The Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Utah Utes meet up on Saturday for their first true college football conference game of 2024. Both teams come into Stillwater undefeated, and ready for a test.
Last week, the Cowboys had a game that was a walk in the park. Oklahoma State beat the Tulsa Hurricanes 45-10. The team needed an easy game after their close matchup against Arkansas. Oklahoma State’s upcoming schedule is a tough one, with highly ranked games against Utah and Kansas State back-to-back. Utah also comes in with a win under their belt against their in-state rival Utah State.
Oklahoma State vs. Utah History
Oklahoma State and and Utah have only played each other once. That was way back in 1945, when Oklahoma State, then Oklahoma A&M, won the game 46-6. Sure, this was a different time for football, so the two programs have come a long way since then. The two teams are fairly evenly matched throughout their history, both posting a win percentage rating at just above .500 for their all-time win record.
Since then, although they have not played each other often, the conferences do have a history. Since 2000, Oklahoma State is 15-4 against the Pac-12, including bowl games. Meanwhile, Utah is 6-3 against the Big 12 since 2000. This will be their first meeting against each other as both member of the Big 12.
Key Players for Oklahoma State
Quarterback Alan Bowman put on a clinic a week again against Tulsa. The seventh-year super super senior threw 24 for 31, 396 yards and five passing touchdowns. He did have an interception on the game as well. Because of his outstanding performance, he was named Walter Camp National Player of the Week. With the running game not performing as well as they should, Bowman will look to improve on those stats with a Utah defense that is giving up more than 370 yards per game.
Running back Ollie Gordon will need to step up, as well as the Cowboys offensive line. Gordon is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry, when a year ago he was averaging 6.1. The running back has not been able to find the necessary holes he needs to run the big plays he usually does.
The offensive line, while one of the oldest lines in all of college football, has not been able to properly block for any runner to find a lane. The offense has relied heavily on Bowman for the passing plays, but Oklahoma State will need to find a way to get Gordon involved early if they want to stay in this football game.
To complete the offense, the Cowboys have plenty of options at receiver. Former Washington State receiver De’Zhaun Stribling was Bowman’s favorite target a week ago. He hauled in seven receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns against Tulsa.
Of course Bowman has his other players, such as receivers Brennan Presley and Talyn Shettron, who both caught touchdowns. Or he has Rashod Owens as the big man target in the end zone. Or even true freshman tight end Josh Ford, who scored his first collegiate touchdown on Saturday.
All this to say if the Cowboys once again cannot rely on the running game, at least they have a plethora of talent on the receiving end to put this game in the bag.
Key Players for Utah
The big story line leading up to the game is of course about the health of quarterback Cam Rising. Rising left the game two weeks ago with a hand injury, and sat out a week again against Utah State.
All signs are currently pointing for Rising to start, which moved the betting lines in Utah’s favor over the week. Rising hasn’t been the epitome of health in recent years, but if he is healthy, he will be the biggest threat for this Oklahoma State defense.
Rising, back in 2022 when he was healthy, threw for 3034 yards, 26 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He averaged 233 yards per game during that time.
The Utes rely heavily on their running game. And Oklahoma State defense tends to give up some big plays throughout the game. They will rely on senior Micah Bernard, who ran for 123 yards and a touchdown against Utah State. Their second go-to option at running back is Dijon Stanley.
Stanley is more of a change of pace back with a receiving option. So far on the year, he has caught 5 passes for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns. The sophomore back does a lot with how little he handles the ball.
Oklahoma State’s Blueprint for Victory
This will be the first real road test for Utah and another juggernaut of a football team to face for Oklahoma State.
The true test will be for the offensive line. With the depth and age of the line, they should have a handle on the run blocking scheme. The past three weeks they have been out of synch, but hopefully this week they will have it more together. The offense will need to utilize the running game and the passing game in order to keep the game close.
The defense has given up several big plays to the opposite team. They need to limit those explosive plays and keep pressuring the quarterback. The Oklahoma State defense has been giving up more than 500 yards per game to their opponent, with each play averaging six yards.
Currently, with Rising healthy enough to play on Saturday, Utah is currently favored by 1.5 points, according to Vegas sportsbooks. Everyone has been projecting a close game. Oklahoma State has been underrated all season and this is another case for that. With the uncertain health of Cam Rising, and Alan Bowman clicking with his elite receiving corps, the Cowboys win this one on a last minute defensive stand, 27-24.
Erika Brown
Erika Brown is a fantasy football writer for The League Winners. A journalism graduate from Oklahoma State University, she enjoys watching OkState football games and writing about college football.