College GameDay Panel Favors Oklahoma State Over Texas Tech

ESPN’s College GameDay panel mostly backed Oklahoma State ahead of its Saturday night meeting with Texas Tech. The No. 25 Cowboys, 6-3 overall and 4-2 in Big 12 play, are scheduled to host the No. 12 Red Raiders, who are 8-1 and 5-1, at 8:30 p.m. at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Desmond Howard, Nick Saban, Kirk Herbstreit and guest picker Ian Desmond all selected Oklahoma State. Pat McAfee was the only panelist to pick Texas Tech.

Howard expected a high-scoring contest and said the outcome could depend on which team has possession at the end. Saban pointed to the matchup between Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestmaker and Texas Tech’s secondary. Herbstreit said the Red Raiders’ defense was not as strong as last year’s, while describing Texas Tech as a strong team.

McAfee predicted a major Texas Tech win, citing quarterback Thomas Castellanos and booster Cody Campbell. Ian Desmond said he favored the quarterback leading the nation in total touchdowns.

The game carries Big 12 title implications. Oklahoma State needs to win its remaining games and receive help to have a chance at the conference championship game. Texas Tech controls its path: winning its final three league games would give it the opportunity to defend its title next month in Arlington. Oklahoma State’s hopes improved after Colorado beat Houston on Friday, a result that helped the Cowboys’ position in the tiebreaker picture.