The Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Houston Cougars meet Saturday in college football action from TDECU Stadium. The Cowboys just finished up a road game versus UCF. In that one Oklahoma State dropped to 7-3 with a shocking blowout loss. As for Houston, they’re coming off a matchup versus Cincinnati. The 4-6 Cougars went on to lose by 10 points. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Oklahoma State Cowboys 

The Cowboys lost just two of their first nine games this year, averaging a nice 30.7 points per game during that time. Oklahoma State had 254.6 yards per game come from the pass, along with 11 scores and seven interceptions. The Cowboys were even better on the ground however, notching 180.2 yards per game, 5.4 yards per carry and 19 scores. 

In their last outing versus UCF, the Cowboys were hammered in the first half 24-0. Things didn’t get much better after the break on the way to a 45-3 blowout defeat. QB Alan Bowman finished with 225 yards and three interceptions. Ollie Gordon managed just 25 rush yards, and Rashod Owens caught six balls for 85 yards. 

Oklahoma State Cowboys Team Facts

• The underdog has won five of Oklahoma State’s last six games.
• The team ranked 24th in the AP Poll has failed to cover the spread in each of its last eight games.
• Oklahoma State has lost the first half in each of its last six road games against conference opponents.
• Each of Oklahoma State’s last eight road games in November have gone UNDER the total points line.

Houston Cougars 

Over on the Houston side, they managed to win just four of their first nine outings. The Cougars scored 25.2 points per game during that stretch, notching 19 touchdowns, seven interceptions and 263.1 yards per game from the pass. On the ground, Houston averaged 117.9 yards per game with nine touchdowns and 3.8 yards per attempt. 

Houston played Cincinnati last Saturday. In that one the Cougars trailed 17-7 going into the fourth quarter and ended up losing 24-14. Donovan Smith threw for 102 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in the defeat, while also leading the rush on 88 yards. Joseph Manjack caught both touchdowns among four catches for 22 yards. 

Houston Cougars Team Facts

• Houston has lost 11 of its last 12 games against AP-ranked teams.
• The underdog has covered the spread in 10 of Houston’s last 12 games at TDECU Stadium.
• Houston has lost the first half in three of its last four games against conference opponents.
• Each of Houston’s last four games against conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Houston has recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of three points or less of any FBS team this season (2).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to stick with Oklahoma State. The Cowboys certainly have their work cut out for them after Saturday’s embarrassing blowout loss to a sub-.500 UCF team. OK State finished with just 277 total yards (52 rushing), four turnovers, 15 first downs and an ugly 2-of-12 rate on third-down tries. Defensively the team gave up 592 yards (299 passing) and 34:45 in time of possession during the Cowboys’ worst performance in recent memory. This is a resilient team with a lot of talent however, and I think OK State can bounce back. 

As for Houston, they posted a rough offensive outing versus Cincinnati with 241 yards (102 passing), 12 first downs and three picks. That makes 14 or fewer points in two of the last three games for the Cougars, and it’s not going to get any easier against an angry Oklahoma State team.