be favored by a touchdown.

The Cyclones, who entered the first edition of the CFB Playoff rankings last week at No. 15, fell to West Virginia in Morgantown 20-16 this past weekend. Like OSU, they now need to win out and need a little help for a shot to get back into the Big 12 title race.

Let’s take a look at how the two squads compare in the eyes of Vegas.

Against the spread in 2017

• OSU is 5-4 against the spread this season. Its loss by 10 to OU as a slight favorite marks the second time in three games the Pokes have not covered, and the second time this season it has lost when favored.

• Iowa State: Iowa State is 7-2 against the spread this season, with its claim to Vegas fame being a straight up win over Oklahoma on Oct. 7 as a four touchdown dog.

Advice: Take Iowa State to cover. Iowa State + Jack Trice + OSU = close games in years past. I don’t see that being different this year.

Straight up in 2017

• OSU is 7-2 with losses to OU and TCU, the top dogs in the league entering this week.

• Iowa State is 6-3 with losses to W. Virginia, Texas and Iowa. Under new QB Kyle Kempt, though, the Clones are 4-1.

Advice: Take OSU to squeeze out a close one. Pokes escape 11/11 at 11 a.m. with a W.

Over/Under

• OSU: Six out of nine games OSU has combined to hit the over mark, including an 114 point shootout this past weekend in Stillwater.

• Iowa State: Unlike OSU, ISU is an under champ. The Clones have hit the under six out of nine games, including six of their last seven.

Advice: Take the under if it’s anything above 55. I think this one could be a 27-24 type game. Defensive brunch struggle. Going to be nauseating.

Bonus picks

• Take OU -7 against TCU: I don’t think the Frogs stand a chance against the Sooners offense. Baker Mayfield is hitting Heisman stride, and not even Gary Patterson can stop him.

• Michigan State +15.5 vs. Ohio State is easy money. Sparty is coming off a big win over Penn State, and now faces a Buckeyes team that miiiiight not actually have an offense anymore. Even in C-Bus, I think this is going to be a defensive battle that plays into the favor of Mich. St.

• Underdog pick of the week: West Virginia +1.5 at K-State. Billy Grier rebounded from his infinity interception game against OSU to lead his Mountaineers to a 20-16 win over Iowa State. I think his squad gets it done on the road in the Little Apple as a 1.5 point dog.