Plenty of conference bragging rights will be decided in a number of head-to-heads scheduled for College Football Week 2, and Stillwater will serve as the backdrop for an SEC underdog as we preview Arkansas vs. Oklahoma State on Saturday.
OK State is a 10-point favorite (-10) over Arkansas in Week 2 of College Football, and the Cowboys are just shy of -400 to win outright on Saturday, with the Razorbacks +275 to pull off the upset. The total is over/under 61.5 points scored across the board.
Here's my Arkansas vs Oklahoma State NCAAF Predictions & Picks — 9/7.
Arkansas vs Oklahoma State NCAAF Predictions & Picks
Oklahoma State vs Arkansas Best Bet: Over 61.5 |Bet to 63
The total on Arkansas vs Oklahoma State has come down slightly on Saturday morning, which is a good thing for our college football Week 2 pick on the over in this game.
Arkansas vs Oklahoma State NCAAF Odds
| Arkansas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10 -110 | 61.5 -110o / -110u | +300 |
| Oklahoma State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10 -110 | 61.5 -110o / -110u | -380 |
- Arkansas vs Oklahoma State Point Spread: Oklahoma State -10 | Arkansas +10
- Arkansas vs Oklahoma State Over/Under: 61.5
- Arkansas vs Oklahoma State Moneyline: Oklahoma State -380 | Arkansas +300
The Oklahoma State vs Arkansas college football odds have been on the move, with Oklahoma State going from a 7.5-point favorite to a 10-point favorite, and the total moving from 63 or 62.5 down to 61.5.
Oklahoma State, which finished 10-4 in 2023, was successful in an easy ATS cover against South Dakota State. Prior to that, the Pokes were responsible for winning the last version of Bedlam, sending in-state rival Oklahoma packing to the SEC.
While the Big 12 schedule is of the greatest importance to the team goals, quarterback Alan Bowman relayed that a Week 2 bout with Arkansas is paramount to the players who weren't recruited by SEC schools.
The Razorbacks (4-8 in 2023) were also highly successful in Week 1, posting 10 offensive touchdowns in 10 total possessions. While the Cowboys were dealing with a tw0-time FCS champion, the Razorbacks took on in-state rival UAPB, which ranks as one of the worst teams in all of Division I.
Arkansas looked fantastic on both sides of the ball, as the defense continued a heavy aggressive style, while new faces at running back logged numerous explosive plays.
The true measuring stick of these two programs comes in the early time slot on Saturday, as Oklahoma State has a chance to beat an SEC team once again.
College Football Week 2: Arkansas vs Oklahoma State
Arkansas Razorbacks Football Betting Preview: Can Havoc be Created on Defense?
The return of Bobby Petrino to the Arkansas coaching staff was a successful one. Not only did the Hogs score on every possession, the offense converted all nine third downs while going over the national average for Success Rate in Standard Downs by 25%.
Arkansas quarterbacks hit 15 different targets in the passing game, while Ja'Quinden Jackson made every Razorback fan forget the days of Rocket Sanders.
Did Ja’Quinden Jackson just wave to a UAPB cheerleader after scoring a touchdown?! pic.twitter.com/Or84dBY3rK
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) August 30, 2024
The offense ran inside and outside zone read exclusively through 11, 12 and 10 personnel. Taylen Green was pressured on four drop backs while averaging 13.2 yards in average depth of target.
Petrino was spotted smiling and laughing on the sidelines at the conclusion of the game, but there were spots in the box score that need attention from the coaching staff.
Green had three drops on the day at 15.8%, more than double his career average from three years at Boise State. Those drops came on 12 combined targets to wideouts Tyrone Broden and Jordan Anthony, who are both expected to be major contributors after the latest release of the depth chart.
Top receiver Andrew Armstrong — and Green's roommate — didn't play against UAPB and will get his first game action against the Pokes.
The offensive line graded out well, with spot-starter E'Marion Harris having issues in pass blocking. The guard filled in for Patrick Kutas, whose status is unknown for Week 2.
Defensive coordinator Travis Williams nearly cut his blitz rate in half, sending an extra man after the UAPB quarterback on just 10 defensive snaps. Williams is know for a blitz rate of 35% or more, with usage of an ultra-aggressive Cover Zero.
