Previewing the Second Half of Oklahoma State’s Schedule

The Cowboys head to Lawrence, Kansas to face a Jayhawk team that will be outmatched and hasn’t won a conference game in nearly two years.

There should be little concern for Cowboys fans as far as final results go. Kansas has beaten Oklahoma State once in the last 20 years, that team being the eventual Orange Bowl winner.

But those days are far gone and this Jayhawk team should do well just to keep up with the Cowboys’ 15th-ranked scoring offense through the first quarter. But we’ve seen things get hairy up there in Lawrence in recent years.

The Cowboys need to go up early and take control of the game. Silence those 22,000 fans (might be generous there) and allow your starters to rest and build confidence for your team heading into the last five games of the season.

As we look past KU — exactly what the Cowboys can’t do — we see a Big 12 “murderer’s row” down the home-stretch of the season. Here’s why OSU can’t afford to make it a close game.

West Virginia – Homecoming

The 12th-ranked Mountaineers have been playing lights-out and remain one of two unbeaten’s in the league and one of just eleven nation-wide. Dana’s squad is showing their defensive prowess as just held Texas Tech to 17 at home for the first time 45 years (that’s a ball-park estimation).

At Kansas State

The Wildcats are always a tough out at home. Oklahoma State has come home empty-handed their last two trips to the “Little Apple”, not winning there since 2010. Even at home, the Cowboys have only won the last two games by a combined six points.

Texas Tech

We know the Red Raiders can score and historically these have been shootouts. Oklahoma State will need to keep up with Tech’s offensive and play at least average on defense to pull this out. The last time OSU lost to the Red Raiders, Mike Leach still had a Lubbock address, but this game is in no way a “gimme”.

At TCU

The Horned Frogs may have disappointed on the defensive front early but probably still deserve to be ranked in the Top 25. Their only losses are to current No. 17 Arkansas by three points and 16th ranked Oklahoma by six.

As the second-leading Big 12 passer, Kenny “Trill”, continues to settle into his role TCU figures to be a very tough road game for the Cowboys by late November, maybe their toughest all year.

At Oklahoma

Oh my. Remember what just I said about TCU? This is going to be another tough one too. OU’s secondary got a little exposed early against the likes of Houston and Ohio State but unfortunately so did Oklahoma State’s.

Whether the Cowboys are still in Big 12 contention or not, this will be the biggest game on the schedule for most and Mason Rudolph will look to continue his undefeated streak against OU …

… Okay, his undefeated streak as a starter.