PFB Picks: Laying Out Predictions for Oklahoma State’s Season-Opener against Central Arkansas

After a long offseason of transfer portal turnover and conference realignment, the Cowboys are just over 24 hours from taking the field again.

Oklahoma State hosts Central Arkansas at 6 p.m. Saturday in Boone Pickens Stadium in what appears to be a fun, unpredictable season of OSU football. But we’ll try to predict the unpredictable, starting with the Pokes’ clash against the FCS Bears. Here is how we see Saturday’s game shaking out.

Marshall Scott

Score: Oklahoma State 38, Central Arkansas 17

Thoughts: I don’t think this one is ever in doubt for the Cowboys, but I do think the Bears are talented enough to get some points on the board. This one has some vibes to OSU’s 2021 matchup against Missouri State — the one where OSU won by only a touchdown. But, I think the Pokes come out with something to prove and control the game from start to finish.

I think the Cowboys will pound the rock after talking about improving the run game all offseason, which is why I have the score relatively low for an FCS foe.

Kyle Cox

Score: Oklahoma State 41, Central Arkansas 14

Thoughts: I agree. I think the coaching staff plays it pretty conservative. Get in and get out. The Cowboys will get plenty of practice in the run game and we see all three QBs takes snaps.

While it will be fun to see some actual football played, I don’t think we learn a ton about OSU other than the order in which the quarterbacks see the field.

Give the Bears a late TD on the third-string defense and the box score mimics more of a football game than it was.

Dekota Gregory

Score: Oklahoma State 37, Central Arkansas 24

Thoughts: I think a new defensive system and miscommunication against a veteran team (even though it’s FCS) results in some busted plays for the Cowboys, which is why I have UCA scoring more than Marsh and Kyle do. I do agree that the OSU offense will be conservative, though, with three QBs going in and out. And maybe even out of whack at times because of that. That actually makes me more excited, though, to see Ollie Gordon come out strong.

It won’t be too exciting, but the Pokes will get their run game going before heading to the desert.