No. 18 Oklahoma State heads into Saturday’s Big 12 matchup with UCF riding real momentum and carrying the look of a team that belongs in the conference race.
The Cowboys are 3-1 overall and 1-0 in league play after a three-game surge that was capped by a 41-24 win at West Virginia on Sept. 26. That result pushed Oklahoma State up one spot in The Associated Press Top 25 poll during its bye week, after the Cowboys cracked the rankings on Sept. 27 for the first time since 2024.
That win in Morgantown came with a full offensive showcase. Drew Mestemaker threw for a season-high 389 yards and three touchdowns, Caleb Hawkins powered the ground game with 180 rushing yards and a score, and Wyatt Young caught eight passes for 192 yards and a touchdown. Oklahoma State also had to dig out of an early 14-3 hole before taking control.
Mestemaker’s passing numbers have climbed in each of the last three games, but UCF presents a tougher challenge through the air. The Knights rank 27th nationally in pass efficiency defense, so the Cowboys may need another efficient all-around performance to keep the streak rolling.
“I've been seeing the field a lot better this year than I did last year,” Mestemaker said. “I've been able to see the full picture of the defense and what the defense is trying to get to. I think I would scramble out of the pocket too quick last year.
“I just feel so confident in the offense right now that I feel like whenever I check (into or out of) plays, I feel really good about making them.”
UCF arrives in Stillwater at 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big 12 after a 27-17 loss at then-No. 20 Houston on Saturday. The Knights led 17-0 with six minutes left in the third quarter before the Cougars ripped off the final 27 points of the game.
Keyone Jenkins put together a career day anyway, throwing for 253 yards and a touchdown while also running for a score. He has been filling in for Alonza Barnett III, UCF’s No. 1 quarterback, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury. On Monday, Scott Frost said he “doesn't think” Barnett will be back against Oklahoma State.
That uncertainty has shaped the way UCF is playing on offense. With Jenkins under center and injuries piling up on both sides of the ball, the Knights have leaned conservative.
“It kills me not to let it rip, but we got to make the decision (based on) what's best for the football team,” Frost said. “It's more my personality to go fast, let it rip, try to make plays. That being said, we've got a defense that does a good job of getting turnovers and timely stops, and we don't want to put them out on the field forever.
“When you have so much uncertainty on who's available and who's not, it's a challenge. You want a game plan to get certain guys the ball, and when you're not sure if you're going to have them or not, you've got to look somewhere else.”
UCF has taken the first two meetings between the programs, including last season’s 17-14 win in Orlando.
In Other News...
Braylin Presley Is Back But Oklahoma State Still Has One Big UCF Question
Braylin Presley is back on Oklahoma States electronic roster, giving the Cowboys another familiar name to sort through as they turn their attention to UCF. Presley had already spent a season in Stillwater before transferring to Tulsa, where he split time between wide receiver and running back, and his return adds a layer of intrigue to a depth chart that is still taking shape. Head coach Eric Morris is expected to address how Presley fits in, which should help clarify where the Cowboys see him in the offense.
For now, the bigger question is less about the paperwork and more about the role. Presleys next step will be figuring out how quickly he can get up to speed and whether he can carve out a real workload right away, especially in a backfield that could use another versatile option. Oklahoma State knows what he was before, but what he looks like now and how much of him the staff can use against UCF remains the part still waiting to be answered. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State May Finally Have Relief At A Troubled Spot
Left tackle has been one of the more unsettled spots for Oklahoma State this season, but help may finally be on the way. Head coach Eric Morris said Braydon Nelson, the North Texas transfer who has been working back from offseason knee surgery, has practiced recently and is expected to be available in some capacity when the Cowboys face UCF.
Nelson has not played this season, but his return would give Oklahoma State a needed option at a position group that has been under pressure. He is listed on the depth chart at both tackle spots, while Shaun Torgeson and Ashton Lepo are slated to start, leaving the Cowboys with a little more flexibility as they try to stabilize the edge of the offensive line. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma States Secondary Rebuild Suddenly Hinges On A Key Recruiting Push
Oklahoma States efforts to shore up its future in the secondary have turned into a notable recruiting battle, with the Cowboys making a push for a cornerback they view as a fit for their 2027 class. The program has identified the position as a clear area of need down the road, and an offer has already gone out as part of that pursuit.
The target is committed elsewhere for now, which only raises the stakes for Oklahoma State as it tries to stay in the mix. A campus visit is expected soon, and the Cowboys will be hoping the atmosphere around their upcoming game gives them a chance to make a stronger impression as they work to pull the talented defensive back into their plans. [Read more 🡒]