This Friday night, we have ourselves a marquee edition of the Big 12 After Dark. The Oklahoma State Cowboys travel to take on the 13th-ranked BYU Cougars at 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Cougars' undefeated start is a surprise, but it's the quality of their victories that's allowed them to climb high in the rankings. They're first in the Big 12 and have a real shot at winning it, as their upcoming opposition hasn't played to expectations.
The Cowboys are one of those Big 12 teams that's failed to meet expectations. They come into this matchup on a three-game losing streak, all coming against conference foes.
BYU is favored by 9.5 points on the spread with a total of 52.5.
Here's my Oklahoma State vs BYU predictions and my college football picks for Friday.
Oklahoma State vs BYU Prediction
- Oklahoma State vs BYU Pick: Under 52.5
My Oklahoma State vs BYU best bet is on the under, with the best line currently available at BetMGM, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Oklahoma State vs BYU Odds
| Oklahoma State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+9.5 -110 | 52.5 -110 / -110 | +275 |
| BYU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-9.5 -110 | 52.5 -110 / -110 | -350 |
- Oklahoma State vs BYU Point Spread: Oklahoma State +9.5 (-110) · BYU -9.5 (-110)
- Oklahoma State vs BYU Total: Over/Under 52.5
- Oklahoma State vs BYU Moneyline: Oklahoma State +275 · BYU -350
Oklahoma State vs BYU Preview
Oklahoma State Cowboys Betting Preview: Cowboys in No Man's Land
Oklahoma State came into this season with real Big 12 title aspirations, as the departures of Texas and Oklahoma opened up the conference. It was supposed to be spurred by Ollie Gordon II, who was coming off a monster season and was a Heisman candidate.
Well, six games into the season, and none of that has come to fruition.
The Cowboys have looked non-competitive in the Big 12, and Gordon has struggled to get going, only averaging 3.8 yards per carry this season.
A big reason for Gordon's struggles is the play of the offensive line. Oklahoma State ranks 113th in Offensive Line Yards and 131st in Rush Success Rate.
This has led to the offense falling onto quarterback Alan Bowman's arm. While Bowman has shown his big arm, it will be Garret Rangel taking over under center.
If Gordon can't get going, the Cowboys' offense may struggle against the Cougars' elite secondary.
BYU Cougars Betting Preview: Methodical Drives Are Key
While the Cougars' defense has stifled their opposition, they've shown that they can move the ball in multiple facets on offense.
It all starts with quarterback Jake Retzlaff.
Retzlaff has been tremendous through the air. He completes 60% of his passes while holding a 14-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Retzlaff should be able to connect with his duo of receivers — Chase Roberts and Darius Lassiter — for chunk gains, as the Cowboys rank 99th in yards per pass allowed and 78th in sack rate.
However, the Cougars won't have to stretch the field much, as they can control this game on the ground. Just like on the outside, BYU will feature a pair of excellent running backs who should keep the chains moving with ease.
Oklahoma State ranks 119th in yards per rush allowed and will be outranked 68 to 111th in Line Yards on this side of the ball.
Look for BYU to put together multiple methodical drives in this one.
Oklahoma State vs BYU
Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Oklahoma State and BYU match up statistically:
Oklahoma State Offense vs. BYU Defense
 |  Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 131 | 49 | |
| Line Yards | 113 | 69 | |
| Pass Success | 60 | 10 | |
| Havoc | 16 | 48 | |
| Finishing Drives | 82 | 39 | |
| Quality Drives | 117 | 26 | |
BYU Offense vs. Oklahoma State Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 80 | 78 |  |
| Line Yards | 68 | 111 | |
| Pass Success | 54 | 75 | |
| Havoc | 37 | 82 | |
| Finishing Drives | 70 | 9 | |
| Quality Drives | 58 | 83 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 102 | 48 |
| PFF Coverage | 93 | 54 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 58 | 48 |
| Middle 8 | 99 | 6 |
| Seconds per Play | 22.2 (5) | 29.4 (115) |
| Rush Rate | 41% (123) | 52% (62) |
Oklahoma State vs BYU Pick & Prediction
This total opened at 55.5 and has since fallen three points. While that's a big move, there's still value in taking the under.
Oklahoma State won't have much going on offense in this one, as BYU has shown it can contain a better passing attack than Oklahoma State.
Additionally, the Cowboys are likely to be dominated in the time of possession in this matchup, as they have no real way of slowing down the Cougars' rushing attack.
That combination will shorten this game, limit both sides' scoring opportunities and keep it under the total.
Pick: Under 52.5 (Play to 51.5)
Oklahoma State vs BYU Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | LaVell Edwards Stadium |
| Date: | Friday, Oct. 18 |
| Kickoff Time: | 10:15 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN |
Oklahoma State takes on BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Friday, October, 18 at 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Oklahoma State vs BYU Betting Trends
- 90% of the money and 51% of the bets are on BYU to cover the spread against Oklahoma State.
- 75% of the bets and 57% of the money is on the over.
