The Oklahoma State Cowboys will host the Houston Cougars as part of the Week 7 college football slate. These pair of teams hold very different outlooks in the Big 12.
It has been an even matchup between these two teams historically. They have faced off 21 times, with each program producing 10 wins and a tie. They most recently faced off in 2023, with Oklahoma State winning 43-40 in a shootout.
Houston enters as a 14.5-point favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook and holds -650 odds on the moneyline. Oklahoma State holds +470 odds, with the game total set at 48.5 points.
This article will include a brief preview of both teams and a pick for the Week 7 matchup.
Houston vs. Oklahoma State prediction, preview
Houston Cougars
Houston is 4-1 record overall and 3-2 against the spread. The Cougars opened their season with four consecutive victories over Stephen F. Austin, Rice, Colorado and Oregon State. They fell short to Texas Tech last week, 35-11, picking up their first loss of the season.
Texas A&M transfer Conner Weigman is the starting quarterback, but he suffered a concussion during last week’s game. Zeon Chriss filled in, but threw for just 93 yards, one touchdown and one interception on a 6-of-16 completion rate. Weigman returned to practice and is on track to play against Oklahoma State. Weigman completed 59.3% of his pass attempts for 910 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 148 rushing yards and four scores.
Dean Connors headlines the rushing production with 80 carries for 355 yards and four touchdowns. Stacy Sneed has 120 rushing yards.
Houston has a widespread passing attack with Amare Thomas, Stephon Johnson Jr. and Tanner Koziol each pulling in at least 244 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Johnson leads the Big 12 with 26.1 yards per reception.
The Cougars average 27.2 points per game, which ranks 80th in the country, and produce 357 yards of total offense. They have a balanced attack with 199.2 of these yards coming through the air and 257.8 yards per game on the ground, with 1.4 touchdowns per game in each category. Defensively, they are allowing an average of 322.8 total yards of offense and 17.6 points per game, which ranks 29th among Division I programs. Before the Texas Tech game, they held every opponent to 24 points or fewer. Houston has 11 sacks and seven turnovers this season.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
It has been a nightmare start to the season for Oklahoma State. Not only are the Cowboys 1-4, but the loss to Tulsa was enough for the program to fire Mike Gundy. Doug Meacham has filled the interim head coach role, but is off to an 0-2 start. The Cowboys got the season started with a 27-7 win over UT Martin, but have dropped four consecutive games against Oregon, Tulsa, Baylor and Arizona. They are 1-4 against the spread this year.
Zane Flores is the starting quarterback, but he suffered a shoulder injury last week. Flores completed 9-of-20 passes for 47 yards and an interception before leaving the game. He is expected to miss this week. Wide receiver Sam Jackson V will be the starting quarterback this week. He’s completed 7-of-11 passes for 77 yards this season and was primarily a quarterback in his first three collegiate. seasons, albeit limited playing time.
Rodney Fields Jr. headlines the rushing attack with 213 yards, as well as 125 receiving yards, while Trent Howland has a team-high two rushing touchdowns to go with his 107 rushing yards. Shamar Rigby is the team’s leading wide receiver with 154 yards on the year. The team only has two passing touchdowns this season.
Oklahoma State ranks at or near the bottom in just about every noteworthy statistic. It ranks 131st out of 136 qualifying Division I teams in points scored at 16.4 points per contest, 122nd in total yards per game and 114th in passing offense. Defensively, the Cowboys are giving up 36.2 points per game, which ranks 130th, and are last in total offense allowed. Their pass defense is giving up 294.6 yards per game, which ranks 132nd, and they have forced just three turnovers this year.
Houston vs. Oklahoma State pick, best bet
Oklahoma State is in a rough spot, and it could get worse before it gets better. This is not the matchup for this to change. Houston is playing some high-level football and should get back in the win column this week.
The Cowboys have lost 11 consecutive conference games. Three of their four losses this season have also come by more than 14.5 points. Weigman should have success picking apart Oklahoma State’s secondary, and the Cowboys likely won’t be able to respond accordingly on offense.
Houston won its first three games by at least 16 points. With Oklahoma State’s troubles, it’s worth capitalizing on the 14.5-point spread. Don’t be shocked if this game gets out of control early.
