College Football Free Pick: Texas vs Oklahoma State

Saturday’s Week 9 lineup in college football features a Big 12 showdown when the Texas Longhorns visit the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

The current line on top sportsbooks has Texas favored by 3.5 points with the over/under at 62.

The Longhorns star quarterback Sam Ehlinger has been moved from questionable to probable on the Texas injury list after recovering from an October 13 sprained shoulder. If Ehlinger has any lingering effects from the shoulder injury, backup Shane Buechele will be prepared to step in.

Buechele passed for 184 yards one TD and one interception in the Longhorns’ 23-17 win over Baylor after taking over for Ehlinger. Buechele is no stranger to starting as the signal caller has 19 starts under his belt as a college quarterback.

However, Buechele does not have the dual-threat capabilities of Ehlinger, who has thrown for 1,534 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions and rushed for six TDs.

On defense, Charles Omenihu the Longhorns defensive end is the team leader in sacks with six, while safety Caden Sterns, a freshman, has a team high four interceptions on a defense that has held four opponents to 17 points or less.

Oklahoma State has lost three of its last four and has been hurt through inconsistency on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The Cowboys have had problems run blocking and pass protecting on the offense and defending the run and the deep pass on the defense.

Oklahoma State has averaged 39.4 points a game this season and Justice Hill is a big reason for that with 684 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. The Cowboys running back has 100 or more yards rushing in 15 of his last 24 games played.

Cowboys quarterback Taylor Cornelius has 2,014 yards passing with 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. However, on October 13, his worst outing of the season Cornelius threw for 184 yards with a pair of interceptions in a 31-12 loss at the hand of Kansas State.

Wide receiver Tylan Wallace leads Oklahoma State with 40 receptions for 719 yards with four touchdowns.

Oklahoma State is allowing 28.3 points per game, yet leads the country in quarterback sacks with 30 and defensive end Jordan Brailford leads the team with eight.

The overall series lead is held by Texas 24-8, but Oklahoma State is 6-2 over the last eight.

Prediction: Look for Texas to establish the running game early with running back Keaontay Ingram to protect against any ill-effects Ehlinger may still have with his throwing shoulder. The Longhorns offense will wear down the Cowboys defense and prevail 41-27.

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