Oklahoma State vs. Utah prediction, odds: 2024 college football Week 4 picks from proven computer model

SportsLine's model simulated Saturday's Utah Utes vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys matchup 10,000 times

Two of the most established coaches in college football will lead their top-15 ranked teams in a matchup between the No. 12 Utah Utes vs. No. 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday in a battle of two 3-0 teams playing their Big 12 openers. Kyle Whittingham is in his 20th season as Utah's head coach, taking over for Urban Meyer when Meyer left to become the Florida head coach following the 2024 season. Whittingham is 165-79 (.676) at Utah with 17 winning seasons. Mike Gundy also took over Oklahoma State for the 2005 season and is 169-79 (.681) in his 20th season at the school.

The contest will kick off from Boone Pickens Stadium at 4 p.m. ET. The Cowboys are 1-point favorites in the latest Utah vs. Oklahoma State odds, according to the SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for points scored is 53.5. Before making any Utah vs. Oklahoma State picks, check out the college football predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a profit of over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It is also coming off a profitable 13-9 season on top-rated spread picks and is off to a 5-2 start on over/under picks this season. Anyone who has followed it has seen strong returns.

The model has set its sights on Oklahoma State vs. Utah. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college football betting lines for the spread, money line and over/under for the game: 

• Utah vs. Oklahoma State spread: Oklahoma State -1
• Utah vs. Oklahoma State over/under: 53.5 points
• Utah vs. Oklahoma State money line: Utah -113, Oklahoma State -108
• Utah: The Utes are 6-4 ATS as an underdog since the start of the 2020 season
• OKST: The Cowboys are 9-5 ATS as an underdog or when favored by three points or fewer since the start of the 2022 season
• Utah vs. Oklahoma State picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why you should back Utah

Despite suffering significant injuries at nearly every position last season, including playing without starting quarterback Cameron Rising (knee) for the entire season after an injury he suffered in the Rose Bowl the year before, Utah went 8-5 for its 10th straight winning season after winning 10 games in back to back seasons. Rising being the quarterback may be the most significant injury, but Utah also lost key starters in tight end Brant Kuithe, wide receiver Mycah Pittman, linebacker Lander Barton, running back Micah Bernard, and edge rusher Logan Fano for multiple weeks.

All those players are back this season, but Rising (hand) is questionable after missing last week. Reports indicate he's expected to play, but it's an injury to monitor leading up to the contest. Bernard is the team's leading rusher with 274 yards and a touchdown on 6.7 yards per carry and Kuithe is second in receiving yards (142) while leading the team with three touchdown receptions. If Rising is active and health is back on their side, the Utes could record their second road victory over a ranked opponent in as many seasons on Saturday. See which team to pick here.

Why you should back Oklahoma State

The Cowboys are coming off a 45-10 win over Tulsa as they've scored at least 39 points in each of their first three contests. Oklahoma State ranks 11th in college football in scoring (42 points per game) behind one of the best passing attacks in the country. The Cowboys rank third in college football in passing yards (378.5 yards per game) and fourth in pass attempts behind Alan Bowman, who is playing in his seventh college football season. Bowman began his college football career at Texas Tech in 2018 before transferring to Michigan for the 2021 season and then joining Oklahoma State last season. Bowman has raised his completion percentage to 67% this year after completing 60.7% of passes last game and he's averaging 322.3 passing yards per game this year compared to 247.1 yards per game last year.

The Cowboys have one of the better red zone defenses in the country, ranking 11th in opposing scoring percentage inside the 20-yard line, allowing points just 55.6% of the time. That "bend but don't break" style of defense has Oklahoma State's scoring defense ranking 54th in the country despite allowing 500 yards per game, which ranks 119th in the country. In what's expected to be a close matchup, red zone defense can make a significant difference and if Oklahoma State keeps Utah out of the end zone after long drives on Saturday, the Cowboys can improve to 23-2 at home, including 7-0 against ranked opponents, since the start of the 2021 season. See which team to pick here.

How to make Oklahoma State vs. Utah picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 53 combined points. It also says one side of the spread is the better value. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Utah vs. Oklahoma State, and which side of the spread is the better value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Oklahoma State vs. Utah spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up over $2,000 on its FBS college football picks since its inception, and find out.