Central Michigan vs. #12 Oklahoma State Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Spencer Sanders Carry Cowboys Again?

Central Michigan vs. #12 Oklahoma State Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Spencer Sanders Carry Cowboys Again?

We got a small taste of college football this past Saturday with the sport’s 11-game week zero schedule. Now it’s time to dive into the deep end as week one rolls around and the rest of the country’s programs get underway. Below you can find everything that you need to prepare for Thursday’s matchup in Stillwater between the Central Michigan Chippewas and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Come check out my pick, predictions, and odds for this contest.

Central Michigan vs. Oklahoma State Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

When: September 1

Time: 7:00 PM EDT

Where: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK

Where to Watch: FS1

Point Spread: Oklahoma State -21

Point Total: 60 

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Central Michigan vs. Oklahoma State Line Movement

Central Michigan vs. Oklahoma State Prediction

Jim McElwain and the visiting Chippewas look to build off of a 9-4 record in 2021 as they open up the new campaign in hostile territory. Daniel Richardson will be under center this year and he’s coming off of a season where he amassed 2,633 yards and a 24/6 TD/INT ratio. Alongside Richardson will be Lew Nichols, who rushed for 1,848 yards on 341 carries (5.4 YPC) last year and hauled in 40 balls for an additional 338 yards and a pair of touchdowns. 

Other than those two playmakers, there was a lot of turnover with this Central Michigan roster over the offseason. Their two tackles and a receiver are off to the NFL while the defense was ravaged by the transfer portal. 

As for Mike Gundy and OK State, they had a very successful 2021 season, finishing with a 12-2 record and a Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame. Senior quarterback Spencer Sanders will take the snaps again this season and he has his eyes set on a Big 12 title after dropping last year’s Championship game to Baylor. Sanders threw for 2,839 yards last season with 20 touchdowns and 12 picks. Sanders is also a threat on the ground as he added 668 yards in 2021 and has 1,565 yards in his career.

Similar to Central Michigan, there was quite a bit of turnover on the defensive side of the ball. That includes D-Coordinator Jim Knowles, who departed for Ohio State and will take over their defense. 

Central Michigan vs. Oklahoma Pick

I’ll be riding with the Cowboys this game and laying the 21 points(-110 via BetRivers). In these early-season contests, it’s all about experience as teams look to iron out wrinkles in their play. I feel confident backing Oklahoma State with Spencer Sanders at the helm. He already has chemistry with Brennan Presley (50 receptions, 619 yards, 5 TDs in 2021) and this offense should hit the ground running.

I don’t know that the Chippewas will be able to keep up on the scoreboard as they will be without key pieces all over their offense in 2022. Of course, they’ll return their quarterback and running back; but, they’re replacing both offensive tackles and will feature some new faces outside at receiver. Overall, I’m confident in Central Michigan competing in the MAC, but I expect it to take a week or two before their offense returns to the dominant form of 2021. Let’s go with the Cowboys here. 

• Oklahoma State -21 (-110) (Bet $110 to win $100)

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