Arizona Wildcats at No. 9 Oklahoma State Cowboys
Thursday, 9/8/11, 8:00 EST, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: Oklahoma State -14
Current Betting Line: Oklahoma State -14.5
Opening Total: 64.5
Current Total: 65
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Arizona opened up with a solid 41-10 victory over in-state rival Northern Arizona (non-FBS opponent) and quarterback Nick Foles racked up some serious yards. He connected on 34 of 42 passes for 412 yards, with a career-high five touchdowns and no interceptions. “We throw the ball first,” Wildcats head coach Mike Stoops stated. “That’s what we do.” All the talk during the offseason surrounded an offensive line that was replacing five players, but the signal-caller was pleased with the unit’s performance in the opener. Arizona got some of its younger players some experience, playing 11 true freshman. The team is 0-2 ATS versus Big 12 opponents the last two-plus years.
The Wildcats will be entering the second week of action as the No. 4 passing attack nationally, after throwing for 412 yards in the opener. Leading the charge on the outside is senior wide receiver Juron Criner, who finished the game with six receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown. Overall, the team returned one of the deepest and most experienced receiving corps in the nation, combining for 517 receptions and 5,301 yards.
Oklahoma State knows that Arizona will be seeking revenge after tallying a 36-10 win over the school in the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl. The Cowboys are trying to begin a season 2-0 for the fifth time in the last six years, and will be playing a Thursday night contest for the third consecutive year. The prior two have been absolute thrillers, tallying 38-35 win over Texas A&M in 2010 and a 31-28 victory over Colorado. Oklahoma State will be looking to even its record against schools that made up the old Pac-10 Conference, coming in with a 9-10 mark against such opponents.
The Cowboys offense was limited to just 312 yards in last year’s bowl victory, but the defense provided a huge lift by intercepting three passes and amassing five sacks. Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden was 25 of 41 for 240 yards and connected with wide receiver Justin Blackmon nine times for 117 yards. It’s likely that the team will have more success this time around and is coming off a 666-yard performance in last week’s blowout win over Louisiana-Lafayette. The Cowboys were an ultra-impressive 10-for-10 in the red zone in that contest.
Bettors will likely back the Cowboys due to their 14-6 ATS mark as a favorite, while the Wildcats are 4-5 ATS as an underdog.
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