AMES, IA, Sporting Alert – No. 14 Oklahoma is still in the College Football Playoff race, at least so the experts think, and the Sooners will be hoping to stay in the hunt after Thursday night game at Iowa State.
Oklahoma (6-2, 5-0 Big 12) has dropped two games already this season.
College Football Playoff Still In Possible
Nevertheless, the college football analysts and FiveThirtyEight are still backing the Big 12 leaders to win out in the conference, which could see them taking advantage of any slip ups from those teams currently ranked above them.
Just as they did last year.
Since losing 45-24 to then-No. 3 Ohio State on September 17, the Sooners have won five straight and have tallied 257 points in the October run.
They are averaging 51.7 points per game from these five wins.
Reciever Dede Westbrook was also outstanding in October, tallying 881 receiving yards and caught 11 touchdowns during the unbeaten run.
However, defensively, Bob Stoop’s side gave up 33 points per contest last month, which is something they will want to take a look at, given the important three games to come after this trip to Jack Trice Stadium.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield has also been prolific in the undefeated run for OU, accounting for 23 touchdowns, including 20 in the air and throwing for 1,791 yards.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma has revealed that running back Joe Mixon has been suspended for Thursday night’s game after he broke team rules.
Mixon is the leading rusher for the Sooners this season with 813 yards and five TDs.
According to a statement released by OU, the player acknowledged he “did not respond appropriately to parking attendants and understand and accept the consequences.”
In the meantime, Iowa State has been on a terrible run this season, dropping four straight and sits at the bottom of the Big 12 Standings alongside Kansas.
The Cyclones (1-7) came up short in their second-half rally, falling to 31-26 to the visiting Kansas State on Saturday.
Oklahoma has an 89.3 percent chance to win against Iowa State, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index.
Live coverage of Iowa State v Oklahoma will be on ESPN and is streaming on the WatchESPN app, starting at 7:30 PM ET.
The other college football playoff top 25 ranked team in action on Thursday night is No. 15 Colorado which should be rested and ready to take on the visiting UCLA at Folsom Field.
The Buffaloes (6-2), leaders in the South division, are one of three teams from the PAC-12 in the CFP top 25 and is listed above Washington State, which is 5-0 with the undefeated No. 5 Washington in North.
According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, Colorado has a 71.9 percent chance to win against UCLA.
Live coverage of this game is on Fox Sports 1 USA, starting at 9:00 PM ET.
College Football Schedule
Thursday, November 3
Buffalo at Ohio 6:00 PM CBSSN
No. 14 Oklahoma at Iowa State 7:30 PM ESPN, WatchESPN
Arkansas State at Georgia State 7:30 PM ESPNU, WatchESPN
UCLA at No. 15 Colorado 9:00 PM FS1
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