PFB Predictions for OSU-Texas

Oklahoma State’s biggest test to date comes Saturday inside Boone Pickens Stadium as the sixth-ranked Pokes welcome Texas to town.

Below are our staff’s prediction for the game.

Kyle Cox

OSU wins if it wins the turnover battle. The Cowboys got away with a couple last week against Iowa State but will be facing a more potent offense and a defense that has forced eight TOs in five games.

Texas wins if they can extend drives. The Longhorns are decent on third down, but OSU’s defense is Big 12’s best at getting off the field on third down, and leads all teams nationally that have played more than one game (2020 is a weird year for stats too).

This player must have a big game on Saturday for OSU to win: Spencer Sanders had a good, not great game in his return against Iowa State. He needs to be better against UT. OSU will need him to beat the ‘Horns through the air and on the ground and, again, to limit the giveaways. 

Final score: Oklahoma State 35, Texas 31

Marshall Scott

OSU wins if it can establish its run game. Chuba Hubbard had 121 yards against UT last year, but he had 37 (!!) carries. If the Pokes can run consistently, they’ll win.

Texas wins if OSU loses the turnover battle. Spencer Sanders threw two picks against Texas last year and threw two picks last week. He needs to play cleanly.

This player must have a big game on Saturday for OSU to win: Chuba Hubbard must have a big game for OSU to win on Saturday. In this new ball-control style OSU is rocking in 2020, Hubbard needs to show he can consistently get first downs against the Big 12’s top teams (if Texas is still considered in that group).

Final score: Oklahoma State 28, Texas 21

Kyle Boone

OSU wins if it can take care of the football. No silly interceptions. No uh-oh fumbles Just solid, sound football while the OSU defense does what we’ve come to expect from the OSU defense.

Texas wins if it makes the OSU defense look average. No team has done it thus far this season. But no team OSU has faced this season has the firepower Texas has, captained by a veteran QB in Sam Ehlinger.

This player must have a big game on Saturday for OSU to win: It’s gotta be Spencer, right? He had some huge flashes last week against Iowa State. He also had some questionable decisions, including two pretty awful picks. OSU can’t afford those turnovers in this one so they need him to manage this game at a high level.

Final score: OSU 31, Texas 28