Kickoff: 2:30 PM CT
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium
Television: ABC
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Twitter: Follow @HeartlandPokes for live-tweets during the game
The no. 11 Oklahoma State Cowboys dropped their first game of the season last weekend in a double-overtime loss to the TCU Horned Frogs. The Cowboys look to get back on track today as they host the no. 20 Texas Longhorns for Homecoming.
How the Cowboys Can Win
Oklahoma State absolutely has to figure out a way to be successful on the ground. Spencer Sanders is likely still dealing with a shoulder injury, despite head coach Mike Gundy’s reluctance to talk about it, so I’m not sure how much I would expect the Cowboys to be throwing the ball. If that’s the case, the run game has to get going early and often, and if Oklahoma State can find the end zone via the ground game, then it could be a very good Homecoming indeed.
How the Longhorns Can Win
Texas has a fairly balanced offense, scoring 16 touchdowns through the air and 13 touchdowns on the ground. Oklahoma State’s defensive front has been solid, but the secondary has been questionable at best. If the Longhorns manage a way to pick apart the secondary, the ground game will open up as a result, and the Cowboys will struggle to get stops. Texas needs to find success throwing the ball early if they want to win this one.
Staff Predictions
Staff Score Predictions
| Craig | 38-33 Oklahoma State |
| Matt | 34-32 Oklahoma State |
| Zack | 34-31 Oklahoma State |
An Oklahoma State Win Would…
- Make the Cowboys 6-1 or better for the second straight season and for the ninth time in the Mike Gundy era.
- Improve the school-record home winning streak to 13 games.
- Give the Cowboys seven straight wins in games following a loss.
- Give the Cowboys wins in eight of its past nine regular season conference games.
- Give the Cowboys wins in nine of its past 13 games vs. Texas, and in three of its past four games vs. UT in Stillwater.
- Improve Mike Gundy’s record against Texas to 9-9.
- Improve Mike Gundy’s record in home games to 88-27.
- Make the Cowboys 20-3 in its past 23 games overall, dating back to the 2020 season.
- Make the Cowboys 8-2 in its past 10 and 17-7 in its past 24 games vs. AP Top 25 teams.
- Mark Mike Gundy’s 38th career win vs. AP Top 25 opponents. Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney are the only other active coaches with more wins over AP Top 25 teams at their current schools.
- Make the Cowboys 10-4 in its past 14 games when both teams are ranked in the AP Top 25.
Notable Streaks and Trends Entering the Game
- Spencer Sanders has thrown for 17 touchdowns against just three interceptions in his past 273 pass attempts for an interception rate of 1.1%.
- OSU has won a school-record 12 consecutive home games.
- OSU has won three of its past four road games.
- OSU has held nine of its past 18 opponents under 100 yards rushing.
- OSU has held 25 of its past 27 Big 12 opponents under their season scoring average.
- OSU has won 81 consecutive games when holding its opponent to fewer than 20 points, dating back to Sept. 13, 2003 – the longest active stretch of time in the FBS and longest since at least 1980.
- OSU has held its opponent scoreless on its game-opening drive in 27 of its past 37 games.
- OSU has held its opponent to less than a 50% third down conversion rate in 30 of its past 31 games.
- OSU is 32-13 in its past 45 games decided by fewer than 10 points.
- OSU is 43-7 in its past 50 games when leading at halftime, dating back to Sept. 17, 2016.
- Dating back to 2005, OSU is 45-4 when not committing a turnover.
- Dating back to 2008, OSU is 72-8 when winning the turnover battle.
- OSU has forced 35 turnovers in its past 24 games.
- Over the past 31 games, OSU has held opponents to 129-for-467 (27.6%) on third down.