Meet Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State’s do-it-all running back prospect

Check out Draft Wire’s interview with Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard

If your favorite NFL team is looking for a do-it-all running back who can score every time he touches the ball, Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard fits the bill.

The FBS leader in rushing yards this season, Hubbard recently spoke with Draft Wire about his Canadian roots, his versatile skill set, and which NFL defender he can’t wait to face.

Hubbard wanted to start the interview with a statement about being nominated for the Doak Walker award:

CH: These last few weeks have been really crazy for me. I was just recently named a finalist for the Doak Walker, which is a blessing. It’s crazy to me how fast life can change. Like I’ve always said, I’ve just focused on winning. That’s all I’ve done my entire career here. I never thought about or worried about individual awards. Of course it’s an honor to be considered for this. It’s a testament to the job our offensive line has done and everyone else around me. I know how special those guys are.

JM: You’ve been endorsed by some pretty famous Canadians, such as Wayne Gretzky and Howie Mandel. What does that mean to you?

CH: I mean, it’s crazy (laughs). The names you just mentioned, it’s pretty crazy for a Canadian kid to hear his name come out of those guys mouths. I would have never guessed in a million years that Wayne Gretzky and Howie Mandel would know who I am, or even hear of what a “Chuba” is (laughs). Life comes at you fast. It’s definitely crazy to have guys of their stature know about me. It feels good to know that those guys are rooting for me.

JM: When you start going through the draft process in a couple of months here, and teams sit you down and ask you to describe your skill set, what will you say to them?

CH: To be honest, I haven’t spent a minute thinking about any of that yet. I haven’t even thought about the draft yet. It would be a little premature of me to be doing that right now. I’m just focused on winning games here. That’s all I really have to say about that.

JM: Which scenario do you prefer, taking a carry 75-plus yards to the house, or getting 6-plus touches on a long drive?

CH: You tell me, which would you like? (laughs). 75 yards to the house feels pretty good.

JM: Hey, so does demoralizing your opponents by having multiple successful carries on a single drive.

CH: That also feels great. I won’t lie. It’s very difficult for me to choose between those two.

JM: Is there a defender at the NFL level that you’re looking forward to squaring off with some day?

CH: Really anyone (laughs). If I was on the field and I saw Khalil Mack, Aaron Donald or Richard Sherman, any guy like that, an Earl Thomas maybe, I’d feel pretty crazy about that. I’ve been watching those guys since I was young. That would definitely be a surreal moment for me.

JM: You have a bunch of great teammates, but if you were going into battle tomorrow and could only bring one with you, who would it be and why?

CH: If I’m bringing one, I’m bringing them all (laughs). I can’t narrow it down to one. We’re a whole. We’re together as a unit, so we are one. The whole team, that’s the one I’m bringing.

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Oklahoma at Oklahoma State odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Oklahoma Sooners at Oklahoma State Cowboys sports betting odds and lines, with college football betting picks and tips

The Oklahoma Sooners (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) and Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-3, 5-3) hook up at T. Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla. at 8 p.m. ET for a little ‘Bedlam’. We analyze the Oklahoma-Oklahoma State odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Oklahoma at Oklahoma State: Three things you need to know

1. The Sooners are all set to face Baylor in the Big 12 Championship Game, win or lose in this one, but they’d like to top their rivals for a fifth straight season.

2. Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts needs 133 rushing yards to pass Jack Mildren (1,289 yards, 1971) for the most yardage by a quarterback on the ground.

3. Oklahoma State is just 19-87-2 in the previous 108 meetings between these rivals, and the Cowboys allowed 51.5 points per game (PPG) across the past four losses to the Sooners.

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Oklahoma at Oklahoma State: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 8 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Oklahoma 45, Oklahoma State 36

Moneyline (ML)

Oklahoma (-500) should be able to keep Oklahoma State (+375) RB Chuba Hubbard in check and take care of business; however, it’s bad betting business to risk five times the reward. Avoid the moneyline here.

New to sports betting? Every $10 wagered on an outright win for Oklahoma will return a profit of $2.00.

Against the Spread (ATS)

OKLAHOMA STATE (+12.5, -110) is worth taking with the points at home. Oklahoma (-12.5, -110) has been sloppy defensively, and this is a lot of points to be laying on the road in a rivalry game. Hubbard is an explosive player for the Cowboys, and he is one of a handful of skilled stars for OSU. Unfortunately, they are forced to make due without WR Tylan Wallace, who is done for the season.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 68.5 (-115) is a great play, to me, on paper. Sure, the upper 60’s seems like a lot, but the Sooners haven’t been able to stop anybody lately, allowing 24 or more points in four straight (all non-covers). That includes 41 against Iowa State in a narrow win Nov. 9, and 48 at Kansas State in a loss. Look for this one to go well over the number.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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The 3 biggest storylines of the 114th Bedlam (Oklahoma-Oklahoma State)

Ahead of the 114th matchup in Bedlam series history, there are several surefire players, as well as several question marks. Here are the three biggest storylines in the Sooners and Cowboys matchup.

HEISMAN HUBBARD

The question isn’t can the Sooners stop Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard, it’s can they minimize the damage. The sophomore from Canada averages 167 rushing yards per game, rushing for over 200 yards four times and less than 100 just once against McNeese State in the second game of the year. The Sooners have, and without making the College Football Playoffs, will not see another player like Hubbard. Their only hope is that Ronnie Perkins and Neville Gallimore can anchor a D-Line that will limit his production on Saturday.

MAN VERSUS THE MULLET

The Sooners have someone of their own with massive production this year. Jalen Hurts, you may have heard of him. Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy certainly has, citing “it’s a one-man show,”. Gundy is obviously going to try and do everything in his power to limit specifically Hurts production, but it remains to be seen if that’s even possible, as he averages 396 total yards per game this season. Tune in Saturday to see if Gundy can perform miracles.

