Oklahoma
Will Oklahoma State football offense show new life at BYU? Here’s a look at key matchups
PROVO, Utah — While Oklahoma State’s struggles during its three-game losing streak have become predictable, the Cowboys come into this week’s game with at least a little mystery.
Who will be quarterback? What schematic changes were made during the bye week?
OSU (3-3, 0-3 Big 12) needs something to look different when they take on No. 13 BYU (6-0, 3-0) at 9:15 p.m. Friday at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Can the Cowboys pull off another midseason turnaround, like they did after a 2-2 start last year?
It’ll take a significant reboot, but coach Mike Gundy and his staff have often shown a knack for shaking things up during a bye week.
Here’s a look at the matchup breakdown:
More: Mike Gundy ‘got head-butted’ by cow on Oklahoma State football bye week
When OSU runs the ball
BYU isn’t the best run defense around, so maybe Ollie Gordon II can find a few holes. Gordon has begun to show signs of breaking loose, but still is looking for his first run of at least 30 yards this season. The offensive line needed the extra week of preparation as much as anyone and must show a consistent ability to open holes for Gordon. Opponents are averaging 120 rushing yards per game against the Cougars.
When OSU throws the ball
The bigger question remains, who will be throwing the ball? Gundy said he and his staff would make a decision after Thursday’s practice, though redshirt sophomore Garret Rangel seems the likely candidate to run the show. Rangel has never had two consecutive weeks to prepare for a starting assignment — with the exception of the bowl game in 2022 after a dozen teammates had entered the transfer portal.
More: Oklahoma State football unveils game time, TV for Cowboys’ Week 9 game vs. Baylor
When BYU runs the ball
Here’s the question that looms over the OSU defense like a plague. The Pokes rank 129th nationally against the run, giving up 235.0 yards per game. Though BYU hasn’t been wildly impressive, it has shown efficiency when it runs the ball. And for opponents of the Cowboys so far, that has turned into big plays. With linebackers Nick Martin and Collin Oliver out for a considerable amount of time, defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo has to adjust within the framework of the talent he has to make the run defense more effective.
When BYU throws the ball
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff isn’t a world-beater, but he’s an adequate passer and a veteran who understands how to operate the Cougars’ offensive scheme. He’s completing 60.3% of his passes for an average of 237.7 yards per game. The OSU secondary has been better than it was last year at limiting big pass plays, but there’s always room for improvement.
OSU at BYU
KICKOFF: 9:15 p.m. Friday at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah (ESPN)
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City’s Mark Daigneault earns spot as head coach in 2025 NBA All-Star Game
• Get NBA League Pass TODAY
• NBA All-Star 2025: Complete coverage
• NBA All-Star Voting is now open!
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault will coach one of the four teams in the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, which will take place on Sunday, Feb. 16 at Chase Center in San Francisco and air at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.
By virtue of Oklahoma City’s 127-101 victory over the Brooklyn Nets tonight, the Thunder (35-7, .833) clinched the best record in the Western Conference through games played on Sunday, Feb. 2. As a result, Daigneault has earned a spot as a head coach in the NBA All-Star Game for the first time. In addition, an assistant coach from Daigneault’s staff will serve as a head coach for another of the NBA All-Star teams.
The two remaining head coaching spots in the NBA All-Star Game will be filled by the head coach and an assistant coach from the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference through games played on Feb. 2.
The 2025 NBA All-Star Game features a new mini-tournament with four teams and three games. Three teams will be made up of NBA All-Star selections, and the fourth team will be the champion of the Castrol Rising Stars competition on Friday, Feb. 14.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report Against Brooklyn Nets
On Sunday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder will host D’Angelo Russell and the Brooklyn Nets.
For the game, they have announced their injury report (updated as of 4:30 Eastern Time).
The Thunder have ruled out Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell and Nikola Topic.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams are both listed as questionabel.
The status of Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander will have major implications on the game.
They are averaging a combined 52.2 points and 11.2 assists per contest.
Gilgeous-Alexander missed the team’s last game, so this would be his second straight out of action (if he doesn’t play).
Via OKC Thunder Stats: “Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 36 straight games with 20+ points scored. That is the longest active streak in the NBA and 1 behind his career-high streak of 37 games.
It is the 45th longest streak in NBA history.”
The Thunder have had an incredible start to the 2024-25 NBA season.
They are the first seed in the Western Conference with a 34-7 record in 41 games.
Following the Nets, the Thunder will play their next game on Wednesday when they host John Collins and the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.
As for the Nets, they have had a tough season.
They are 14-28 record in 42 games, which has them as the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference.
Following the Thunder, the Nets will return home to host Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks on Tuesday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Oklahoma
Injury-Riddled Nets-Thunder Contest Should Prove Fortunate for Oklahoma City
The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered its second loss in six games on Friday night, succumbing to the Dallas Mavericks without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on hand.
A 106-98 defeat, OKC missed the scoring impact of Gilgeous-Alexander’s as nobody in the lineup reached 20 points, with Jalen Williams being the high scorer with 19 points on 22 shots. That couldn’t quite get the job done, even when winning the rebounding and turnover battles.
The Thunder now sets its focus on its upcoming opponent, the Brooklyn Nets. This could potentially be another night without Gilgeous-Alexander as he’s listed as a game-time decision before the team’s contest on Sunday evening.
But beyond that, a slew of impactful players for both teams will be sitting on the bench due to injury. For the Nets, it’s Cameron Johnson, Cam Thomas and Bojan Bogdanovic, among others. Johnson is the only player listed as questionable for Sunday night’s bout.
On Oklahoma City’s side, Isaiah Hartenstein still remains on the sideline with a calf strain, Chet Holmgren is yet to return from his hip fracture, and Ajay Mitchell’s toe injury has him out for the foreseeable months. All the while, Gilgeous-Alexander could possibly be coaching from the bench as well.
Though, this is a Brooklyn team who doesn’t frighten the Thunder. A 14-28 team, Oklahoma City will look to come inside Paycom Center with an edge as the team looks to recoup from its loss to Dallas just a couple nights prior. The Thunder has lost two consecutive games just once this season, and should be refined heading into Sunday to not make it happen twice.
Williams will have to take the scoring reigns and prove to be more efficient offensively in Gilgeous-Alexander’s absence. Working without three of his right hand men, this is where Williams can separate himself and showcase his ability to win a game as the primary point of leadership on Sunday night.
Want to join the discussion? Like Thunder on SI on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.
-
Science1 week ago
Metro will offer free rides in L.A. through Sunday due to fires
-
Technology1 week ago
Amazon Prime will shut down its clothing try-on program
-
Technology1 week ago
L’Oréal’s new skincare gadget told me I should try retinol
-
Technology5 days ago
Super Bowl LIX will stream for free on Tubi
-
Business6 days ago
Why TikTok Users Are Downloading ‘Red Note,’ the Chinese App
-
Technology3 days ago
Nintendo omits original Donkey Kong Country Returns team from the remaster’s credits
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump to be sentenced in New York criminal trial
-
Culture2 days ago
American men can’t win Olympic cross-country skiing medals — or can they?