Everything you need to know about the Oklahoma State Cowboys [VIDEO]

Photo Courtesy: SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

This Saturday, the Texas Longhorns will travel to Arlington, TX to take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Big 12 Championship game. Today, watch our Devon Messinger and Dylan DeRaud discuss what makes the Oklahoma State Cowboys who they are in the YouTube video above.

If you also want to watch their discussion surrounding this week’s news that Quinn Ewers is seriously considering a return to the Longhorns in 2024, simply click here.

Messinger’s Scouting Report of the Oklahoma State Offense:

The Oklahoma State offense ranks 48th in overall scoring offense, led by running back Ollie Gordon, the Doak Walker Award favorite. So far this season, Gordon has rushed for 1,580 yards and 20 touchdowns, keeping his team’s Big 12 goals alive. If the Longhorns defensive front can continue to play stout defense and neutralize the threat of Gordon, they will be in a great position to win their first Big 12 Championship since 2009.

At quarterback, Oklahoma State redshirt senior Alan Bowman has had his fair share of ups & downs this season – throwing 10 touchdown passes to 11 interceptions. Additionally, Bowman’s completion percentage is a shade under 60%, showcasing his inconsistency during the regular season of play.

At wide receiver, 5’8″ senior Brennan Presley is the star of the show, tallying 76 receptions for 746 yards and 5 touchdowns. Other than Presley, redshirt junior Rashod Owens is the complementary target with 49 catches for 646 yards and a touchdown. Through and through, while the Cowboys receivers have racked up yards, the unit as a whole has not been a major end zone threat.

Lastly, the offensive line has only allowed 12 sacks this season, tied for 9th place in college football. Of course, they will have their hands full up front against Texas, with T’Vondre Sweat, Byron Murphy and more.

DeRaud’s Scouting Report of the Oklahoma State Defense:

The Oklahoma State defense has struggled in comparison to other teams in the Big 12, currently ranking 13th in the Big 12 and 115th nationally in total yards allowed. With an average of 6.3 yards per play, the unit struggles to contain opposing offenses, resulting in allowing 27.3 points per game. Particularly concerning is the secondary, sitting at 12th in pass yards allowed and 10th in rush yards allowed. Despite these challenges, there are glimpses of promise in the linebacking core. 

Within the linebacker corps, Nickolas Martin shines, leading the Big 12 in total tackles at 120 and contributing significantly with 6 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. Collin Oliver adds impact with 6 sacks and forcing turnovers. In the secondary, the mix of experienced safety Trey Rucker and emerging talents like Kendal Daniels and Cameron Epps highlights a unit in transition. Allowing 251.2 passing yards per game.  Oklahoma State will be looking to mix in plenty of blitzes to manufacture pressure in order to take some strain off the secondary against a solid Texas passing attack.