Week 2 – Oklahoma State at Arizona

Week 2 CFN Fearless Prediction – Oklahoma State at Arizona

- CFN Fearless Predictions

Oklahoma State (1-0) at Arizona (1-0) Sept. 8, 10:30, Pac-12 Network

Here’s The Deal: Mike Gundy and Rich Rodriguez are in the same building. The offensive fireworks are pretty much a foregone conclusion. Arizona and Oklahoma State have met in each of the last two seasons, with the latter winning both by no less than 23 points. However, a new year brings significant change to both programs. In Stillwater, the Cowboys are adjusting to life without many of last year’s stars from a 12-1 team. The school’s first chance to prove that it plans to remain a Big 12 and national contender went on without a hitch, an 84-0 throttling of Savannah State. The Wildcats were victorious in the opener as well, Coach Rod’s debut in Tucson, but it came with a lot more sweaty palms. Arizona generated a ton of offense on Saturday night, but still needed overtime to escape the upset bid of Toledo, 24-17. By the end of the weekend, someone is headed back to the planning stages, while the winner will have pocketed a momentum-building win.

Why Oklahoma State Might Win: Okay, so facing a bad FCS team will overinflate a team’s numbers, but as long as Gundy is calling the shots, the Cowboys are going to be rather potent on offense. Surrounding true freshman pitcher Wes Lunt will be a handful of field-stretchers, spearheaded by electrifying RB Joseph Randle and a wave of veteran receivers expected to get back Tracy Moore from suspension. Arizona is taking a porous defense into the 2012 season that lacks depth or proven stoppers against the run. Oklahoma State will spread the field—and the wealth—exploiting a mediocre collection of defenders on the other side of the ball.

Why Arizona Might Win: The Cowboys will score. The Wildcats believe that they can keep pace. Although the new spread in Tucson needs to become more efficient over time, the attack showcased a lot of potential in the opener with Toledo. While Oklahoma State has a rookie under center, Arizona is guided by fifth-year senior Matt Scott, who threw for 387 yards and two scores, adding 74 rushing yards. Led by the physical Dan Buckner, the wide receivers piled up big numbers as well. On the ground, RB Ka’Deem Carey left few doubts that he’s on the verge of becoming one of the Pac-12’s better young backs. The key for the ‘Cats is to protect the ball better, and score more points in the red zone.

What To Watch Out For: Since most of the stars on Saturday night will be shining on offense, it’s incumbent upon someone on defense to step up and make something happen. Oklahoma State, while vulnerable, is more likely to deliver from this side of the ball. The Cowboys have playmakers at each level who’ll cause problems for Scott and that Arizona offense. Up front, junior-college transfer Calvin Barnett has elicited rave reviews from the coaching staff. And in the back seven, LB Shaun Lewis and CB Brodrick Brown are liable to turn the Wildcats’ sloppiness with the ball into a trend.

What Will Happen: This ought to be one of Week 2’s more entertaining games, steeped in offense and interesting storylines. How will Lunt react to his first road trip? Will Coach Rod be able to deliver his first signature win with the Wildcats? Oklahoma State may not be the same team it was in 2011, but it’s still a rung or two above Arizona, which will counter punch on offense for a while before wilting on defense. Lunt will keep it simple, getting the ball in the hands of Randle and the other Cowboys playmakers, and letting them make things happen in the open field.

CFN Prediction: Oklahoma State 41 … Arizona 27
ATS Consultants Line (Click for more lines and picks) Oklahoma State -10 O/U: 69.5
Must Watch Rating (5 – Phineas & Ferb, 1 – Steve Harvey): 3