Pick: Oklahoma State over 7.5 wins (-165)

I’m not a big fan of making season win total picks in college football but there was one prop that stood out for me. I prefer making college football picks based on situations in the middle of the year but I have a strong opinion before the season about the Oklahoma State Cowboys. I think they will win eight or more games in 2015.

Oklahoma State has long been overshadowed in the state by Oklahoma. Now Mike Gundy has built a competitive program that is a threat to compete for a conference title most years. The Cowboys have won double-digit games in the regular season three times since 2010.

Oklahoma State had a down year in 2014 and needed to burn the redshirt on quarterback Mason Rudolph to gain bowl eligibility. Rudolph spelled Daxx Garman, who didn’t take his opportunity when he had the starting job. Rudolph led Oklahoma State to an upset at Oklahoma and the Cowboys defeated the Washington Huskies in their bowl game.

Oklahoma State has a favorable schedule this season. Their three toughest opponents are Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma. The Cowboys play those three games in November and they are all at home. Not having to play the top teams until the final month of the regular season is huge especially with a first-year starting quarterback. I don’t think Oklahoma State will win the Big 12 but I think they can upset either Baylor or TCU at home, and end up winning double-digit games. They only have to win eight games so my reasoning leads me to over 7.5 wins.