Oklahoma State Cowboys: By the Numbers

The stakes are completely different in 2022, however this yr’s Bedlam has all of the makings of a back-and-forth affair.

Each Oklahoma (5-5 total, 2-5 Massive 12) and Oklahoma State (7-3, 4-3) have underachieved preseason expectations.

The Cowboys have needed to fend off the harm bug since an early Week 4 bye week, and star quarterback Spencer Sanders seems to be carrying an harm down the house stretch of the season.

On the opposite sideline, the Sooners have struggled to shut out shut video games in Brent Venables’ first yr in cost.

In convention play Oklahoma has suffered defeats to Kansas State, Baylor and West Virginia by a mixed 13 factors. Even worse, premature penalties and misfired from the offense at essential moments have value OU, because the staff feels they’ve left quite a bit on the sector this season.

However a yr’s value of struggles can fall to the wayside in a rivalry sport.

Oklahoma State got here from behind within the fourth quarter final yr to down the Sooners 37-33 in what was billed as doubtlessly the final Bedlam soccer contest ever at Boone Pickens Stadium, and now Mike Gundy and his staff will descend on Norman trying to make it two straight over OU.

289.8

The departure of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and NFL expertise on the second stage has taken it’s toll on OSU’s protection.

Underneath the steerage of Derek Mason, the Cowboys rank useless final within the Massive 12 in whole protection.

Oklahoma State is giving up 452.9 yards per sport, which ranks No. 121-nationally, largely on account of an terrible passing protection.

OSU is permitting opposing groups to throw for 289.8 yards per sport, which is No. 128 out of 131 within the FBS.

Final week, the Sooners had an analogous benefit. West Virginia’s passing protection additionally ranked among the many worst within the nation.

A mixture of chilly and wet climate situations paired with drops, overthrows and key penalties meant that OU couldn’t exploit the Mountaineers’ weak spot.

It will likely be chilly once more in Norman on Saturday evening, however in any other case the situations shouldn’t hamper the Oklahoma passing assault, placing the stress on quarterback Dillon Gabriel to have an improved efficiency for the Sooners.

28.8

Regardless of OSU’s struggles at massive defensively, the Cowboys had nonetheless performed wonderful situational soccer.

Oklahoma State is simply permitting groups to transform on 28.8 % of third downs this season, which is the ninth-best mark within the nation.

In two of their three one-possession losses this yr, the Sooners have struggled on third down.

Kansas State held OU’s offense to 4-of-13 on the essential down and West Virginia stifled Oklahoma on third downs, holding the Jeff Lebby’s offense to 1-of-11 for the sport.

The Sooners have been capable of execute in opposition to Baylor, changing 10-of-15 makes an attempt on third down, and so they’ll look to recapture these ranges of effectivity in opposition to the Cowboys.

3.70

In shut video games, each little element issues.

Final week, the Sooners drew flags on the worst instances, serving to West Virginia keep on the sector and restrict the OU offense.

An offensive go interference took a Brayden Willis landing off the board and Oklahoma needed to accept a subject purpose.

R Mason Thomas sacked WVU quarterback Garret Greene to pin the Mountaineers effectively behind the chains, however a face masks penalty wiped away the great play for OU.

Dealing with a fourth-and-1, the Sooners had a false begin, and Gabriel’s go on the guaranteeing fourth-and-6 was batted down on the line of scrimmage.

C.J. Coldon picked off Garret Greene on fourth-and-15, however Gracen Halton jumped offside and wiped away the turnover. Greene then transformed on fourth-and-10 to assist bury Oklahoma late within the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma State hasn’t had these points all yr lengthy, regardless of shedding loads of starters to harm.

Getting into the weekend, OSU ranks second within the nation in fewest penalties per sport, averaging 3.7 infractions per week. Solely Navy has been higher this yr at limiting penalties, and the Cowboys’ self-discipline may show to be the distinction if OU struggles prefer it did final week.

Kickoff between the Sooners and the Cowboys is scheduled for six:30 p.m. on Saturday from Gaylord Household-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, and the sport will likely be broadcast on ABC.

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