2014
Oklahoma State
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
Oklahoma State is coming off a 10-win season, yet has hampered expectations going into 2014. With only 10 returning starters on offense and defense, the Cowboys have multiple areas with question marks. Their fate may be in the hands of quarterback J.W. Walsh.
Walsh’s numbers haven’t been bad over the last two years, but injuries derailed any chance of him becoming the solo starter back then. Now, he doesn’t have much competition and is the starter unless the season goes terribly awry. Walsh has a solid arm, but can also move on the ground, although the coaches may want to limit that to preserve him for the full season. His receivers will be young and inexperienced with Jhajuan Seales and Marcell Ateman the top options, both sophomores. Freshman speedster Tyreek Hill is expected to be a part in this offense, whether as a receiver or out of the backfield.
Desmond Roland will take over as the starting running back after totaling 12 touchdowns in the final eight Games last season. Unfortunately, the offensive line is also fairly fresh with only two returning starters and the incoming guys not really having any Game action.
The defense isn’t in much of a better situation with only Four starters back. A lot of the pressure is on DT James Castleman to replace Calvin Barnett. If he doesn’t do the job, this defense may be in trouble. The back seven has zero seniors so leadership may be an issue as well.
Basically, the Cowboys had one of their best defenses in recent seasons last year, but they lost all of their studs and it’s up to the secondary guys in that squad to fill in and become the main guys. That includes Castleman on the line, Ryan Simmons at linebacker and cornerback Kevin Peterson.
It doesn’t help that OK State’s first test of the season is National Champion Florida State. Due to the defenses inexperience, this could be an ugly Game for the Cowboys.
Oklahoma State will be hard pressed to fight for the Big 12 title again, especially with Kansas State, Baylor and Oklahoma all on the road. That could easily be three losses, which means home Games against Texas Tech and Texas need to be wins.
Walsh is going to have a lot of pressure at the quarterback spot, and if the defense does take a major step back, expect plenty of shootouts. The Cowboys will be looking more at the eight- or nine-win range instead of the 10 from last year.
Several Game lines for Oklahoma State Games have already been posted at 5 dimes sportsbook. For example they are -6.5 favorites over Texas Tech, -18.5 point favs over West Virginia and +3,5 point dogs at Kansas State. To look at all the futures lines for all the teams just open an account at 5 dimes!
2014 Oklahoma State Football Schedule
Aug. 30 vs. Florida State (in Arlington)
Sept. 6 vs. Missouri State
Sept. 13 vs. UTSA
Sept. 25 vs. Texas Tech
Oct. 4 vs. Iowa State
Oct. 11 at Kansas
Oct. 18 at TCU
Oct. 25 vs. West Virginia
Nov. 1 at Kansas State
Nov. 15 vs. Texas
Nov. 22 at Baylor
Dec. 6 at Oklahoma