The Cowboys only have allowed 27 total points in three games this year, but they have faced pretty meager competition to this point. Iowa State has an experienced offense and has had some success in Boone Pickens Stadium as well. What's more, the Oklahoma State offense has been stuck in the mud a bit and should get going with the return of QB Spencer Sanders from injury.

Two consecutive off weeks was a blessing of sorts to the Cowboys. QB Spencer Sanders, out since the season opener, is back on duty from injury rehab. Coach Matt Campbell has built a reputation on taking down favorites, but this spread appears thin. Oklahoma State has yielded one touchdown in each outing, the last one in mop-up time of a blowout. Forever unappreciated, the Cowboys have failed to cover in just four of their last 17 efforts.

I get the sense that a lot of people are crowning Oklahoma State as Big 12 champions already simply because Oklahoma and Texas have been bad. While the Pokes are off to a 3-0 start with great defense, they haven't played anybody. Iowa State's proven itself already this year, and Matt Campbell has gone 17-5 ATS as an underdog in Big 12 play with the Cyclones. I'll trust that record and Iowa State's performances against better teams than Oklahoma State's played.

Oklahoma State has played extremely well defensively, almost surprisingly well. It was the Cowboys' defense that helped them avoid the upset against Tulsa and helped them knock off West Virginia. With their offense getting more and more into gear each game, Oklahoma State is a dangerous squad moving forward. Iowa State will be a game opponent but not enough to cover the spread.