The Big 12 opens in earnest this week with a premier matchup between the No. 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-0) and visiting No. 12 Utah Utes (3-0). Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with Fox on the broadcast.
The point spread favors Utah by 1.5 or 2.5 points, depending on the sportsbook, and the Utes are listed at -130 on the moneyline in a game with an over/under line of 54 points. The betting line has moved considerably following news that Utah will have veteran quarterback Cam Rising under center after he missed a 38-21 win at Utah State last Saturday, shifting the Utes from three-point dogs to short favorites in college football Week 4 odds.
Oklahoma State has won seven straight home games against ranked foes and is 14-2 overall at Boone Pickens Stadium since 2022. Utah was only 1-4 against ranked foes last season and 2-3 on the road, but Rising missed all of 2023 with a torn ACL.
Read more about the matchup below with a focus on player props at college football betting sites.
Utah vs. Oklahoma State player prop tool
The player prop tool below makes it easy to find lines for Cam Rising, Oklahoma State tailback Ollie Gordon, or any other player by simply searching their name and comparing odds at multiple online sportsbooks.
Player props for Utah vs. Oklahoma State
How Cam Rising could get over 231.5 passing yards
Rising averaged 233.4 passing yards per game in 2022 and passed for 254 yards in his season debut as a seventh-year college player. The veteran was injured against Baylor the following week but should be all systems go for what projects to be a high-scoring matchup. Oklahoma State’s defense has allowed 326 passing yards per game through three weeks, and the Cowboys’ offense is producing 42 points per game, which could force Rising to throw early and often if it continues.
State is also throwing at a much higher rate this season with opposing defenses keying in to stop Doak Walker winner Ollie Gordon. Rising is capable of pushing the ball down the field with great accuracy, and he’s averaging 11.9 yards per completion so far this season.
How Cam Rising could get under 231.5 passing yards
Injury concerns have to be a starting point for Rising, who has lost two seasons at Utah with shoulder and knee injuries, and who comes into this matchup with a hand issue. The Oklahoma State defense will almost certainly be aggressive in forcing Rising out of the pocket, where he’s more effective.
Utah has been running the ball more effectively this season, to the tune of 5.0 yards per carry. It’s possible Kyle Whittington and his staff look to maintain that approach on the road against a ranked opponent to protect his quarterback. Oklahoma State lost a lot of talent and experience on the defensive line this season, and that unit has been vulnerable.
How Ollie Gordon could get over 16.5 receiving yards
Instead of his lofty rushing prop (83.5 yards), let’s consider Oklahoma State’s running back to top 16.5 receiving yards. Opposing defenses have sold out to stop the Cowboys’ rushing attack so far this season after Gordon rolled up 1,732 rushing yards at 6.1 yards per carry last season.
Mike Gundy and his staff could try to scheme the ball to their main playmaker with more short throws, as we saw over the first two weeks when Gordon totaled five catches for 40 receiving yards in their first two home games. Getting the ball out to Gordon on some screen plays could serve as an effective way to slow Utah’s fierce pass rush.
How Ollie Gordon could get under 16.5 receiving yards
Gordon is the primary ball carrier for Oklahoma State, and that means his primary role will be to take handoffs, with some route-running opportunities interspersed. Utah’s defense is elite at all levels, but the Utes gave up 115 rushing yards to Rahsul Faison of Utah State last week, so it’s possible Gordon finds more success on the ground.
Recent history would favor Oklahoma State at home here, despite Utah receiving action on the spread. And if the Cowboys are able to jump out to an early lead, Gordon’s receiving role could diminish.
