PFB Picks: Predictions for Oklahoma State’s Homecoming Matchup against Cincinnati

The last time the Bearcats came to Stillwater, the Cowboys celebrated America’s Greatest Homecoming with a 32-point win. That was a long two years ago. Now they come into Saturday’s game as three-touchdown underdogs.

The Pistols Firing staff convened to make predictions for how things play out between two programs currently on almost opposite trajectories.

Marshall Scott

Score: Cincinnati 38, Oklahoma State 17

OSU Player of the Game: Gavin Freeman

Uniform: White (Cursive Pokes) – Orange – Orange

Thoughts: This would be a great spot for the Cowboys’ to find a way to win and would be a big boost in terms of fanbase moral to upset a ranked team on homecoming. But having watched the Cowboys the past two seasons, that’s a hard thing to predict. Gavin Freeman is always a juke move away from making a big play, so I’m going with him to pull some highlights out. OSU is hyping up its uniform announcement, so I have no clue what the Cowboys will wear.

Kyle Cox

Score: Cincinnati 35, Oklahoma State 21

OSU Player of the Game: Sam Jackson V

Uniform: Black (New Helmet) – Orange- White

Thoughts: As stated above, these two programs are just on different ends of the spectrum. One is building something and the other is trying to see what pieces actually fit (hence a WR playing QB). Cincy is pretty good against the rush but they did give up over a hundred yards on the ground to UCF quarterback Cam Fancher. So maybe Sam Jackson can break free for something special. We’re grasping a bit. I hope whatever HC helmet that they come up with is cool.

Tyler Waldrep

Score: Cincinnati 38, Oklahoma State 23

OSU Player of the Game: Mordecai McDaniel

Uniform: Black (Brand)- Orange-Orange

Thoughts: McDaniel has the quietest possible 23 tackles in the last two games. Only three Cowboys have more than that this entire season.
A win Saturday would require an elite-level performance from at least one offensive player AND some Homecoming magic. One of those seems more likely than the other.

The case for magic is pretty simple: OSU went toe-to-toe with eventual Big 12 champ Arizona State last year for two quarters until a thunderstorm suspended the game during halftime, and a holding penalty wiped out a special teams score. This Cincinnati team has the same underwhelming start as the Sun Devils, and the Bearcats (3-0 Big 12) are starting to look like conference contenders.