Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Tulsa Golden Hurricane Picks and Predictions September 19th 2025

Game Context And Rivalry History

The Oklahoma State Cowboys return to action Friday after their worst defeat in over a century, a 69-3 loss to Oregon. It was their heaviest setback since 1907 and the lowest point in Mike Gundy’s 21-year tenure. Now, with an open week behind them, they look to reset against in-state rival Tulsa in the 78th edition of the Turnpike Classic.

The Cowboys (1-1) have dominated this rivalry, winning 10 straight matchups, including a 45-10 victory last season. More impressively, Oklahoma State has beaten Tulsa 23 consecutive times in Stillwater, with the Golden Hurricane’s last road win dating back to 1951. For broader matchup history and team breakdowns, check out NCAAF Teams.

Oklahoma State’s Bounce-Back Mission

Oklahoma State’s open week came at the perfect time. Gundy admitted his team “tried to do too much” against Oregon and has since emphasized simplifying schemes and focusing on execution. A big part of that will be nurturing young quarterback Zane Flores, who struggled mightily in Eugene, completing just 7 of 19 passes with two interceptions returned for touchdowns.

Gundy insists patience is the key, saying “there’s no fast-forward button” when it comes to developing a young quarterback. For bettors evaluating Flores’ progression and the Cowboys’ offensive approach, College Football Picks offers detailed previews and predictions on upcoming games.

The Cowboys’ defense also needs a major response after giving up 69 points. With Big 12 play looming, this game represents more than just a rivalry — it’s about proving the program still has stability after a historic low.

Tulsa’s Offensive Questions

Tulsa (1-2) enters with its own problems. The Golden Hurricane fell 42-23 to Navy last week, their second straight loss after a season-opening win against Abilene Christian. Quarterback play is unsettled as coach Tre Lamb admitted he has “no clue” who will start between Baylor Hayes and Kirk Francis, both of whom are splitting reps in practice.

The offense has lacked explosive plays, something Lamb identified as the biggest concern. “We’ve got to find some playmakers quickly, or it’s going to be a long season,” he said. Tulsa will need chunk plays to keep pace with Oklahoma State, especially in Stillwater where they haven’t won in over 70 years. You can review odds and live line movement for this matchup at NCAAF Scores and Odds.

Betting Angle And Analysis

Oklahoma State is heavily favored, not only because of history but because of talent depth on both sides of the ball. Even after their meltdown at Oregon, the Cowboys’ defense should rebound against a Tulsa team struggling for offensive identity. Meanwhile, Flores has a chance to settle in against a less daunting defense, making this the perfect tune-up before the Big 12 slate begins.

For bettors seeking to understand the spread dynamics and evaluate the Cowboys’ ability to cover, the NFL Expert Betting Guide provides strategic insights that apply across football markets, including college matchups.

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Final Prediction

Oklahoma State’s defense tightens up, and Flores shows enough progress to keep the offense on schedule. Tulsa’s lack of offensive explosiveness and uncertainty at quarterback should make it difficult to keep the game competitive for long.

Predicted Score: Oklahoma State 34 – Tulsa 13

The Cowboys cover the spread comfortably at home, and the total points lean toward the under given Tulsa’s scoring limitations.