Oklahoma State has not exactly been living up to its storied past lately. Between last season’s 3-9 finish, an 0-9 Big 12 record, and the gut-wrenching 69-3 blowout loss at Oregon, Cowboy fans have had more reasons to worry than celebrate. Now, with Tulsa coming to Boone Pickens Stadium on Friday night, OSU has a vital opportunity: win No. 5 of the past 14, right the ship a bit, and maybe regain some confidence before conference play begins.
On paper, Tulsa should be beatable. Oklahoma State is a favorite — sportsbooks have the Cowboys at −13.5, a clear nod that OSU is expected to carry the day. The reality has been less certain: OSU failed to cover against UT Martin (when favored by over three touchdowns), and Oregon exposed major weaknesses. Still, this is arguably the softest challenge left before Big 12 play. Beating Tulsa isn’t enough to erase the damage, but failing to dominate would deepen the sense that the Cowboys are stuck.
Weaknesses Must Be Addressed
Coming out of the bye week, the Cowboys need clarity. The QB job is set with freshman Zane Flores stepping in after Hauss Hejny’s injury, but the running back position remains in disarray. OSU’s depth chart lists five running backs with “or” designations for RB1 — Kalib Hicks, Freddie Brock V, Rodney Fields Jr., Trent Howland, and Sesi Vailahi. Hicks leads the carries with 35, but his 3.4 yards per carry is underwhelming compared to Howland’s 5.2 and Vailahi’s 3.6. Fields and Brock bring potential, but potential is not enough on its own.
Oklahoma State needs a lead back, not just for production, but for identity. If leadership on the field is diffused, confusion and inconsistency will persist. And that hurts not only on offense, but in time-management, third downs, clock control — all of which OSU struggled with vs. Oregon.
Coach Gundy’s Complexity and the Call for Simplicity
Perhaps OSU’s most glaring issue is not lack of athleticism, but over-complexity. After the Oregon blowout, Gundy admitted, “It’ll be good for us now to get back to basic football and reprogram these guys… I’m just convinced that we tried to do too much … that pushed us into not being able to execute.”
That phrase — “we tried to do too much” — is at the heart of the problem. New coordinators Doug Meacham (offense) and Todd Grantham (defense) are both capable, but it seems the schemes may have overreached in trying to compete with elite opponents. The players were overwhelmed. The timing of the bye week is fortunate: this is OSU’s chance to simplify, tighten assignments, focus on fundamentals, and restore confidence.
Why Tulsa Is Dangerous (Yes, Really)
Don’t mistake Tulsa for a pushover. The Golden Hurricane are 1-2 this season, but their defense has had moments of strength. Their offense hasn’t been prolific — after their opener vs. Abilene Christian, Tulsa has combined for a mere 37 points in two games. Yet being underestimated can fuel performance. OSU must avoid complacency.
Tulsa has no reason to back down; as rivals and underdogs, they’ll come ready to play. Friday’s blackout game adds atmosphere and energy in Stillwater. For Tulsa, this is a chance to get respect. For OSU, letting them hang around would be embarrassing. Oklahoma State’s spread (−13.5) suggests respect for OSU, but expectations rise with that. Failure to cover won’t just sting fans, it could damage the narrative heading into tougher tests.
What’s On The Line
A win over Tulsa would mean “something and nothing,” depending on how it comes. In isolation, it’s another non-conference win, expected, necessary. But the stakes are higher:
- It would be OSU’s first win over an FBS opponent in over a year.
- It would provide momentum entering Baylor and the deeper part of Big 12 play.
- It would allow Flores to build confidence in front of home fans; allow the defense and running game to regain dignity.
Conversely, a lackluster win, or worse, letting Tulsa stick around, would reinforce that OSU is still far from where it needs to be. Fans will judge not just based on win/loss, but on execution, energy, physicality.
The Bottom Line: A Benchmark, Not Just a Box to Check
Rather than thinking of Friday night as a chance for a blowout or a cathartic “get-right” game, the Cowboys should approach it as a benchmark. Can they execute cleanly on offense? Can they show defensive discipline against a struggling but opportunistic Tulsa attack? Can they identify a lead running back and give Flores a stable pocket?
If the answer to those questions is yes — even if the final score isn’t gaudy — OSU will have taken its first real step toward re-establishing itself as a functioning football program. If not, the noise around Mike Gundy’s future and the program’s direction will only grow louder.
This isn’t about style points anymore; it’s about proof of concept. Friday’s game against Tulsa is less about the scoreboard and more about showing that Oklahoma State still knows who it is and how it wants to play football. That’s the real win the Cowboys need.
Key Storylines to Track
- Who gets the RB1 role? If Howland or Fields can deliver a few physical runs, it could unlock flow elsewhere.
- Flores: First home-game start. How poised is he when trailing or under pressure?
- Defensive response: Tulsa might try to test the line of scrimmage; how OSU adjusts will show if schemes got simpler as Gundy promised.
- Turnovers & discipline: OSU must protect the ball and avoid undisciplined penalties or costly turnovers that Tulsa could exploit.
Oklahoma State has looked broken lately, but this is the game where things could start turning. Tulsa isn’t a guarantee, but the chance to reset is there. The question is whether OSU grabs it — and whether Gundy finally admits that sometimes, less is more.
Matt Hofeld is a college football analyst and contributor covering the Big 12. Follow him for more Oklahoma State and conference-wide analysis throughout the 2025 season.
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