Texas Longhorns vs Oklahoma State Cowboys Odds: Betting Preview and Pick

The defending Big 12 Conference champion Oklahoma State Cowboys begin the defense of their crown when they host the Texas Longhorns Saturday night in Stillwater (7:50 pm ET, Fox).

The spread and total have fluctuated a bit on this game during the week, but as of Friday morning most online sportsbooks were listing Texas at -2.5, with one shop pushing them to -3.

"The total was a sky-high 66, but the focus was on the spread, where bettors recall road teams winning five of the past seven games between these Big 12 foes," said Jack Randall, a football analyst at OddsShark.com.

OSU, who has scored at least 30 points in 21 straight games, had last week off, as did Texas, so both are rested and ready. The Cowboys are just 1-5 ATS in their last six home games against Texas, according to the betting trends.

Two thirds of bettors were on Texas, said Randall, pointing to the consensus betting data on the game.

Oklahoma State began this season with 12 starters, eight on offense but only four on D, back from the team that went 12-1 last year and won the Big 12. The Cowboys kicked off this season with an 84-0 romp over Savannah State, but then lost at Arizona 59-38, outgaining the Wildcats by over 100 yards but turning the ball over four times.

Then two weeks ago OSU trounced Louisiana-Lafayette 65-24, racking up a school-record 742 yards of offense.

The Cowboys have a bit of uncertainty at QB right now after starter Wes Lunt injured a knee against Louisiana-Lafayette. But it appears to not matter because backup JW Walsh accounted for over 400 yards of offense and five touchdowns after replacing Lunt.

As of Friday, Lunt was still listed as "doubtful" for Saturday night.

Texas, meanwhile, returned 15 starters this year, nine on offense, from a team that went 8-5 last year. The 'Horns opened this season with a 37-17 victory over Wyoming, then shut-out New Mexico 45-0. And two weeks ago Texas bombed Ole Miss in Oxford 66-31.

Texas sophomore QB David Ash has completed 76 percent of his passes this year and owns a 7/0 TD/INT ratio.

The 'Horns lead this series all-time 22-4, but OSU has beaten Texas two years in a row. Last year the Cowboys, on their way to the conference title, hung a 38-26 loss on the 'Horns in Austin.

Free Pick: When was the last time Texas lost three straight games to anyone? We'll take the Longhorns. (courtesy of PickShark.com)