Break out the mirror for the week 4 Oklahoma State at Iowa State betting matchup because this game features two teams in a very similar situation. This is the Big 12 opener for both schools, with each coming off atrocious offensive performances in non-conference losses last Saturday.
The Cowboys fell 33-7 at home to USA in week 3 as -7 point favorites while ISU dropped a 10-7 contest at Ohio with a line of Cyclones -1 in what looked like an obvious trap game. Oddsmakers had their hands full setting a line for this week’s meeting, but are going with ISU -3.5 mostly due to home field advantage in this toss-up game.
Why Oklahoma State Has Value at +3.5
The Cowboys offense didn’t look great last week, but the good news is that you don’t need much when going up against an ISU club that has put up 20 total points the last two games, and is the 10th lowest scoring in the country at just 10.0 ppg. ISU is also 11th worst in rush yards/game at a mere 62.5 per.
OSU was embarrassed at home by South Alabama last Saturday in the 33-7 defeat, but the Cowboys have picked up a victory in their only road tilt so far this year toppling Arizona State 27-15 in week two to cover the -2.5.
There are a lot of unknowns in the week 4 Oklahoma State at Iowa State betting matchup, but one reason to take the points is because these two Big 12 opponents usually play each other pretty close. The 37-20 OK State win in 2014 was the last OSU vs. ISU contest to be decided by more than a score.
Why Iowa State Has Value at -3.5
Sure Iowa State has only put up 20 points total the last two weeks, but Oklahoma State didn’t put anything on film in their 33-7 los to South Alabama that would require any extra game planning. The Cowboys ran for just 94 yards on 29 attempts and a mere 113 yards on 31 carries in their victory over Arizona State.
Oklahoma State runs a three QB system, which has proven hard for them to get into rhythm on that side of the ball. The good thing for the Cyclones is that the OSU defense didn’t look very good last weekend either with USA getting 243 yards rushing.
Iowa State’s offense looked bad the last two weeks, but one of those games was against the in-state rival Hawkeyes who are allowing just 12.3 ppg while Ohio has a very underrated defense as well. The Cyclones defense has also played well, a top 10 unit that gives up only 253.7 total yards/game.
Free Week 4 Oklahoma State at Iowa State Betting Pick
Both teams have their fair share of issues, but two major things are working for Iowa State in this one – a better defense and home field advantage. That being said, this has just been a bad head-to-head matchup for ISU over the years as they’ve lost 8 of the last 10 to the Cowboys, including four of the last five in Ames.
Free Pick: Oklahoma State +3.5
