Oklahoma State and Colorado come into this one carrying a lot of change, and that’s what makes the matchup so interesting. These aren’t the old Big 8 versions of either program.
Eric Morris has Oklahoma State leaning into an Air Raid approach built around getting the ball into the quarterback’s hands and letting it rip, with a running game that can still pop off big gains when defenses get too comfortable. On the other side, Deion Sanders is reworking Colorado yet again, with a new offensive coordinator, a new defensive coordinator and another push to get one of his top recruits from last season to another level.
The biggest swing factor may be Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis. He played only four games last year, but the talent is obvious, and the job is his unless he proves he can’t handle it.
Brennan Marion’s Go-Go offense asks for two things: a strong ground game and a vertical passing attack. That second part depends heavily on the offensive line giving Lewis enough time to push the ball downfield, because he has the arm to do it.
That’s where Oklahoma State can make life miserable. The Cowboys’ pass rush is new as well, though Jaleel Johnson is back after a season cut short by injury.
If CU can keep Lewis upright and protected, the Buffs have a real shot to make their offense work. If the Cowboys can consistently get pressure, turn that into sacks or even just disruption, they can shape the game their way.
Colorado’s offensive line is also a major question mark, especially with Jordan Seaton now at LSU. The expectation is that the group will be made up of transfers or players who weren’t starters a year ago. That makes the battle up front even more important.
There’s a similar uncertainty on the other side, because Oklahoma State’s offensive line is basically new too. The good news for the Cowboys is that some of those linemen came from North Texas, where they blocked for Hawkins and already know his rhythm. But this is still a unit that has to learn how to function together, and by Game 7 of the season, the hope is that it will be more settled.
That’s why Hawkins could be a difference-maker in this game. Colorado’s defense was rough last season, bad enough that Sanders brought in Chris Marve from Virginia Tech to take over as defensive coordinator. The Buffs will run the same system OSU uses, which should give Hawkins some familiarity with what he’s seeing and how to attack it.
Santana Hopper is the Colorado defender to keep an eye on in the middle, but this isn’t a one-sided test. If the Buffs can slow Hawkins down and make him less effective, that could drag down Oklahoma State’s offense. And if they can’t, the Cowboys have a clear path to making this matchup tilt their way.
In Other News...
Arizona Still Has One Huge July 4 Recruiting Battle Left
July 4 is shaping up as a busy day on the recruiting calendar, with three three-star prospects expected to make their college choices public. Kyren Caldwell is down to Alabama, Maryland and Mississippi State, while Darryl Flemister is expected to land on either Illinois or Iowa, but for Oklahoma State the most relevant name is Mason Joshua, the offensive lineman weighing Arizona against the Cowboys.
Joshuas decision is the one that could matter most to Oklahoma State fans, especially with new head coach Eric Morris helping give the Cowboys some momentum in the race. The announcement is expected around 2:00 p.m. ET, and until then the final answer remains one of those July 4 recruiting swings that can quietly shape a class long after the fireworks fade. [Read more 🡒]
Why Caleb Hawkins Still Isn't Getting Full Big 12 Respect
Caleb Hawkins is still waiting for the kind of full Big 12 recognition that tends to follow a big transfer move, even if the early buzz around him is obvious. The former North Texas running back is already drawing comparisons to BYUs LJ Martin in EA College Football 27, a sign that Hawkins has entered the conversation with some real credibility after a strong season and a move to Oklahoma State.
The ratings tell a familiar story for a younger player trying to catch an established name, with Hawkins lagging behind Martin in a couple of areas that often reward experience, while still grading out better in burst and lateral movement. Martin is the more seasoned college back at this point, but Hawkins has already shown enough as a runner to make the comparison interesting, even if the schedule will keep the two from settling anything on the field this season. [Read more 🡒]
5 Colorado Names Oklahoma State Fans Need For Oct. 24
Colorados roster looks a lot different heading into this matchup, and that is by design. After a 3-9 season and the departures of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, Deion Sanders has leaned hard into a rebuild, bringing in two new coordinators and using the transfer portal to reshape both sides of the ball. For Oklahoma State fans circling Oct. 24, the interesting part is not just who left, but which new faces have quickly become central to what the Buffaloes want to do.
At quarterback, receiver, tight end and across the defense, Colorado is trying to find reliable answers fast, and several newcomers are already being asked to carry real weight. Lewis, Williams, Atkins, Hopper and Lefau all sit in that group of players who could determine how competitive Colorado looks by the time the Cowboys see them, even if the full picture still has some important pieces to be sorted out before then. [Read more 🡒]