Colorado’s trip to Oklahoma State on Oct. 24 comes with a different kind of spotlight than the one that has followed the Buffaloes through a 0-3 start against top 25 teams in 2026. They’ve already pushed No. 10 Utah hard, losing 27-24 on Oct. 17, but they now run into a Cowboys team that may be 4-2 and out of the rankings while still carrying one of the biggest quarterback buzzes in the country.
That buzz centers on Drew Mestemaker, who has gone from not starting in high school to becoming a projected first-round NFL Draft name in just three years. Matthew Postins of Oklahoma State on SI said the attention is impossible to ignore, especially with some mock drafts placing Mestemaker as high as No.
- He also pointed to how quickly Mestemaker has become central to the entire program.
“He faces one of the most intriguing decisions when it comes to leaving early. He wasn't a starting quarterback in high school and three years later, he's one of the hottest quarterbacks in the country.
It's hard to get away from the hype, especially when some mock drafts have him going as high as No. 2.
His impact has been across the program. ”
Postins said the Cowboys may not have had a quarterback this talented in a long time, adding that the closest comparison might be Mason Rudolph. Mestemaker fits the Air Raid cleanly, with quick processing, fast reads and a knack for limiting mistakes - though Postins also noted the six interceptions, which head coach Eric Morris has acknowledged after Mestemaker threw nine all of last season.
“The Cowboys haven't had this talented a quarterback in quite some time. You could debate that maybe the last one this talented was Mason Rudolph.
The Air Raid is perfect for him [Mestemaker]. He's a quick decision maker, breaks down defenses quickly and makes few mistakes, though the six interceptions are troubling and head coach Eric Morris has acknowledged that.
He threw nine all of last season.”
If Mestemaker leaves after this year, Postins said the effect could still echo through the program because of what it would mean for how Morris recruits quarterbacks in the future. He pointed to Morris’s time coaching Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech as a recruiting calling card, and said Mestemaker could end up serving the same role.
“If he goes to the NFL after this season, his impact will be on what Morris can bring into the program at the position, either in the prep ranks or in the transfer portal. Morris coached Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech.
A decade later Mahomes is still a calling card for that program in terms of recruiting quarterbacks. Mestemaker could have that same impact, whether he comes back in 2027 or not.”
Postins also believes Morris is ahead of schedule in his rebuild. He said there’s a real energy around Oklahoma State again, something that had been missing.
“I'd say so. There is definitely a buzz around the program that hasn't been there in a couple of years.”
He tied that to Mike Gundy’s final two seasons, saying talent dipped because Gundy was less willing to embrace the transfer portal and NIL than some other coaches. Morris, who is 40, has taken the opposite approach, and Postins said the school’s donors have been more willing to help as well.
“[Coach] Mike Gundy's final two years were marked by a decline in talent because he wasn't as willing to embrace the transfer portal and NIL as other coaches. Morris, who is only 40 years old, is far more willing to use the modern tools available and the program's donors have been more willing to help than at the end of Gundy's tenure.”
He added that the offense itself helps sell the vision.
“It helps that he calls the most offensive friendly scheme in football. But, having been a former Big 12 player and coach at Texas Tech, he knows how important football is to Oklahoma State and has embraced being the coach that can turn it around.
At 4-2 so far I actually think they're right on schedule on the field. Off the field, they're well ahead of schedule.”
Colorado will also have to sort through a Cowboys offense that has multiple problems for a defense to chase. Postins described Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins and wide receiver Wyatt Young as the core trio, then added a couple more names that can pop if given room.
“[Coach] Deion Sanders played with the Triplets in Dallas - Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin. These Cowboys have their own in Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins and wide receiver Wyatt Young.”
“Hawkins is a workhorse who can catch passes out of the backfield. Young is a slot receiver with quickness and great route-running. Plus, there is 6-5 wide receiver Justin Bowick, who is not only their top red zone threat but has the speed to stretch the field.
“Miles Coleman and Terrence Lewis are under-the-radar threats that can break a short pass for big yardage fast.”
The other side of the matchup may give Colorado a path. Postins said Oklahoma State’s defense against dual-threat quarterbacks has been uneven, which matters with Colorado’s Isaac Wilson on deck.
After the West Virginia game, he would have said the Cowboys handled that style well. After Houston’s Conner Weigman threw five touchdown passes, he changed his view.
“If you had asked me that after the West Virginia game when they faced Michael Hawkins, I would have said well. But after giving up five touchdown passes to Houston's Conner Weigman - who has that same ability - I'd say it's a mixed bag.”
Postins said the Cowboys missed key tackles against Houston and also had to adjust after losing Mose Phillips III for the season. Evan Jackson stepped into a full game, but Phillips’ absence mattered because of what he brought to the back end.
“The Cowboys failed to contain Weigman for two reasons. First, they didn't make the key tackles at the key moments like they did against West Virginia and Hawkins. Second, the secondary was without Mose Phillips III, who is now out for the season, and they had to learn to play with Evan Jackson for a full game.”
“Jackson is a better cover safety. But Phillips helped keep the unit on the same page. The Cowboys have to cover better this week.”
That secondary remains the spot Colorado may try to attack. Postins said the Cowboys struggled to stay with receivers on the sideline, and that Houston made plenty of hay there. He also said Oklahoma State is unlikely to bring consistent pressure, so early zone looks could be part of the plan.
“The secondary is going to be that area. The unit struggled to keep up with receivers on the sideline and that's where his [Weigman's] receivers did a lot of their damage.”
“OSU didn't have a great answer for tight end Patrick Overmyer, but he didn't hurt them the way he hurt Kansas State two weeks ago. Oklahoma State isn't going to get a lot of pressure on the quarterback, so expect the Cowboys to lean heavily on some zone early to try and keep Wilson from airing it out.
“UCF employed a short passing game and it worked for three quarters. CU's best bet is to get it behind the secondary.”
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