Running on Empty: Why Oklahoma State’s Desperation May Not Be Enough Against Houston

It’s strange to call a Week 6 game a must-win, but that’s exactly where Oklahoma State finds itself.

The Cowboys are desperate, wounded, and searching for something — anything — that looks like progress as they prepare to face Houston on Saturday in Stillwater. But after a four-game losing streak and a 13-game drought against FBS opponents dating back to last season, desperation alone might not be enough to pull the Cowboys out of their spiral.

At this point, Oklahoma State isn’t just trying to win a football game. It’s trying to stop the bleeding.

Since the departure of longtime head coach Mike Gundy, interim coach Doug Meacham has been tasked with stabilizing a program that’s lost its identity on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately, five games into the 2025 season, the Cowboys remain without rhythm, without confidence, and without a quarterback who can take control of the offense.

The Pokes have lost four straight — including a blowout in Tucson last week — and none of those defeats have been particularly close. Even their narrowest loss, a late rally against Tulsa, came after trailing by double digits heading into the fourth quarter. Simply put, Oklahoma State has spent most of the fall chasing games instead of dictating them.

And now, they’ll have to do it again without their starting quarterback.

Sophomore Zane Flores, who had replaced injured starter Hauss Hejny, is now sidelined himself with an upper-body injury suffered against Arizona. Meacham confirmed Monday that Flores is “probably not going to participate this week,” adding yet another wrinkle to an already chaotic season.

That means Oklahoma State’s offense — which ranks among the worst in the Big 12 in both total yards and scoring — will now turn to either Sam Jackson V or Banks Bowen. Jackson, a transfer from Auburn who has also played receiver this year, brings explosive athleticism and the ability to extend plays. Bowen, a redshirt freshman and son of interim defensive coordinator Clint Bowen, offers a steadier hand and a more traditional approach.

Neither has much in-game experience, which makes Saturday’s 11 a.m. kickoff against Houston as unpredictable as any OSU game in recent memory. Whether Meacham chooses one quarterback or rotates both, it’s hard to see this offense suddenly springing to life overnight.

The Cowboys have scored just 68 points in their last four contests combined — an average of 17 per game — while surrendering nearly 43. Those numbers don’t suggest a team one adjustment away from a turnaround.

As inconsistent as the offense has been, the defense hasn’t done much to lighten the load.

In Big 12 play, Oklahoma State has allowed 45 and 41 points in consecutive games. Opponents have consistently exposed OSU’s tackling issues, run fits, and lack of depth in the secondary.

Interim defensive coordinator Clint Bowen stepped into a brutal situation midseason, inheriting a unit short on confidence and communication. While he may eventually provide structure, there’s only so much that can be fixed in one or two weeks.

Houston quarterback Conner Weigman could be the latest to take advantage. The Texas A&M transfer has already thrown for 910 yards and six touchdowns with just two interceptions this year, while adding 148 yards and four rushing scores on the ground. Against an OSU defense that’s allowed nearly 200 rushing yards per game in Big 12 play, Weigman’s mobility might be a nightmare matchup.

“Conner’s done a really good job of extending plays and making good decisions,” Houston head coach Willie Fritz said this week. “He’s protecting the football, and that’s a big reason we’ve been successful.”

Adding intrigue to Saturday’s game is the return of a familiar face: Stephon Johnson Jr.

The Houston wideout began his career in Stillwater, catching passes for Oklahoma State during the 2022 season before transferring. Now, he’s one of the Cougars’ biggest big-play threats.

Through five games, Johnson has 10 receptions for 261 yards — a staggering 26.1 yards per catch, the best average in the Big 12. If the Cowboys’ secondary continues to give up explosive plays, Johnson could be the latest former player to make them regret what they lost.

Houston also boasts a ball-hawking secondary led by Zelmar Vedder, who leads the Big 12 with six pass breakups. With OSU likely starting an inexperienced quarterback, Vedder could have a field day. Add in his knack for forcing turnovers — including a strip fumble earlier this year — and the Cowboys’ margin for error shrinks even more.

With uncertainty at quarterback, Oklahoma State’s best hope might be to simplify the plan: run the ball and shorten the game.

Running backs Rodney Fields Jr. and Trent Howland have shown flashes of potential, but neither has been able to carry the load consistently. Fields led OSU in rushing last week with just 31 yards, while Howland finished with negative yardage on four carries.

Those numbers won’t cut it, but there’s a glimmer of hope. Houston’s rush defense ranks around 65th nationally, nowhere near as stout as Arizona’s top-25 unit that overwhelmed OSU last weekend. If the Cowboys can establish some early success on the ground, it could open up play-action and make life easier for whoever starts at quarterback.

Still, that’s easier said than done. OSU’s offensive line has struggled to create consistent push, and opposing defenses have had no problem collapsing the pocket. Even if the Cowboys can run the ball more effectively, sustaining drives and finishing in the red zone have been ongoing issues.

A Stadium Searching for Energy

There was a time when Boone Pickens Stadium was one of the loudest and most intimidating environments in college football. That time feels distant now.

Crowds have thinned, the energy has faded, and the sense of direction is missing. After a near sellout against Tulsa earlier in the season, attendance dipped significantly for the Big 12 opener versus Baylor — a reflection of fans’ growing frustration.

With another early kickoff, an 0–3 record in conference play, and a double-digit underdog line against Houston, it’s fair to wonder how many will show up on Saturday. For a team trying to manufacture any kind of spark, the lack of atmosphere could make things even tougher.

The odds are stacked against Oklahoma State. Houston has the more stable quarterback, the deeper roster, and a coach who’s built early-season momentum. The Cougars are 4–1 and looking to bounce back from their first loss — a 36–25 setback to Texas Tech.

For OSU, this game is less about postseason hopes and more about pride. It’s about showing fight, discipline, and a little belief after a brutal stretch that’s tested everyone in the program.

If there’s one silver lining, it’s that college football can be unpredictable. One big turnover, one special teams play, or one breakout performance could flip the script. But based on what we’ve seen so far, that kind of magic feels more like wishful thinking than a game plan.