One of college football's most interesting teams will take the field on Thursday night to open the 2017 season. Oklahoma State has been one of the hottest teams to talk about since its impressive Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado last December. Perhaps no team other than USC has received the so-called "bowl bump" as much as the Cowboys.
But now it's time to stop the chatter and play some ball. First up is Tulsa, a team also capable of scoring lots of points and quickly. Can Oklahoma State take care of business in a shootout?
Viewing information
Date: Thursday, Aug. 31 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium -- Stillwater, Oklahoma
TV: FS1 | Live stream: FuboTV and Fox Sports Go
Storylines
Tulsa: After breaking through with a 10-win season in 2016, the Golden Hurricane are in rebuilding mode. Philip Montgomery's team ranks among the lowest in the FBS in returning production; however, Mongtomery is a coach on the rise and this is now Year 3 in his system. If the new set of starters show they have what it takes to compete with the likes of Oklahoma State, the drop-off may not be as steep as originally predicted (media projected Tulsa would finish fourth in the AAC West). The Golden Hurricane aren't likely to contend for a New Year's Six bowl, but they could be a fun, easy going team to pay attention to throughout the season.
Oklahoma State: The road to the College Football Playoff as a non-traditional power starts here for Oklahoma State. It's all you're going to hear about until this team gives you a reason not to anymore. The Cowboys aren't preseason Big 12 favorites -- Oklahoma is -- but they certainly have been the trendy offseason team of the Washington ilk. There will be a lot of attention on the offense, quarterback Mason Rudolph and receiver James Washington. You will hear a lot about how this is the best team coach Mike Gundy has had since 2011. You know this story by now.
But if Oklahoma State is really going to take that next step, the defense is going to be the side to watch. That's going to separate them from fun nine- or 10-win team to a legitimate top-five team. Do they take care of business on defense or are they getting beat? Are they playing smart or making mistakes? We won't know everything about the Pokes just yet, but we'll get an idea.
Prediction
It wouldn't be all that surprising if Tulsa came out swinging and put a score on the board first to inject a little adrenaline into Oklahoma State's veins. It's Week 1. Everyone needs to shake off the rust a little bit. The Cowboys have so much firepower, though, and should be more than enough to get a win in Week 1. Gundy's team has been good vs. the spread at home lately, too. Pick: Oklahoma State -17.5 (Oklahoma State 48, Tulsa 28)
Who are the pros picking? Visit SportsLine to see which college football teams Vegas pros are hammering on opening weekend, plus see which side of Florida-Michigan is getting all the action.
