2018 Oklahoma State Cowboys Season Win Total Picks and Predictions for NCAA Football

2017 Record: 10-3

2018 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 8.0*

2018 Season Win Total Picks NCAA Football: 'Under'

Were I an Oklahoma State fan, I couldn't help but feel a bit cheated by last year's campaign. Sure, the Cowboys won 10 games, including a bowl victory over Virginia Tech. But after starting the season in the Top 10 and harboring very real college football playoff dreams, last season has to feel more like a consolation prize than an accomplishment.

The most frustrating part about last season - beyond watching Bedlam rival OU advance to the playoff - has to be the fact that all three of Oklahoma State's losses came at home, with two of the losses (TCU and Kansas State) coming as a two- and three-touchdown favorite, respectively.

Oklahoma State lost two sensational players to graduation in quarterback Mason Rudolph and wideout James Washington. And although they are saying all the right things heading into the season, you can't help but feel like last year's missed opportunity could linger into this fall.

Rudolph and Washington were the linchpins in another Top 5 offense from the Cowboys. They were No. 1 in the country in passing yards, No. 2 in total yards and No. 4 in scoring with 45 points per game. They won't do that again this year, although Gundy offenses routinely average around 39 or more. While the new starters on offense find their feet, it will be up to the defense, with seven returning starters, to improve its play. The Cowboys were No. 116 in pass defense last season and No. 85 in points allowed. That's not good enough if this program wants to take the next step.

The Cowboys should get off to a great start this fall. They open with four straight home games, with the biggest nonconference test coming from visiting Boise State in Week 3. OSU's first road game is at Kansas before another home game against Iowa State. If the Cowboys beat Boise State they should be 6-0 and back in the Top 10 heading into the meat of the schedule.

But an Oct. 13 road trip to Manhattan has upset written all over it. Then they have a bye week before hosting a dangerous Texas team. A trip to Waco to face Baylor comes in a quintessential letdown/look-ahead spot leading up to the rivalry game at Oklahoma. The Cowboys then close out the year with West Virginia and TCU.

At first glance this season win total seems like an easy 'over' play. Oklahoma State has averaged nearly 10 wins per season with Gundy at the helm the past decade. But if they don't win that Boise State game then it is going to be tough to get over the hump.

I think Oklahoma State will win exactly eight games this year. I think they will start 6-1, losing to either Boise or Kansas State. But I think they can get one of their home games against Texas or WVU, and I think that they will find a way to win (although likely not cover the spread) at Baylor. That means it will all come down to a road trip to TCU as to whether they can clear the bar.

I have this one as a 'push'. But since you didn't click on this article to see me call for a tie, I will lean on the 'under'. I think it is more likely that Oklahoma State trips up somewhere they shouldn't than it is that they will threaten to run the table.

Robert Ferringo has been the top football handicapper in the country the past seven years, earning nearly $28,000 in total football profit. He has also posted seven of nine winning seasons (including back-to-back winning years) and produced 26 of 41 winning football months and an amazing 45 of 70 winning football months over the past decade. Robert has eight of 10 winning NFL preseasons and he is at nearly 60 percent winners over his last 900 totals picks. Also, Robert's proprietary KING College Football Betting System has posted three of five winning seasons. Robert is looking for a third straight winning football year and wants more profit this fall. SIGN UP HERE TODAY AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR 3-FOR-1 FOOTBALL SPECIALS!

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