WVU Mountaineers vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys Odds: Analysis and Prediction

The West Virginia Mountaineers will go for their fourth straight win and try to beat the Oklahoma State Cowboys for the second year in a row when they square off in Stillwater. The Mountaineers are coming off a huge 41-27 home win over previously unbeaten Baylor last week as eight-point underdogs and will be dogs yet again this week when they visit Oklahoma State.

Point spread: Cowboys opened as four-point favorites at Boone Pickens Stadium, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College football pick via Odds Shark computer: 37.7-35.2 Cowboys

Why the West Virginia Mountaineers Can Cover the Spread

Even though West Virginia has won its past three games, last week’s upset of the Bears was a breakthrough performance for the team after failing to cover the spread in three straight. The Mountaineers barely beat Texas Tech 37-34 on the road in their previous game as 5.5-point favorites and have struggled against some of the better teams in the Big 12.

West Virginia quarterback Clint Trickett outplayed Heisman Trophy candidate Bryce Petty of Baylor with 322 passing yards and three touchdowns, and he has topped the 300-yard mark in every game this season. Trickett keeps the Mountaineers in every game, and he could be the difference in helping them pull off the upset here.

Why the Oklahoma State Cowboys Can Cover the Spread

The Cowboys were in a similar spot as West Virginia is now before losing 42-9 at TCU last week as 10.5-point underdogs. They had won their previous five games, going 2-3 against the spread, and appeared to be ready to make a run for the conference title. But Oklahoma State is just not the same team away from home, also failing to cover the 20-point spread in a 27-20 road win at Kansas before the loss to the Horned Frogs.

The Cowboys are 8-3 ATS in their past 11 home games against Big 12 opponents, including a 37-20 victory as 16.5-point favorites in their last game at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 4.

Smart Pick

The Mountaineers are playing really well right now, but they are just 1-4 ATS in their past five road games against conference foes. Keeping that in mind, the over is appealing, considering betting trends are favoring it for both sides. The total has gone over in five of West Virginia’s last seven games as a road underdog and 3-1 in Oklahoma State’s past four as a home favorite.

The Cowboys were averaging more than 38 points in their previous five games before losing to TCU, and the Mountaineers have scored nearly 40 per game since losing to Alabama 33-23 in the season opener. Ironically, the under has cashed in the last three games for each team, so look for that trend to come to an end in what should be a high-scoring conference matchup.

Betting Trends

• The total has gone OVER in four of West Virginia's last six games on the road
• Oklahoma State is 2-4 ATS in its last six games

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app.