MAKING DRU

With starter Spencer Sanders out due to thumb surgery, the Hawaii transfer Dru Brown is possibly the biggest question mark for both teams this weekend. He had a good outing versus West Virginia, completing 22 of his 29 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. He didn’t try to force anything, which could be his downfall against the high-powered Sooners. If he can’t make some much-needed throw against Oklahoma, the Cowboys might be in trouble.

How Oklahoma wins, loses against Oklahoma State in Bedlam

No. 7 Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1) makes the hour and a half trip North to Stillwater to play No. 21 Oklahoma State (8-3, 5-3)…

No. 7 Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1) makes the hour and a half trip North to Stillwater to play No. 21 Oklahoma State (8-3, 5-3) for the one-hundred and fourteenth edition of Bedlam.

OKLAHOMA WINS IF…

… they allow more hands on the ball. Jalen Hurts’ turnovers are without a doubt an issue but are a byproduct of his high usage rate. With Hurts running the ball over 20 times a game for the later part of the season, the running backs have not quite gotten their fair share of carries.

If the Sooners want to dominate the Cowboys, they need to get the ball into the hands of their playmakers.

… the defense plays like they have for the past six quarters. Ever since the second half of the Baylor game, Oklahoma has been dominant on the defensive side of the ball. Although, ESPN may say something different, the Sooners have been all in on the Alex Grinch brand of football.

OKLAHOMA LOSES IF…

… Dru Brown torches the defense. Oklahoma has not had the best success when facing a backup quarterback over the years. With Brown down one of the best receivers in the nation in Tylan Wallace, Brown will be more willing to share the ball rather than force feed Wallace.

…they cannot stop Chuba Hubbard. I’m not saying they need to keep Hubbard under a hundred yards, but the Sooners need to keep him behind the chains when they can. If ‘SpeedD’ can not get downhill before Hubbard gets moving, Oklahoma will be in for a dog fight.

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A statistical look at the Sooners opponent, Oklahoma State

Oklahoma has seen some statistical feats this year with Jalen Hurts, but their in-state rival has had it’s fair share as well.

Oklahoma has seen some statistical feats this year with Jalen Hurts, but their in-state rival has had it’s fair share as well. Here’s a statistical look at the Sooners opponent, Oklahoma State.

HUBBARD HUBBARD

Oklahoma State’s running back Chuba Hubbard has put up some ludicrous numbers this season, and has even possibly earned himself a trip to New York. He has nearly 200 more rushing yards than Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor (1,685) at 1,832, and is second in touchdowns with 20. He’s had four 200-yard games, and has only once not rushed for over a hundred yards. The Sooners have yet to see a running back of his caliber this season.

THE TURNOVER BATTLE

With as much production as Sooners quarterback Jalen Hurts sees, turnovers are bound to happen. But the last three weeks have hurt Oklahoma as he’s averaged an interception and a fumble in the last three games. The Cowboys have forced 16 turnovers in 10 games, a decent stat to boast against the turnover-prone Hurts. The Sooners have forced some key turnovers themselves however, as Nik Bonitto, Parnell Motley and Brendan Radley-Hiles have all had game-clinching interceptions. Whoever wins the Bedlam turnover battle, could very well win the game.

DRU WHO?

Dru Brown made his first career start for the Cowboys last week in their matchup versus West Virginia. With Spencer Sanders out due to thumb surgery, the Hawaii transfer was thrusted into the spotlight. The Mountaineers have had a rocky season so far, winning just four games thus far. Brown managed the game well, throwing for 196 yards and two touchdowns, completing 22 of his 29 passes. The Sooners’ Speed D, however, will be a much tougher task for Brown. If he can dice up the Sooners secondary, he could effectively end Oklahoma’s playoff chances.

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Oklahoma State at West Virginia odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Oklahoma State at West Virginia college football matchup, with college football betting odds, picks and best bets

The Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-3, 4-3, Big 12) and West Virginia Mountaineers (4-6, 2-5) meet Saturday at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, W. Va., at noon ET.

We analyze the Oklahoma State-West Virginia odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Oklahoma State at West Virginia: Three things you need to know

1. Cowboys RB Chuba Hubbard leads the Big 12 with 1,726 rushing yards and a total of 20 touchdowns. The yardage total is tops in the FBS.

2. Oklahoma State took a big hit with WR Tylan Wallace (knee) out for the season due to a knee injury.

3. West Virginia ranks 115th in total yards (328.6) and 129th in rushing yards (76.7) per contest. Defensively, WVU ranks 101st in passing yards allowed (253.9) and tied for 88th in points allowed (30.9).

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Oklahoma State at West Virginia: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Oklahoma 34, West Virginia 23

Moneyline (ML)

Oklahoma State (-250) is a bit pricey, especially for a team playing without its leading receiver while on the road. But you can’t trust West Virginia (+205) despite its upset win over K-State last week to keep its bowl hopes alive.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Oklahoma State to win would return a profit of $4.00.

Against the Spread (ATS)

OKLAHOMA STATE (-6.5, -115) is a tempting play as a favorite by less than a touchdown. The Cowboys have one of the top running backs in the nation, and the Mountaineers are tied for 74th against the run, allowing 167.1 yards per game. That’s where this game will be won.

Over/Under (O/U)

PASS. The over/under (55.5) is going to be too close to call in this one. The Cowboys have a prolific offense, but with Wallace missing they won’t be hitting on all cylinders. The West Virginia offense is also a concern, having been inconsistent and just marginal all season.

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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