OKLAHOMA STATE PASS OFFENSE vs TEXAS PASS DEFENSE
This has been a fairly effective Oklahoma State passing offense, but it’s not up to the usual standards people expect from the Cowboys. It definitely has been up and down. The passing game has put up gaudy stats at times, but in Oklahoma State’s three conference losses, the second half statistics in games have been pretty brutal. Against Texas Tech, K-State and Iowa State, it’s been a marked difference in the first-half and second-half stats in those games. Quarterback Taylor Cornelius does throw well on the run, especially to his right, but OSU hasn’t featured that for some reason. Tylan Wallace looks like he could develop into the next great OSU receiver. He leads the team in most every receiving category and is second in the Big 12 in receiving yards per game.
Edge – Texas *
OKLAHOMA STATE RUSH OFFENSE vs TEXAS RUSH DEFENSE
Justice Hill is one of the best backs in the league and Texas will need to account for him on every single play. He’s fourth in the league, averaging just under 100 yards rushing per game, and he’s averaging a healthy 6.1 yards per attempt. What’s more impressive is that Hill is not getting any help from the offensive line, but he’s still being productive without many holes to run through. Freshman Chuba Hubbard is more of a speedster in the Tyreke Hill mold, although not quite as fast (who is?). He’s a potential game-breaker if he shakes free, but he’s not getting the ball in space a lot. J.D. King, the third back, is a bigger back that has seen a fair bit of action.
Edge – Oklahoma State *
OKLAHOMA STATE OFFENSIVE LINE vs TEXAS DEFENSIVE LINE
The real story with OSU’s passing game and running game is all the same … the Cowboys don’t really run block well or pass block well. The unit is probably a little better at pass protection, but the line has made it tough on Cornelius to have any success in the pocket. Left tackle Teven Jenkins, left guard Marcus Keyes and right guard Larry Williams have played well in the past and all have experience, it’s just not working for them this year for whatever reason. Truthfully, the offensive line has been an issue for OSU for the past several years, going back to when Joe Wickline departed.
Edge – Texas ***
OKLAHOMA STATE PASS DEFENSE vs TEXAS PASS OFFENSE
Oklahoma State is eighth in the conference in pass defense, dead last in pass efficiency defense. Needless to say, this should be an area Texas can exploit. The weakness for OSU’s secondary is that it’s really young in the back end. The Cowboys are running three safeties now, which is new for them. Kenneth Edison-McGruder is the one experienced player back there, a senior with starting experience. Outside of him, Kolby Peel, a freshman, and Jarrick Bernard, another freshman, start at the other two safety spots. They’ve had some problematic breakdowns in coverage, with guys running free. OSU is a little more experienced at corner with A.J. Green and Rodarius Williams.
Edge – Texas **
OKLAHOMA STATE RUN DEFENSE vs TEXAS RUN OFFENSE
Oklahoma State’s run defense has been pretty solid, ranking fifth in the Big 12 in yards given up per game. The Cowboys are giving up just 3.6 yards per carry. Only Iowa State and Oklahoma are better in the Big 12. OSU did recently lose DT Darrion Daniels for the season, which will have an impact. Overall though, the run defense has been pretty good. The defensive line has lots of experience and Justin Phillips at linebacker has been very good against the run. Linebacker Calvin Bundage can be a bit of a liability in run defense and is not always sound with his assignments.
Edge – Oklahoma State*
OKLAHOMA STATE DEFENSIVE LINE vs TEXAS OFFENSIVE LINE
OSU’s defensive line has been effective at times rushing the passer, getting a lot of contact and knockdowns on the quarterback. Oklahoma State has recorded 30 sacks on the year, a whopping 10 more than the second best team in the conference. Defensive end Jordan Brailford (8 sacks) has been the standout of this group, but they’ve all been pretty good across the board. Calvin Bundage as a linebacker has been used as a rusher effectively.
Edge – Oklahoma State *
SPECIAL TEAMS
OSU’s punting has been inconsistent but it still averages 5 net yards more than Texas per punt. Zach Sinor was one of the best in the country in the past, but has struggled at times this year. The coverage units have been decent and haven’t allowed any big busts. The return units are just average, nothing special so far. Kicker Matt Ammendola has been solid.
Edge – Oklahoma State *
