In arguably the best game on the card tonight and possibly the best college football game in the month of August, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane renews its long standing rivalry with the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. The series, which started in 1896 and was last played in 2011, currently stands at Oklahoma State 40-28-5. The series has been hotly contested over the years with the longest win streak by either team just five games. The Cowboys won the last
The Cowboys (-11.5) won the last meeting 59-33 in a game played noted for having been played in horrible inclement weather. The kickoff of the game was delayed until after midnight and didn’t finish until 3:35 AM. Both teams are loaded with Tulsa considered a favorite in the AAC and Oklahoma State considered a contender to win the Big 12 and also be a player in the National Championship mix.
This year’s matchup was very nearly the second time these teams have met over their long history with both teams in the AP Top 25. The first time was 1945 when the Cowboys were still known as Oklahoma A&M. This year, Oklahoma State is ranked No.1o in the first AP poll of 2017 with Tulsa an also ran but still receiving votes. The schools are just 70 miles apart and the series is currently referred to as the Bank of Oklahoma Turnpike Classic.
Tulsa has been an offensive juggernaut in its two years under Philip Montgomery. The offense is go-go-go and gets right up to the line and runs plays hoping to create mismatches. It’s worked to this point with the offense generating better than 500 yards-per-game in both years and last year the Canes scored 31 points or more in 12 of their 13 (Ohio State) game. Tulsa loses QB Dane Evans (3300+, 32 TDs), RB James Flanders (1681, 18 TDs), and WR Keenan Lucas (81, 1180, 12 TDs) … unprecedented attrition. That said, Tulsa will likely not miss a beat and continue to try and boat race people.
Oklahoma brings back better than what Tulsa lost. Mike Gundy did an amazing job getting everyone to come back knowing that they all would have been low round NFL draft picks. Quarterback Mason Randolph (4091, 64%, 28-4, LY) is a four-year starter that will shatter every Oklahoma State passing record by the time he is done. RB Justice Hill (1142, 5.5, 6 TDs) and WR James Washington (71, 1380, 19.4, 12 TDs) are also both back. Randolph is a major Heisman candidate that will pick up steam if he is able to guide the Cowboys over Oklahoma.
Both teams will be taking this game very seriously as both teams have challenging schedule to start the year. Tulsa has UL Lafayette on deck but then travels to Ohio to face MAC kingpin Toledo, followed by B2B home games versus the super options of New Mexico and Navy.
Okie State has road games against feisty South Alabama (victor over San Diego State the last two years) and Pitt (beat Clemson) on deck before facing TCU on this field in a game that will go a long way in determining the winner of the Big 12.
You’ve probably noticed that defense has not been mentioned much in this article at all. This matchup has shootout written all over it and Oklahona State could very well drop 50 on the Canes tonight. The Cowboys only return five stop unit starters and less than 54% of last years tackles so a regression can be expected from a defense that allowed 26.5 ppg. and 446 ypg. At a very reasonable 72, we’ll play the over and take our chances.