Oklahoma, Sitting 9th in CFP Rankings, Need Statement Win Over Iowa State in Week 11; OU Currently Favored by 14.5

• #9 Oklahoma (7-1) hosts Iowa State (5-3) Saturday night on FOX
• The Sooners are ranked in the top 10 despite a 48-41 loss to Kansas State before their bye week
• Iowa State has 3 losses but all were to ranked teams (Iowa, Baylor & Oklahoma State) by tight scores

In the first ever College Football Playoff rankings in 2014, the Ohio State Buckeyes were ranked 16th. They of course went on to win the national championship, and that is definitely a story Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley has been repeating to his team.

Oklahoma is ranked #9 in the first CFP rankings of the season thanks to a 48-41 loss to Kansas State in their last game. Can they rebound to make the playoff?

The road back to contention starts this week, as they’re laying 14.5 at home to the Cyclones in the Oklahoma vs Iowa State odds.

Iowa State vs #9 Oklahoma Odds

All odds taken Nov 6th

The Sooners have no margin for error the rest of the way, as their latest Four-Team Playoff odds have them behind Clemson, Alabama, LSU and Ohio State.

Iowa State Has Three Quality Losses

The Cyclones are outside the initial rankings thanks to three losses, but don’t let that fool you, this is a competitive football team.

Each of those losses came to a team currently ranked by the CFP committee. They lost by one point to 18th ranked Iowa, by two points to 12th ranked Baylor and by seven to 23rd ranked Oklahoma State.

If this team was capable of hanging with those programs, what makes you believe the Sooners will win this game by more than two touchdowns?

Crazy take here from Jalen Hurtspic.twitter.com/IsvxYW4hfd

— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) November 4, 2019

Brock Purdy Will Score on Sooner Defense

Brock Purdy is more than capable of moving the chains and getting the ball into the end zone. He’s completing 68.5% of his passes this year for 15 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. In addition to those 15 scores through the air, Purdy has also run for 6 touchdowns which is 2nd best on the team.

Oklahoma has proven incapable of getting off the field on defense. Allowing 48 points to Kansas State wasn’t out of the norm, it is the norm. They allowed 31 points to Houston in the season opener and 27 to Texas just a few games ago. Despite very little of substance on their schedule to date, the defensive issues have been prevalent. They rank 42nd in defensive efficiency and one bye week won’t be enough time to fix the issues.

Jones, Milton & Kolar Should Soar

Two wide receivers and one tight end, that’s what the Oklahoma defense has to stop. Deshaunte Jones leads Iowa State with 586 receiving yards, Tarique Milton has 524 yards himself and tight end Charlie Kolar has five touchdowns to go along with 486 yards. Purdy loves to spread the ball around thanks to his talented receiving core.

We are ready to get back at it on Saturday. #ProveIt

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— Cyclone Football (@CycloneFB) November 6, 2019

If somehow the Sooners secondary manages to shut down all three options, look for RB Breece Hall to play a role. He has 475 yards and a team high seven touchdowns.

Three Options to Weigh Before Wagering

With the spread now sitting at more than two touchdowns, Jalen Hurts and the Sooners prolific offense will have to have a massive day to cover. Forget needing to impress the committee or playing angry after a loss, it’s just too big a spread.

Iowa State has proven capable of hanging with good programs and will in this one too.

Your options – the spread, the moneyline or both. I’m very confident in the first and love the +450 price tag enough on the second to make both wagers. If you miss on the money line, the spread will help hedge your bet. If you hit both, brag to your friends and thank me on twitter.

PICKS: Iowa State +14.5 (-105) and Iowa State ML (+450)