PFB Predictions: Oklahoma State-Tulsa

Ahhh game day. The best and final day of August. The preseason hype train is entering the station, and it’s time to play some football. We can’t wait. Here are our staff predictions for Game 1 against Tulsa on Thursday in Stillwater. Oklahoma State is a 17-point favorite.

Kyle Porter

Pick: Oklahoma State 48-20
Spread: Oklahoma State covers
Player of the Game: Mason Rudolph

I think Oklahoma State starts off the season with a bang and Rudolph hits every one of his elite receivers en route to a 400-yard night. Pokes roll, and the Oil Baron gets snaps in the 4th. Also, there will still be (and always be) #FireYurcich talk after the game. It’s not warranted, but it will exist.

Kyle Boone

Pick: Oklahoma State 52-17
Spread: Oklahoma State covers
Player of the Game: Justice Hill

Kyle Cox

Pick: Oklahoma State 42-24
Spread: Oklahoma State covers (barely)
Player of the Game: Justice Hill

I changed my score prediction just a bit but I still think OSU gets up big early and Gundy tries to grind it out in the running game. Heavy doses of Justice Hill and J.D. King, and Chuba scores his first TD.

Hayden Barber

Pick: Oklahoma State 52-17
Spread: Oklahoma State covers
Player of the game: Justice Hill

As this game slowly drifts out of hand, Hill will get more and more carries. Before long, he will have 150 yards on the ground with at least two scores.

Phillip Slavin

Pick: Oklahoma State 45-20
Spread: Oklahoma State covers
Player of the Game: James Washington

Rudolph puts up big yards int he first half, then sits down halfway through the third. Washington will end up with nearly 200 yards and a couple of TDs after he nabs two deep passes.

Thomas Fleming

Pick: Oklahoma State 51-24
Spread: Oklahoma State covers
Player of the Game: Mason Rudolph

Tulsa’s offense is plug-and-play by nature, and they still have a talented running back in Brewer. That said, I think they will get behind the chains on a number of drives and OSU will (and should) have their way on offense. To be honest, I’m just as excited to see Tulsa’s offense as OSU’s; it will be one of the only (if not THE only) remnant of Baylor that we will see this season.

Carson Cunningham

Pick: Oklahoma State 52-21
Spread: Oklahoma State covers

I remember the 2010 Tulsa game well — TU was up and coming, and several Tulsa media members were picking them to beat OSU that season. OSU annihilated them. It was a 2011-esque first half throttling. That said, Tulsa is a much better program in 2017. I respect Montgomery and think he is a big-time coach. If Tulsa still had Dane Evans at quarterback this would be a much closer game. The offense will do its thing but I think the defense is the story of the game. They will display the speed and athleticism acquired through the past few recruiting cycles.

Justin Southwell

Pick: Oklahoma State 66-17
Spread: Oklahoma State covers
Player of the Game: Mason Rudolph

The Heisman campaign begins with stellar numbers for the senior QB. Several receivers rack up yards, and Washington goes over 100. #Depth. The defense will have a solid game that will give us more fuel to our desires for the Pokes to win it all.

Ryan Harris

Pick: Oklahoma State: 52-21
Spread: Oklahoma State covers
Player of the Game: Ramon Richards

I think Ramon will start his bag year off right by getting the first of his six interceptions I need him to get this season in his return to safety. I don’t think Mason Rudolph will see enough playing time to be player of the game, and I expect to see Corn Dog for most of the second half. Offense should flow in a Pokes route of Tulsa.

Matt Harris

Pick: Oklahoma State 56-27
Spread: Oklahoma State covers
Player of the game: James Washington

The Pokes will hit Washington on a couple of big plays in the first half to get going. Tulsa will keep it close for a half but OSU runs away with it in the third and we will get to see Corndog hand it off to the young guys in the backfield for the last five minutes of the game. I’m most excited to see how the defense gels and how Mason will distribute the ball given his endless options at wide out.