Central Michigan vs. Oklahoma State Week 1 College Football Picks: Cowboys Big Favorites at Home

The first week of college football kicks off on Thursday with several games in the primetime window. The non-conference game features the Central Michigan Chippewas and Oklahoma State Cowboys. Central Chipper won nine games last season. Oklahoma St. came up short in last year's Big 12 Championship Game against Baylor. The Cowboys are favored by north of three touchdowns.

Central Michigan and Oklahoma State play each other on Thursday, September 1st at 7 p.m. ET at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The weather is expected to be warm with a 47% chance of precipitation.

Oklahoma State is a 19-point favorite ahead of Thursday's game against Central Michigan. The game total has been adjusted slightly, but the consensus is one point below the initial line. 61% of bets like the game to go Over, while the gap in terms of handle is practically even.

Central Michigan vs. Oklahoma State is a game to watch in the college football season.

Central Michigan is a heavy favorite against Oklahoma State. The Cowboys failed to cover in all three of their nonconference games last year. Central Michigan's offense is strong, especially the running back, Lew Nichols III. The Chippewas lost some offensive linemen, but they should be able to keep the score close. Oklahoma's defense is expected to be better this year, as well. They were a 38-point favorite at Missouri State last season, and they only won by a touchdown.

Oklahoma State is underdogs against Central Michigan. The Cowboys lost a couple of key players in the offseason. CentralMichigan is a well-known MAC team. The Chippewas are expected to be one of the best in their division. They are undersized and less talented than the Cowboys.

Nichols III finished last season with over 1,800 yards rushing with a yards-per-carry average of 5.4. Nichols surpassed the 100-yard mark in two of three games against Power 5 opponents last year. He rumbled for 135 yards on 19 carries in Week 1 against Missouri and 138 yards in the Sun Bowl upset of Washington State. Central Michigan and Oklahoma State are playing each other on Thursday.

Central Michigan and Oklahoma State play each other in the first college football game of the season.

Central Michigan plays Oklahoma State in the first game of the season on 8/31/2022 at 5:45 p.m. ET.