Three Things We Know About Oklahoma State After 11 Games

With just one regular season game left in Oklahoma State’s year and the biggest Bedlam matchup since, well, last year this Saturday, I thought we would take a look at three things we’re pretty sure we know about the Cowboys after three months of football.

Kyle Porter

1. The Ground Game Is Back

Kyle Cox outlined it well in this post. OSU is averaging just 4.4 yards per carry on the season but 6.6 (!) in its last three games against Kansas State, Texas Tech and TCU. The Wildcats and Frogs are both in the top 35 in yards per carry against on the ground so it’s not like you were racking up empty yards against Kansas.

This has been a startling revelation for somebody (me) who had just completely written off the fact that OSU would have a good running game again until at least 2017. Gundy is getting it all, too, because this is how he loves to play. Run the rock, protect your QB, get turnovers, and let the mullet ride.

2. We won’t get a 2014 Repeat

There will be no Tyreek Hill remix this year in Bedlam because Oklahoma State’s punt and kick return game is not very good. They are averaging a decent 10+ yards per punt return (No. 28 in the nation) but only have 14 returns on the season (because they’re all fair caught or fumbled). On kickoffs, OSU is No. 107 in the country averaging fewer than 19 yards per return.

3. The Cowboys can win in multiple ways

This might be my favorite thing I’ve learned this season. Gone are the days where it was Rudolph2Washington and pray. In are the days of this week we’ll win with turnovers, now we’ll win by churning and burning on the ground, now we’ll climb on Mason’s back, now we’ll let the Ice Pirate shut it down.

This team’s versatility has grown monumentally as the season has worn on. Oh, and I forgot one. Now we’ll truck stick you and run out the clock.

Kyle Boone

1. This team can win in tight games

This seems to be a theme with Mike Gundy’s teams over the past two years — a theme that at the beginning of the year seemed to have flipped for them with a “loss” to CMU and Baylor. But of the games decided by a touchdown or less this year, they are 4-1. Last year? 4-0. That’s more than just luck, that’s a team mindset that’s been instilled by the coaches that no matter the score, it’s not over until the MAC officials award an untimed down and there’s always time to make a run.

2. Chris Carson is really that dude

I got a lot of criticism for buying a lot of stock in Chris Carson in the preseason, but he’s been the perfect complement to Justice Hill in the backfield since returning from his early season injury. Whether it’s his health that has helped him return to JUCO form, or an attitude — he’s looked every bit the back that OSU recruited and stole from Georgia in the recruiting process. The guy ended a game with a walk-off first down and took a knee after pummeling a dude! With runs like this, OU will have a difficult time stopping him in Norman.

Here is another look at Chris Carson truck-sticking the entire DFW metroplex. pic.twitter.com/caf8gUbicq

— Pistols Firing (@pistolsguy) November 19, 2016

3. Mike Yurcich has proven he’s the most improved

Glenn Spencer is a folk-hero, but Mike has proven to be OSU’s most invaluable coach. An improvement targeted from last year’s rushing woes was to reach 125 yards rushing per game. Headed into Bedlam, they average 165 yards per game, which ranks 79th nationally.

He’s done that while helping call the sixth best passing offense in the country. It helps when you have one of the best freshmen tailbacks in Oklahoma State history. He has worked his way into one of 40 nominees for the Broyles Award, given to the top assistant football coach. And he’s proven that he deserves the praise.