Week 9's Saturday action kicks off with a Big 12 matchup between the Oklahoma Sooners and Iowa State Cyclones.
Oklahoma snapped a three-game losing streak by defeating No. 19 Kansas, while Iowa State is trying to shake a four-game losing streak.
Can the Cyclones snap their losing skid? Find out in our free best college football picks and predictions for Oklahoma vs. Iowa State below.
Oklahoma vs Iowa State best odds
Oklahoma vs Iowa State picks and predictions
Iowa State is a short home underdog but I think they're the best play in this contest.
The Cyclones' defense is the best part of this team, allowing the sixth-fewest points in the country and an eighth-best 284 total yards of offense per contest.
Iowa State doesn’t have the sexy individual defensive numbers, but they play exceptionally well as a unit. They boast four players with over 34 tackles each, and opposing offenses have difficulty running the football.
Passing isn’t any easier, as the Cyclones allow a 32nd-best 11.63 passing yards per play. The Sooners' offense moves the football and hasn’t scored less than 31 points in any game when junior QB Dillon Gabriel plays all four quarters.
The junior signal-caller threw for 403 yards with a pair of TDs and his first interception of the year in last week's win over No. 19 Kansas. Wideout Marvin Mimms and tight end Brayden Willis have combined for 854 yards with eight TDs with Eric Gray adding 695 yards and five scores on the ground.
The Cyclones should get enough stops, but it will be up to the Iowa State offense and sophomore QB Hunter Dekkers to get the job done on Saturday.
Dekkers is coming off the best game of his career, throwing for 329 yards with a pair of TDs alongside his seventh miscue of the season in ISU's last game — a loss — to No. 22 Texas. With wideouts Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel, he has great receiving options in a steadily improving offense. They'll have an excellent opportunity against a defense they can beat.
The Sooners' defense is their Achilles heel. They’ve allowed a 108th-best 442 yards of offense and surrendered at least 42 points in their past four contests. Oklahoma has a decent pass rush and has picked off six balls, but they can’t keep opponents out of the end zone.
Iowa State has lost to three Top-25 teams by a combined total of 11 points and has an excellent opportunity Saturday, but it all begins with the defense. The Cyclones might allow teams to move the ball but is stingy in points allowed, and if they can keep the Sooners and Gabriel from going off early, they’ll give their offense a chance to win this game.
The Cyclones' offense is steadily improving and probably facing the worst defensive Big 12 unit they’ve seen. The Cyclones' scoring inabilities have cost them games, but they are playing at home against a soft defense they can score multiple TDs against with a defense that can slow the Sooners down just enough to outscore them. I’m going with Iowa State to win outright.
My best bet: Iowa State moneyline (+105 at FanDuel)
Looking to bet on some college football action? Here are two of the best bonuses* available:
A) New users at FanDuel can get a no-sweat first bet of up to $1,000! Sign Up Now
B) New users at DraftKings can bet $5 and get $200 in free bets! Sign Up Now
*Eligible USA locations only. Also, check out our full list of College football promo codes for 2022.
Oklahoma vs Iowa State spread analysis
I like the moneyline the most in this game, but I'd also consider Iowa State +1.5 as my best bet. Here are some additional notes to keep in mind.
Oklahoma brings its No. 15-ranked rushing offense vs. Iowa State's 17th-ranked rushing defense.
Oklahoma RBs have carried the ball a nation-best 54 times in close and late situations they face — while Iowa State has 19 passing first downs during those same circumstances.
The Sooners average 3.1 TD/FGs red-zone scores per contest — the Cyclones are 10th with 2.1 TD/FGs allowed. Oklahoma allows an 81st-best 3.2 red zone TD/FGs 2.7 TD/FGs per red zone visit.
The Sooners are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven meetings.
Oklahoma vs Iowa State Over/Under analysis
The number has opened at 55 but has settled at 56 points — and I’m leaning towards the Over.
It would take a Herculean effort for the Cyclones to limit the Sooners to 15.1 points. It's possible, considering how they’ve limited Kansas, Kansas State, and Texas to a combined 48 points, but it isn’t likely. Oklahoma has a big-time offense, and this contest could quickly end up in a shootout.
As previously mentioned, the Sooners' defense isn’t very good, while the Cyclones' offense has steadily improved. Oklahoma allows a 326.0 red zone passer rating, the worst mark in all of college football. Dekker is completing 69% of his passing attempts this season, and he could do serious damage to Oklahoma.
Oklahoma averages 14.0 second-half points per contest, facing an Iowa State defense allowing 5.7. Meanwhile, the Sooners allow 11.9 points in the second half facing a Cyclones offense scoring 8.3 points in the bottom half of the game.
The Over is 8-3 over their last 11 meetings and 4-2 over their previous six matchups.
Oklahoma vs Iowa State betting trend to know
The underdog is 5-2 ATS in their last seven meetings. Find more NCAA betting trends for Oklahoma vs. Iowa State.
Oklahoma vs Iowa State game info
| Location: | Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA |
| Date: | Saturday, October 29, 2022 |
| Kickoff: | 12:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FS1 |
Oklahoma vs Iowa State latest injuries
Oklahoma vs Iowa State weather
Monitor gametime conditions with our College football weather info.
