Oklahoma State vs Baylor Picks and Prediction – 10/26/2024

The Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-4, 0-4 in conference) visit the Baylor Bears (3-4, 1-3 in conference) in a Big 12 matchup. Both teams come off contrasting results, with Oklahoma State suffering a 38-35 loss to BYU, while Baylor notched a dominant 59-35 victory over Texas Tech. This game is crucial for both teams as they attempt to improve in the conference. Dominate the college scene with our College Football picks.

Oklahoma State’s offense has struggled with inconsistency. QB Alan Bowman has 1,738 passing yards with 13 touchdowns but has thrown 9 interceptions, an issue that could haunt the Cowboys in this game. RB Ollie Gordon II leads the ground attack with 491 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, but the offense as a whole has struggled, scoring just 23.4 points per game in conference play. The Cowboys have relied on WR De’Zhaun Stribling, who has 556 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns.

Defensively, Oklahoma State has been vulnerable, allowing 30 points per game. The secondary has had bright moments, with CB Korie Black recording 3 interceptions this season, but the Cowboys have struggled in pass defense, allowing key drives to continue. They’ve recorded just 12 sacks, putting little pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Baylor, coming off a blowout win over Texas Tech, has shown flashes of an effective offense. QB Sawyer Robertson has been solid with 1,319 passing yards and 14 touchdowns against just 3 interceptions. The Bears also rely on RB Bryson Washington, who has 302 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. The passing game leans heavily on WR Ja’Koby Cameron, who leads the team with 352 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. 

On defense, Baylor has struggled as well, giving up an average of 34 points per game in Big 12 play. LB Mike Jones leads the team with 59 tackles and 2 sacks, but the Bears have had issues containing both the run and the pass. With 14 sacks on the year, the pass rush has been inconsistent. If Baylor can maintain pressure on Bowman and limit Gordon in the run game, they should be able to control the Cowboys’ offense and dictate the pace of the game.

The Baylor Bears have the edge with a more balanced offense and home-field advantage. Oklahoma State's defensive issues and turnover-prone offense will likely struggle to keep up. Final Score Prediction: Baylor wins and covers 34-27.