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The last time Oklahoma State played at Missouri in October 2008, the Cowboys came away with a big upset of a school that appeared poised to be No. 1.
The Cowboys (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) are the big dogs this time around, sixth-ranked and favored by a touchdown to keep their unbeaten season rolling and end Missouri's 10-game home winning streak on Saturday. They're road tested after scoring 38 points at Texas - most in school history - last week.
''I remember watching them on TV and it's just like, `Dang, they're a pretty good offense,''' Missouri defensive end Brad Madison said.
Missouri (3-3, 1-2) beat Iowa State by 35 points last week at home, getting a bit of a breather in a schedule that's only getting tougher. Coming off a four-year stretch that produced 40 victories, the Tigers have yet to win in consecutive weeks and have losses on the road to another pair of unbeatens, Oklahoma and Kansas State.
They're about to get their third shot, beginning a four-game stretch against schools ranked most of the season.
''Our place will be rocking,'' coach Gary Pinkel said. ''Our players are excited about having a great team come in here and play.''
Oklahoma State is fourth in the BCS, best in school history, behind an offense that's the second-most prolific in the nation with a 49-point average. The Cowboys are trying to start 7-0 for the first time since 2008, the year they knocked off unbeaten Missouri 28-23 on the road.
''Everyone thought we were going to lose,'' wide receiver Hubert Anyiam said. ''That was a good confidence booster for this program. Going down to Missouri and playing is going to be hard, but we don't fear the away games.''
For Missouri, the matchup represents an opportunity to get some recognition.
''I think every game's an opportunity for that,'' wide receiver T.J. Moe said. ''Just the game that's in front of you. Certainly, the No. 4 team in the country can't hurt a little bit trying to get a win this week.''
Oklahoma State has enough options on offense that it was able to overcome sub-par games from quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Justin Blackmon in last week's 38-26 victory at Texas. Jeremy Smith had 140 yards on just seven carries with a pair of long scoring runs that increased his touchdown streak to 10 games, and Justin Gilbert had a 100-yard kickoff return.
''It wasn't as smooth as I would have liked, but there were enough good things,'' offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. ''Whether it's them or it's us, we didn't have the same flow, but you're not going to have that every week.''
Missouri is ranked in the top 30 on both sides of the ball. Former heralded recruit Sheldon Richardson gets his start for the Tigers at defensive tackle, stepping in after Terrell Resonno was sidelined by a knee injury last week.
On offense, Missouri will count on sophomores Henry Josey and James Franklin.
Josey began the year third on the depth chart at tailback and has emerged as a star after injuries to Kendial Lawrence and De'Vion Moore. Josey leads the Big 12 with 119.5 yards per game, has three 100-yard efforts the last four games, plus a pair of kickoff returns for 70 yards last week.
Franklin can make plays with his legs but has stayed in the pocket for the most part in his first year as starter. He threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more last week, but also threw two interceptions right into coverage. Missouri's offensive line will now have to control a defense that had five sacks and 13 total tackles for loss last week. Oklahoma State has forced 17 turnovers the last four games.
''Some people may say Oklahoma State's defense isn't as good as Oklahoma's,'' Franklin said. ''But they're still physical, they're still tough and they still play at that kind of level that makes you maybe second-guess how you perform.''
Cowboys cornerback Justin Gilbert said coaches have emphasized staying in coverage against Franklin.
''As long as we hold them up in the back end, we're giving the linemen and linebackers time to get a sack,'' Gilbert said. ''And as long as they're getting a pass rush, they're giving us an opportunity to get a pick, so we depend on each other.''
