Tulsa vs. Oklahoma State: Pick vs. Spread and Top Storylines

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are looking to bounce back after a brutal 69-3 loss to the Oregon Ducks, with a chance at redemption coming Friday, Sept. 19, against Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane comes into the game on the heels of back-to-back losses to New Mexico State and Navy.

Friday’s showdown is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN, with Oklahoma State listed as an 11.5-point favorite. The over/under is set at 54.5 total points. Here are two key players to watch in this game, followed by the top storylines for each team, and a prediction from Heartland College Sports.

Two Key Players To Watch

Kalib Hicks (RB, Oklahoma State)

One of the lone bright spots for Oklahoma State’s offense against the Ducks was running back Kalib Hicks, who led the team with 63 rushing yards. Hicks remains the Cowboys’ top rusher and could be poised for a breakout performance against a Tulsa defense that just gave up 367 rushing yards and five touchdowns to Navy. If Oklahoma State is going to get back on track, establishing Hicks early could be the key.

Zion Booker (WR, Tulsa)

Tulsa wide receiver Zion Booker has had a strong start to the 2025 season, already racking up 23 receptions for 214 yards and solidifying his role as the Golden Hurricane’s top target. He’s developed solid chemistry with quarterback Baylor Hayes, and if Tulsa hopes to knock off a Power Five opponent, that connection will need to click early and often.

Two Key Storylines

Zane Flores Looks to Ignite Oklahoma State Offense

After starting quarterback Hauss Hejny went down with an injury, head coach Mike Gundy turned to Zane Flores to lead the Cowboys’ offense. Flores struggled in his start against Oregon, completing just 36.8% of his passes for 67 yards. However, with Tulsa’s defense off to a shaky start this season, Friday’s matchup presents a prime opportunity for Flores to settle in before Oklahoma State faces Baylor next weekend. No Cowboys receiver has eclipsed 100 total yards on the season, giving Flores a chance to spread the ball around and spark the passing game.

In-State Rivalry Opportunity

Oklahoma State has historically controlled its in-state rivalry with Tulsa, holding a 44-27-5 advantage in the all-time series. However, Friday’s matchup could be the Golden Hurricane’s best shot at an upset in recent memory, with the Cowboys reeling from a blowout loss and still searching for stability. In last year’s meeting, Oklahoma State cruised to a 45-10 win on the road, but lost several key contributors from that squad. If Tulsa can capitalize on OSU’s uncertainty, it could flip the script in a rivalry long dominated by the Cowboys.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 24, Tulsa 14

Flores will need to be much sharper if Oklahoma State hopes to get back on track this season. His outing against Oregon was rough, as he completed just seven passes. While the Ducks are a different caliber of opponent, his accuracy and decision-making must improve moving forward. That said, Friday’s matchup with Tulsa offers a much-needed tune-up. The Golden Hurricane defense has struggled, particularly against the run. This game gives Flores a valuable opportunity to build confidence, develop chemistry with his receivers, and settle into the offense before the Cowboys dive into Big 12 play