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Just about every Big 12 South team had its advocates going into this season, with maybe one exception.
At Oklahoma State, the focus was about the talent and experience that left Stillwater. With just 10 starters returning and a major culture change to the Spread offense, Oklahoma State had the look of a football laboratory with an awful lot of unstable experiments.
Now, the No. 20 Cowboys are 5-0, second in the nation in scoring, fourth in total offense and finally fulfilling the 2009 expectations. While Saturday's Texas at Nebraska matchup may be the game that everybody circled before the season, Oklahoma State's date at Texas Tech could shed the most insight on the South.
The winner of the last two meetings has gone on to play in the AT&T Cotton Bowl. The 2007 game marked the end for Texas Tech defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich and the beginning of Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy, official YouTube legend.
This season, the Cowboys will be trying to accomplish something no Oklahoma State team has done since World War II - win in Lubbock. The streak is now 11 games (0-9-2). Oklahoma State actually has a win over Tech in Tokyo (45-42 in 1988) in that span but not in Lubbock.
"Tokyo or Lubbock?" Gundy said Sunday. "Well, Tokyo is a long ways away. I don't know if I have an answer for that one."
Then again, Oklahoma State has found a lot of solutions. The Cowboys rallied at home to beat Texas A&M and then survived a problematic trip to a Sun Belt opponent, stopping Louisiana-Lafayette, 54-28, Friday
"I like where our team is at right now," said Gundy, whose team has 16 first-time starters this season.
"They've played together as a group. We've had a number of young players who have gotten better over the last five weeks. I think they understand that commitment and focus and preparation are the most important aspects of winning on Saturday."
Quarterback Brandon Weeden, a former Yankees pitching prospect, will celebrate his 27th birthday Thursday knowing he ranks 10th nationally in total offense.
Receiver Justin Blackmon has 47 receptions for 748 yards and 11 touchdowns. He's on pace to exceed Dez Bryant's epic 2008 numbers. Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen, a one-time Mike Leach protégé, didn't dispute a comparison to former Tech standout Michael Crabtree, the gold standard for Spread receivers.
"He's no different," Holgorsen told reporters after the La.-Lafayette win. "You saw it. He's strong, he's smart. Sees the ball the whole time, hands are unbelievably strong. If there's a crowd, he's got the wingspan that can snatch the ball."
Running back Kendall Hunter has proved his injury-plagued 2009 season was an aberration. He ranks fifth nationally in rushing (140 yards a game) and has thrived in the Spread, averaging 6.4 yards a carry.
Last season, the trio of Bryant, Hunter and Zac Robinson drew preseason comparisons to OSU's original offensive triplets - Gundy, Barry Sanders and Hart Lee Dykes. Great expectations never quite meshed with reality.
A year later, the comparisons are starting to come back.
Challenges ahead
Oklahoma State's next three games will be a critical stretch, based on history. The breakdown:
Date Opponent The skinny
Oct. 16 at Texas Tech No wins in Lubbock since FDR was president
Oct. 23 Nebraska Cornhuskers have lost just twice at OSU since 1962
Oct. 30 at Kansas St. OSU has never beaten Bill Snyder in Manhattan
CARLTON'S BIG 12 RANKINGS
Rnk.; Team…Prev.
1. Nebraska…1
(5-0, 1-0)
2. Oklahoma…2
(5-0, 1-0)
3. Oklahoma. St.…3
(5-0, 1-0)
4. Missouri…5
(5-0, 1-0)
5. Texas…6
(3-2, 1-1)
6. T. A&M…7
(3-2, 0-1)
The Aggies will be playing a ranked team for the second straight week when No. 21 Missouri visits Kyle Field. They will also be trying to break an ugly streak. A&M has committed at least four turnovers in four consecutive games.
7. Kansas State…4
(4-1, 1-1)
8. Texas Tech…11
(3-2, 1-2)
9. Baylor…8
(4-2, 1-1)
Before Saturday's 45-38 loss to Texas Tech, Baylor had won 15 consecutive games when scoring 30 or more points. The last time the Bears had lost when scoring 30-plus points was in a 63-31 loss at Texas in 2006.
10. Iowa State…9
(3-3, 1-1)
11. Colorado…10
(3-2, 0-1)
12. Kansas…12
(2-3, 0-1)
DigitalExtra
CHAT with Chuck Carlton about the Big 12 and college football at 11 a.m. Tuesday.
SportsDayDFW.com
