Written by Ryan Palencer at Bloguin
When do we start believing in Oklahoma State and the Big 12?
The popular choice would be after Saturday’s 20-point beatdown of TCU, but the Cowboys have been flying under the radar in the conference all season. The TCU game could make them the flavor of the week, but when do they officially crack the list of contenders?
The Cowboys were an 8-0 unbeaten coming into the game, but were still ranked just 14 in the open rankings in the College Football Playoff standings.
While many point to the defense being an issue for Oklahoma State, the Texas Tech game everyone points to appears to be an anomaly. Though the defense allowed 53 points and 642 yards against the Red Raiders, the Cowboys have generally kept other offenses in check.
Oklahoma State ranks 62nd in total defense, allowing 391 yards per game and 27 touchdowns. If the Texas Tech game was taken out, the defense has allowed 359.6 yards per game. This would raise the unit all the way up to 40th in the FBS.
The offense for Oklahoma State has been dynamic most of the season, and seems to be hitting its stride at the most important part of the season. The unit, led by Mason Rudolph, has scored 58, 70, and 49 in three straight weeks. He also has an eight-to-one touchdown-to-interception ratio while completing a scorching 67 percent of his passes in that span of time. In those same three games, Rudolph has tossed for 305, 285, and 352 yards. In the previous six games, he had exceeded that total only twice.
Though he plays the same position as Rudolph, J.W. Walsh has infused the offense with a different dimension as the second quarterback. Walsh’s 80 rushing yards were huge in the game against Texas Tech when the offense needed something extra. Walsh is a big play machine and has tossed for nine touchdowns in 26 attempts. He has also rushed for eight more scores to help overcome a clear deficiency in the Cowboys’ running game.
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