The Oklahoma Sooners are looking to continue their string of solid performances after a bye week. Oklahoma routed its three non-conference opponents this year, but had some trouble in its first Big 12 game, getting pushed by Baylor. The Sooners have an 18-game winning streak against the Iowa State Cyclones and have won every game in the series since 2000 by at least double digits. Bob Stoops never lost to this Iowa State team, and that’s a tradition that Lincoln Riley wants to keep.
This matchup in Week 6 of the regular season will take place on Saturday, October 7, 2017, at 12 p.m. ET at OU Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. This game will be broadcast on FOX.
College Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Iowa State +26.5
Oklahoma -26.5
Odds Analysis
Iowa State is 2-2 this season, but 3-1 ATS. The Cyclones were a trendy pick to knock off Texas in Ames last Thursday night, but Jacob Park threw three interceptions and the running game was only able to run for 10 yards against this defense. That led Iowa State to lose and not cover for the first time all season.
The Sooners are undefeated, but 3-1 ATS with that one loss being in its first conference game as well. Oklahoma made short work of Tulane and UTEP in its non-conference schedule, and dismantled Ohio State on the road too. Baylor was able to hang with them due to defensive lapses though.
Coaching Angle
Riley was the obvious choice to replace Stoops after he abruptly decided to quit this offseason. The young, smart offensive coordinator had helped rejuvenate the offense and was popular among the players and the fans.
There were many people who doubted giving him a job so soon, but those critics have had to stay quiet because he has been great so far. The offense’s performance against Ohio State bought him a lot of credit with the fanbase and he has been sure to nurture that to make him seem like a natural fit.
Oklahoma is going to be a juggernaut on offense for as long as he is around. The Sooners lost all of their skill position players, save Baker Mayfield, to the NFL last offseason, but this team continues to be dominant.
Player to Watch
Mayfield is the Heisman Trophy frontrunner right now, so he is definitely someone to highlight in every game. He has been able to spread the field and find new targets in Riley’s offense and has looked sensational all year long.
This team has a swagger when he is on the field too, but sometimes that fires the opposition up. Before the game against Baylor, he told some of their players that Oklahoma was going to make sure that Baylor knew who its daddy was and that lit a fire under the Bears.
Despite that, there might not be a quarterback that you would rather have run your offense at the collegiate level. He is very talented and not afraid to take off and run when he needs to.
Free ATS Pick
Oklahoma is coming off of a bye week and will have had more time to rest than Iowa State. The Cyclones have been hit or miss on defense depending on the week and don’t have near the talent that Oklahoma does.
However, Matt Campbell is a solid coach and has had the Cyclones playing good ball this season. They have been competitive in every game they have played and there is no worry of a look ahead with Kansas next on the docket.
The Sooners will cruise to a victory, but the spread is a little high. The game is in Norman, but a noon start will mean lackluster attendance and fan support in the first half. That will be just what Iowa State needs to cover.
College Football Odds: Oklahoma 42, Iowa State 21
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