STILLWATER — The margin of error has been eliminated.
If Oklahoma State wants to make a return trip to the Big 12 Championship Game, Saturday is must-win status.
The Cowboys play host to West Virginia at 3 p.m. Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium, desperately needing to snap a two-game losing streak.
West Virginia, meanwhile, had a rough non-conference stretch, but has won its only Big 12 game, and can climb another rung in the conference race with an upset.
Here’s a look at The Oklahoman’s staff predictions for the game:
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The Oklahoman’s staff predictions for OSU vs. West Virginia
Justin Martinez, trending reporter
OSU 31, West Virginia 28
RIDE ‘EM, COWBOYS
Ollie Gordon II puts OSU on his back for first Big 12 win of the season. The junior runs for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Joe Mussatto, columnist
OSU 34, West Virginia 29
GOOD GOLLIE
Ollie Gordon II gets back on track as Cowboys get first Big 12 win. Gordon cracks 200 yards rushing for the third time in his career.
Jeff Patterson, sports editor
OSU 34, West Virginia 30
FLIP THE SCRIPT
The Mountaineers are giving up more than 30 points per game against Power Four competition this year. That doesn’t change Saturday. OSU seventh-year quarterback Alan Bowman finds his rhythm and avoids turnovers as the Cowboys capitalize on a resurgent Ollie Gordon II by skipping the negative game script that dogged OSU last week at Kansas State.
Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor
OSU 23, West Virginia 17
NARD-DOG
With the Cowboys’ defense feeling the heat, coordinator Bryan Nardo’s unit comes up big late to seal a much-needed victory and right the ship.
Scott Wright, OSU beat writer
OSU 38, West Virginia 35
WARD OF STATE
The Oklahoma State offense rediscovers itself and Ollie Gordon II returns to the 100-yard club, but the big play of the day comes from the foot of placekicker Logan Ward, whose late field goal gets the Cowboys back in the win column.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football vs West Virginia score predictions for Week 6
