mankatofreepress
On October 24 at 7 p.m. EDT, the Oklahoma State Cowboys (4-2) will welcome the Colorado Buffaloes (2-4) to Boone Pickens Stadium for a Big 12 Conference clash. The Cowboys enter as 13.5-point favorites, and they have covered the spread in five of six games this season, while the Buffaloes are 2-4 against the spread.
Fox Sports 1 will broadcast the game.
Oklahoma State's offense has been prolific, ranking fifth nationally with 517.7 total yards per game. The Cowboys average 329.5 passing yards (fourth in the FBS) and 188.2 rushing yards (40th), scoring 37.2 points per contest (22nd). Defensively, Oklahoma State allows 358.2 yards per game (73rd), including 207.0 passing yards (66th) and 151.2 rushing yards (87th), while giving up 23.7 points per game (70th).
Colorado's offense has struggled to find consistency, averaging 394.2 total yards per game (66th). The Buffaloes throw for 253.8 yards (46th) and run for 140.3 yards (96th), but they score only 19.5 points per game (123rd). On defense, Colorado surrenders 357.3 yards per game (71st), with 226.0 passing yards (93rd) and 131.3 rushing yards (54th) allowed, and 25.7 points per game (88th).
Third-down conversions have been a problem for Oklahoma State, which ranks 112th at 34.3%. Colorado's defense ranks 88th, holding opponents to 39.3% on third down. Both teams have negative turnover margins: Oklahoma State is 113th at -4, and Colorado is 126th at -6. The Buffaloes are also heavily penalized, ranking 136th with 84.3 penalty yards per game, while the Cowboys rank 45th with 52.2 penalty yards per game. In the red zone, Colorado scores on 70.6% of trips (130th), and Oklahoma State's red zone defense ranks 17th, allowing scores on 72.2% of opponents' possessions.
Key Players to Watch
Oklahoma State's offense is led by quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who has thrown for 1,940 yards with 16 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, completing 67.0% of his passes. Running back Caleb Hawkins has rushed for 592 yards on 123 carries with 2 touchdowns, and wide receiver Wyatt Young has 561 receiving yards on 32 catches with 5 scores.
For Colorado, quarterback Julian Lewis has passed for 733 yards with 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, completing 64.2% of his attempts. Running back Jaquail Smith has gained 259 yards on 51 carries without a touchdown, and receiver Joseph Williams has 508 yards on 37 receptions with 5 touchdowns.
Recent Performances
Oklahoma State is coming off a 35-32 loss to Houston on October 17. Mestemaker completed 22 of 34 passes for 365 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, and added 34 rushing yards on six carries. Hawkins ran for 68 yards on 17 attempts and caught seven passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. Young contributed 99 yards on five catches with a score.
Colorado fell to Utah 27-24 on October 17. Isaac Wilson led the Buffaloes with 256 passing yards, completing 18 of 30 attempts for two touchdowns and two interceptions, while rushing for 41 yards on seven carries. Smith rushed for 73 yards on 13 carries and had a 68-yard touchdown reception. DeAndre Moore Jr. caught five passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma State visits Iowa State on October 31, and Colorado hosts Kansas State on the same day.
Originally reported by mankatofreepress.