The Cyclones have been a nightmare for Oklahoma State in recent meetings and they won in Stillwater last year. but this is a good spot in which to back the Cowboys -- instead of laying points as they normally would in this situation, they are getting double figures in what rates to be a bit of a shootout. This could prove to be fool's gold, but the books have earned my cash if Iowa State covers this.

The key to Iowa State's win streak after a 2-2 start has been its defense. The only Big 12 team allowing fewer points per game in conference play is Oklahoma. Then there's Oklahoma State, which averaged 49 points per game in nonconference play, but is averaging only 29 against Big 12 opponents. The total in this game is a better reflection of who these teams were in September, not here in late October.