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King of the Game: OSU vs. Iowa State

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It’s time to put Bedlam behind us and turn toward the northeast for a clash with everyone’s favorite football drinking buddy (except when we play them) Iowa State.

That also means it’s time for another exciting edition of King of the Game!

Before we dive in, let’s remind everyone of the rules:

Each week five people will make predictions about the upcoming game. The predictions will vary each week. Plus, each contestant gets the opportunity to earn bonus points by making a wild prop bet. Our contestants will consist of myself, Kyle Cox, Nick Welch, someone from the enemy’s side, and an OSU fan contributor.

This week’s enemy picks come courtesy of Levi Stevenson, Managing Editor of the Iowa State SBNation blog Wide Right and Natty Lite. They are one of the funniest Twitter follows… except for the weeks when we play them.

As for our fan picker, this week fan-favorite Carlie Goekeler returns. She was kind enough to jump in last minute when our other picker never responded (Nice work Luke Barr!) Honestly, we’d let her pick every week but that wouldn’t be fair.

Now to the bets:

• Bet Against the Spread: OSU (-7) — The Cowboys will head to Ames a touchdown favorite over the Cyclones. ISU’s losses this season were by 3, 10, and 4 points this season. Can the Cowboys cover against a stout defense?

• More Turnovers: OSU or ISU – In their last four games, Oklahoma State is turning the ball over an average of 2.5 times a game while forcing an average of 2.75 turnovers a game. Iowa State is only averaging .75 turnovers a game during the same stretch, while forcing 2.25 turnovers a game. So, which team will turn the ball over more on Saturday?

• Over/Under:  19.5 points for OSU — Per game, Iowa State is holding teams to an average of 18.9 points per game. The last three weeks they’ve held West Virginia to 20, TCU to 7, and Texas Tech to 13. Can OSU go for 20 or more or will the Cyclone defense slow down another Big 12 offense?

• King of the Game: Running Back (OSU or TTU) — Two of the Big 12’s best running backs will be on the field this Saturday in OSU’s Justice Hill and Iowa State’s David Montgomery. Both are big for their teams. Will one be the best back on the field this week, or could someone else like J.D. King make the biggest impact? (Highlander Rules)

• Prop Bet: Something wild!

So, without further adieu


Phillip Slavin

Bet Against the Spread: Iowa State – Let me start by saying I think the Cowboys win. However, Iowa State has made a habit, both in games they lose (WVU), and in games they win (Oklahoma) of making comebacks. I could easily see ISU getting a late score to keep the final close.

More Turnovers: OSU – The Cowboys have a turnover problem. Yes, they force them on a rather consistent basis and have been doing so more and more as the season progresses. However, they’re giving the ball away too, especially Rudolph. I think OSU forces one, but turns it over twice, which explains why it’s a close game in the end.

Over/Under: Over – I know they held TCU to seven points, and West Virginia to 20, but I also remember that OU put up 31 on them. I think OSU can hit 20, and probably closer to 30.

King of the Game: J.D. King – I think both Hill and Montgomery have more yards, but I think Gundy will finally, FINALLY, start putting King in when the offense reaches the redzone. King doesn’t get the yards the other two do, but he ends the game with multiple touchdowns.

Prop Bet: OSU holds Iowa State scoreless in at least two quarters.


Kyle Cox

Bet Against the Spread: Iowa State. I’m picking the Cowboys to win but this has the trapping of a muddy, cold, messy contest and I think it’s a lower scoring affair which favors the Cyclones.

More Turnovers: Oh my, the ball is wet! Someone get Mason another towel.

Over/Under: Over. OSU is in all-or-nothing mode and I think this team and this offense is going to be as aggressive as the weather allows.

King of the Game: Justice Hill. He might be playing as good as anyone on the bus that pulls into Ames and I think Gundy wants the ball in Hill’s hands as much as possible.

Prop Bet: There will be a controversial “missed” field goal but it won’t affect the outcome of the game. I hope.


Nick Welch

Bet Against the Spread: OSU – A veteran Cowboy squad will not roll over after seeing its Playoff, and perhaps its Big 12 Title hopes, disintegrate last week in Bedlam. Look for an angry and motivated OSU team to absolutely take it to the Cyclones in Ames, and in doing some, exorcise some demons.

More Turnovers: OSU – Matt Campbell has been preaching ball security and stabilization. I believe they lead the league in fewest turnovers committed. This could be a problem for a suddenly turnover-prone OSU squad.

Over/Under: Over – Over by quite a few. I think OSU puts up double ISU’s season average.

King of the Game: Justice Hill – Justice Hill last week set a Bedlam record for rushing yards in a game with 228 yards. I think Glenn Spencer looks to contain Montgomery and makes Iowa State and Kempt throw vertically downfield.

Prop Bet: To my recollection, OSU has not attempted a flee flicker in conference play which is odd since that was their favorite “trick play” last season. I think that play reappears in Ames on Saturday.


Enemy: Levi Stevenson

Bet Against the Spread: Iowa State – Can they (OSU)? Sure. Will they? I don’t think so. I like the Cyclone defense’s ability to matchup with the Poke offense. This defense has shown the ability to shut down all sorts of offenses, ranging from TCU’s run-first, to Texas Tech’s air raid, to West Virginia’s play action-based vertical passing. Come Saturday, the defense will be ready to go. For me, spreads of a touchdown or less essentially depend on who wins the game. Sure, Iowa State could cover and still lose, but this bet is mostly reliant on who wins the game, and I’m taking the Cyclones.

More Turnovers: OSU – The stats listed above pretty much tell you everything you need to know. Iowa State has a +10 turnover margin and virtually never turns the ball over. My guess is that turnovers on Saturday will be 2-1 in favor of the Cyclones.

Over/Under: Over – By over, I mean they’ll hit 21 points. Holding Oklahoma State to three touchdowns would be a success, even for a defense as good as Iowa State’s.

King of the Game: David Montgomery – I think Justice Hill will probably end up with more yards, but David Montgomery will be the more impressive and impactful back. His ability to turn to a 2 yard loss into an 8 yard gain or a first down is unlike any running back I’ve seen in awhile. This bet comes down to how you define success. Is 125 yards and zero touchdowns, or 85 yards and touchdown, plus another 45 receiving yards more impactful? I lean towards the latter, so I’ll go with Montgomery.

Prop Bet: The 2011 game will be brought up no later than the end of the first quarter.


Fan: Carlie Goekeler

Bet Against the Spread: OSU – OSU by 10. I think the Cowboys offense really found their stride last week against Oklahoma. Whether Washington plays or not, I think the Cowboys cover here.

More Turnovers: OSU – Unfortunately, I think OSU has more turnovers here.  I have yet so see us play a clean game from start to finish in conference play so I’ll be shocked if I don’t see Rudolph throw a pick or one of the running back horses drop one. Let’s all just hope if OSU does have more turnovers than ISU, that it doesn’t come on a special teams play because man those are TOUGH to watch.

Over/Under: Over – This goes with my pick that OSU covers in this game. I think Iowa State’s defense hangs with Texas’s as far as the Big 12 goes but I think King of the Hill and Co. will run it up on them.

King of the Game: Justice Hill – Hill, no doubt. I’m all in on J.D King, especially in the red zone but take it straight from the mouth of the mullet “there’s something special about number 5”.

Prop Bet: Dillon Stoner throws a touchdown pass. Look for Sergeant Stoner to be a part of a magical trick play Saturday. Gundy threw him out there last year with the season on the line so the trust is definitely there.

 

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