Result prediction for No. 13 BYU Football vs. Oklahoma State

No. 13 BYU begins the second half of its schedule Friday night against Oklahoma State. As of this writing, the Cougars are nine points ahead of the Cowboys. Today we pull out our crystal ball and predict the outcome of BYU-Oklahoma State.

If this game were played last week, I think BYU would win by three points. Oklahoma State’s bye week adds an extra twist to this matchup. Heading into Week 2, the Cowboys had been nothing short of terrible, losing three games in a row and going 80-34 in their last two games.

With an extra week of preparation during the bye week and a chance to work out some things in the run game, this game could be competitive.

Last year, the Cowboys were 2-2 before the bye week. After a bye week, the Cowboys went 7-1 and secured a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game. Mike Gundy is doing very well after a bye week. The last time Oklahoma State lost after a bye week was in 2020.

Week aside, BYU is the better and more consistent football team. If the Cougars avoid turnovers, they should roll the dice in this game. Oklahoma State is reportedly set to start Garret Rangel. If BYU can contain Ollie Gordon, it will be a long night for Rangel and the Oklahoma State offense.

To say Oklahoma State was bad on defense would be an understatement. The Cowboys rank 130th in rushing defense, 129th in total defense, 109th in pass defense and 91st in scoring defense. If there’s ever an opportunity for the BYU offense to have a breakout game, this is it. The Cowboys are without their two best linebackers, Nick Martin and Collin Oliver.

If BYU plays like it has all season, the Cougars should win this road game. You can’t discount Mike Gundy when it comes to motivating your team during a bye week – and it’s safe to expect some new talent from Oklahoma State in this game – but BYU is the better football team. And we believe that will be clear at the end of the game.

forecast: BYU 34 | Oklahoma State 20