The BIG-12 clashes with the ACC in a week three non-conference game in the Steel City when the (8) Oklahoma State Cowboys play the Pittsburgh Panthers Saturday afternoon. The grudge match will go down on Saturday, September 16th at 12:00 p.m. EST and can be seen on the ESPN2 Network. As of now, the Cowboys are 14 point favorites. That line is up four points since it was introduced early on Monday. Also, the game’s over/under has been placed at 68.
The Cowboys remained unbeaten as they manhandled South Alabama 44-7 on the road last Friday night. Quarterback Mason Rudolph and wide receiver James Washington found little to no resistance against an under-manned Jaguars defense.
The Pittsburgh Panthers dropped back to the .500 mark after they went down 33-14 on the road by the ninth ranked Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday. The last time these two programs faced-off, the Cowboys won in a shoot-out 45-38 on September 17, 2016.
(8) Oklahoma State Cowboys (2-0)
Let’s face it, the Cowboys haven’t been seriously threatened yet this season, winning their first two games by a combined score of 103-31. Furthermore, Oklahoma State was up 17-0 after one quarter, then 37-0 after third.
In fact, the Cowboys didn’t give up a touchdown until less than five minutes remained in the contest. Also, Oklahoma State had a commanding 505-175 advantage in total yards and a 29-12 edge in first downs in the contest.
The Cowboys enter this contest ranked 18th in the nation putting up 325 yards per game through the air and 22nd with 247.5 yards a contest on the ground. Now that my friends is a balanced team. Also, Oklahoma State is 10th in the nation in scoring offense with 51.5 points per game.
Like the two previous weeks before, Mason Rudolph was the best player on the gridiron when the Cowboys faced-off against South Alabama. In that contest, Rudolph completed 45 of his 62 passes for 638 yards. As a result, he has completed 25 of 38 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns. He also scrambled for 18 yards and another trip to pay-dirt.
Running backs . Justice Hill and La’Darren Brown were at it again. Together, the two combined for almost 200 yards rushing against the Jaguars. Hill toted the rock 26 times for 159 yards and a score. Brown wasn’t far behind, rushing for another 130 yards and a trip to the promised land.
Wide out Marcell Ateman refuses to let fellow receiver James Washington steal the spot light. Ateman has caught a team high nine catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. Washington made the most of his two catches, going for 98 yards and another score, while tail back Justice Hill reeled in four more for 46. Apparently, nobody is getting the memo on the fact that Mason Rudolph looks down the field early and often against opposing defenses.
The Cowboy defense has been lights out too, ranking 31st in scoring defense as they surrender only 15.5 points a game. They had no problem stopping the Jaguars anemic offense on Friday. Pittsburgh will give them a better battle than South Alabama did, playing at home in this match-up.
Pittsburgh Panthers (1-1)
The Panthers failed miserably in their first contest against a top ten team, this time they’ll get to try their luck at home. Against the Nittany Lions, the Panthers fell down 14-0 after the opening quarter and never got to within single digits again. In fact, their lone touchdown came with just over 10 minutes to play after trailing 28-6.
However, the is room for optimism because Pittsburgh actually out-gained Penn State 342-312. They also won the first down battle 24-14 and held the ball for 38:20 to Penn State’s 21:40. Realistically, the problem for the Panthers was hanging on to the ball. Pittsburgh turned it over three times leading to a score and also gave up a safety.
In the loss to Penn State, quarterback Max Browne struggled. The starting rifleman only tossed for 138 yards and was picked off twice. Both interceptions were costly, costing the Panthers drives deep into Penn State territory. He has to do better if they have any chance to keep up with the Cowboys’ offense.
Running back Qadree Ollison is Pittsburgh’s leading ground gainer. Over the course of the first two weeks, Wilson has collected 187 yards on 37 carries and two scores. Against Penn State, he rumbled for 96 yards on 15 carries with no points to show for his work. Quadree Henderson is next with 11 carries for 72 yards.
The Panthers are just 105th in the FBS in passing offense with 163.5 yards per game, while they are 59th with 181.5 rushing yards per contest. Wide receiver Jester Weah has had to do it all by himself in 2017. All totaled, Weah has reeled in seven balls for 76 yards and a score. Unfortunately, Pittsburgh’s second leading receiver is tail back Qadree Ollison.
The Panthers are 103rd in scoring offense with 21 points a night and tied for 77th in scoring defense as they give up 27 points per game. The numbers look worse defensively than they really are.
The Pitt defense has been left out on the field for way too many snaps this season. Any way you cut it, they are 80th against the pass and that better improve this weekend or they will be down and out to the Cowboy’s high-octane passing attack.
Prediction
To some, this game seems like a no-brainer. Oklahoma State has been lights-out and the Panthers barely beat FCS Youngstown State. Oh I see why, the Cowboys have dispatched of their two opponents with ease while Pittsburgh has looked lackluster offensively in both games. So, of course that will be the case again right?
As coach Corso says on Gameday, not so fast my friends. Yes, I do think Oklahoma State will win this one. Heck, they may have complete control going into the fourth quarter but I wouldn’t bet on it. This is college football and nobody is as good as you think they are and nobody is as bad as you think they are either.
Sin City had this at -10 when they posted it originally. Once again, the betting public is gauging this match-up by the eye test. As a result, it is up to -14 and climbing. No thanks. Instead, take the Panthers to get some offense going and score plenty of enough points to help the Cowboys blow past the total 68. For what it’s worth, I think Pittsburgh will play much better at home in this game on Saturday.
Trends
The Cowboys are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games.
The Cowboys are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games.
The Under is 4-0 in the Cowboys last 4 road games.
The Under is 4-1 in the Cowboys last 5 games overall.
The Panthers are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
The Panthers are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games on grass.
The Over is 11-3 in the Panthers last 14 games overall.
The Over is 10-3 in the Panthers last 13 games on grass.
