Oklahoma State didn’t struggle much against Missouri State on Saturday, but they definitely were not as successful as they should have been. The competition is not much better this weekend as the Cowboys host the South Alabama Jaguars, but there are still a few areas that can be improved upon ahead of some tougher competition as the season continues. As for Saturday, here are a few specific areas on which the Cowboys need to focus.

Fix the Front Line

The Cowboys rushed for over 400 yards, but the offensive line allowed Taylor Cornelius to get sacked twice, and they struggled in goal line situations.

These are small problems that can be worked on as the season continues and competition gets stronger, but an inability to score at will once in the red zone cannot be an issue for the Cowboys if they want to have anything near a successful season.

Let Cornelius Sling It

In his debut as a starter, Taylor Cornelius managed to go 24/34 for 295 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. He also had an impressive 32-yard scramble.

Nevertheless, Cornelius struggled at times, particularly in throwing the long ball. He was caught throwing off his back foot on multiple plays, which was the primary cause of his interception. As a matter of fact, he nearly had a second interception for the same reason.

Even still, Mike Gundy cannot be afraid to let Cornelius keep throwing the ball. The Cowboys were excellent at throwing the deep ball last season with Mason Rudolph finding James Washington regularly, and they need to figure out now if Cornelius has the ability to do so or if they need to avoid the idea altogether.

Take Care of the Ball

On top of Cornelius’s interception, the Cowboys fumbled the ball twice. They were able to recover one of the fumbles, but turning the ball over twice to a team that was near the bottom of FCS defenses a season ago is just pathetic.

Simply put, Oklahoma State needs to do what they need to take care of business against South Alabama, but at the same time, the Cowboys need to continue to prepare for their matchup against Boise State next week. Taking risks is not necessary to get a win against a team like South Alabama, so they need to protect the ball and limit turnovers.