Iowa State Cyclones (2-2 SU, 3-1 ATS) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS)
College Football Week 6
Date/Time: Saturday, October 7th, 2017 12:00 PM ET
Where: Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Norman, OK
TV: FOX
by KEITH, NCAA Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: OU -28
Over/Under Total: 68.5
The Oklahoma Sooners will continue their Big 12 campaign when they host the Iowa State Cyclones at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Oklahoma. The two squads enter on differing notes. For Iowa State, they come in on a 17-7 loss against Oklahomas arch nemesis Texas on a Thursday night primetime event in Ames. Oklahoma has enjoyed an idle week to prepare for this contest after securing their fourth win this season against Baylor. The win against Baylor was not an easy one to come by. The Sooners were forced to rally against a Bears team that were spotted over four touchdowns in Waco. The seemingly dead BU offense resurrected to give the Sooners all kinds of trouble. The contest will take place at noon and is set to be aired for national audiences on FOX. The most recent meeting in Iowa City in 2016 was a closer than bargained for as the Sooners would defeat the Cyclones by a score of 34-24, despite the Sooner Schooner closing as a three-touchdown favorite. In series history, the Cyclones have defeated the Sooners just five times dating all the way back to 1928. In the recent trends, the Sooners have won the last 18 contests against Iowa State.
The Sooners have not lost a stride in exerting their will, this year. Heisman candidate Baker Mayfield has looked brilliant and any absences left by key playmakers moving on seem to be irrelevant. The coaching work of Head Coach Lincoln Riley has been impeccable. Riley has steered this team to prominence as they have achieved a top-three ranking on the heels of an impressive road win at Ohio State. The Sooners would march into Columbus and achieve one of the most impressive wins on the year, when the final read 31-16. This result achieved in early September is still leaving ripples across college football. Oklahoma also owns wins over UTEP and Tulane to round off their 2017 endeavors.
For Iowa State, their High Water Mark this season seems to be their epic battle with cross-state rival Iowa. Overtime would be required to declare a winner but Iowa would win by a field goal. State held an 11-point lead at one point in the game before the Hawkeyes would resurge and force extra time. The Cyclones are expected to be bowl relevant in 2017 and are eager to see progressive gains in their football operations. It is without question, the Clones are a much improved football team compared to recent editions.
With this being considered, Iowa State bodes tremendous value in this situation against a name brand team like Oklahoma. As we have covered previously, the Sooners impose premiums on those that wish to book them. The hype surrounding the Sooners and their undefeated mark will continue to proliferate inflated numbers for those wishing to lay points with them. By no means are we suggesting that Iowa State will orchestrate an upset in Norman. However, there is more than adequate breathing room for the Cyclones to come in under the number. If one thing can be deduced from Oklahomas cardiac win against Baylor, its a format to expose and take advantage of holes in their defense.
Baylor was 0-5 on the year and entered their contest against Oklahoma with nothing to lose. Though Iowa State has looked better than the Bears and performed better, the Cyclones will also approach this contest with such an attitude. Oklahoma has everything to lose be that they are regarded across the board as a College Football Playoff contender. Iowa State is anticipated to lose six games. With this being said, contests against Big 12 powers are something that the Clones will take serious be that they are hoping to revamp and revitalize their brand. Even if Oklahoma has their way here, there is a very good chance that OU can fail to cover by virtue of a backdoor cover. Iowa States offense is potent enough to generate a few junk time scores to cover even if Oklahoma has this affair well in the bag.
KEITHs Pick to Cover the Point Spread: IOWA STATE +28. Move the line on this game up to 20 points by inserting it into a 20 point football teaser at the web’s best sportsbook: 5dimes!