The base defense did plenty against the rush, stuffing 12-of-19 runs from UAPB for an average of 2.1 yards per play in ground attempts. If there's an area of worry heading into Oklahoma State, the Razorbacks failed to create any Havoc in the defensive backfield despite sending virtually no blitz.
Starting corner Jaheim Singletary created the lone pass breakup on 22 passing attempts from the Lions. Starters at corner such as Jaylon Braxton, safety TJ Metcalf and corner Tevis Metcalf allowed all targets to become a secure catch-and-gain for UAPB.
Oklahoma State Cowboys Football Betting Preview: Gordon + OL the Key
Running back Ollie Gordon II was arrested earlier this summer, serving his punishment at Big 12 Media Days with an apology to the press.
The Heisman hopeful put those violations behind him with a three-touchdown performance against South Dakota State. Gordon powered through the FCS defensive line for 126 yards, but he averaged just 2.8 yards after contact.
The senior-dominated offensive line didn't have the cleanest game, allowing 10 run stuffs and eight pressures on Bowman. The seventh-year senior quarterback was fantastic on the day, committing only one turnover worthy play.
Ollie Gordon II finds the end zone for the first time this season.#GoPokes | #RatedProspect
pic.twitter.com/weGtJkho9w— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) August 31, 2024
The path is clear for Oklahoma State in passing situations, as Bowman targeted slot Brennan Presley and wideout De'Zhaun Stribling a combined 17 times against South Dakota State.
The Cowboys were firing on all cylinders from an explosive and methodical standpoint, reaching two or more first downs on seven-of-13 offensive possessions.
The 3-3-5 defense of coordinator Bryan Nardo played contain against one of the best offenses in FCS. South Dakota State failed to produce a methodical drive, defined as any offensive possession with at least 10 plays.
The Pokes turned up the heat in passing downs, limiting the Jackrabbits to a low 3.7 yards per play through 28 attempts.
Havoc continues to be a staple with edge Collin Oliver producing eight pressures.
How to Watch Arkansas vs Oklahoma State
| Location: | Boone Pickens Stadium |
| Date: | Saturday, Sept. 7 |
| Kickoff Time: | 12 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ABC |
Oklahoma State vs. Arkansas is set to start at 12 p.m. ET on ABC, ESPN+, YouTube TV, Sling and any other streaming services that offer ABC. The game kicks off from Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
How to Make College Football Picks on Arkansas vs Oklahoma State
Both Arkansas and Oklahoma State flashed the strength of their offenses against inferior competition in the opening game. Both teams flashed workhorse running backs and competent quarterback play, but the issues for each squad begin with the pass defense.
Arkansas produced a single pass breakup against 22 UAPB passing attempts.
Conversely, Oklahoma State produced three pass breakups against 35 passing attempts from South Dakota State. Per PFF, the Cowboys and Razorbacks rank 109th and 117th in coverage grading against FCS competition.
Even more worrisome for both defenses is the missed tackles, as the Pokes and Razorbacks combined for 23 missed tackles and grades outside of the top 100, per PFF.
Arkansas did filter in second- and third-string defensive players, but it still had missed tackles from starters Landon Jackson and Xavian Sorey Jr.
Oklahoma State starters Nickolas Martin and Cam Smith were also responsible for missed tackles.
There's every expectation that both offenses will find success. Bowman gushed about Stribling in the preseason, predicting the wideout would have plenty of explosive plays in single coverage. The Arkansas defensive front may commit an extra man in the box to satisfy the blitz package expected, but leaving a miss-tackling secondary in one-and-one coverage could create quick scores.
Conversely, South Dakota State filled the Cowboys' box score with a rusher averaging 8.1 yards per carry and a leading receiver hauling in seven-of-11 targets for 150 yards.
There's every expectation this game will be filled with explosive plays, missed tackles and no pass breakups.
Pick: Over 63 or Better
Oklahoma State vs Arkansas NCAAF Betting Trends
- OK State is 1-0 against the spread this season and the over hit in the Pokes' only outing.
- 46% of the bets are on Arkansas ATS while 59% of the money is on the Razorbacks to cover.
- 95% of moneyline bets and 99% of the money are on Oklahoma State to win outright.
- 61% of bets and 93% of the money are on the over.
Betting trends courtesy of our exclusive NCAAF Public Betting & Money Percentages page.
Oklahoma State vs Arkansas Weather
