There’s no shortage of buzz around Drew Mestemaker right now, and it’s coming from more than one corner. UCF coach Scott Frost said he would be “surprised” if Mestemaker is in college next year, and another NFL analyst has him projected as the first quarterback off the board.
The Cowboys are also drawing attention in the broader Big 12 picture. ESPN pegged the league race as a four-team battle by the odds - BYU, Utah, Texas Tech, and whichever team rises out of Oklahoma State, Baylor, Houston, and Arizona.
The Cougars’ path is especially interesting over the next two weeks, with Houston hosting Oklahoma State before heading to Utah. ESPN noted that Houston’s chances took a hit after a narrow loss at Texas Tech, but the Cougars could work their way right back into the race if they keep playing the way they did in Manhattan.
Oklahoma State, meanwhile, has a mulligan to give and still has Texas Tech coming to Stillwater in November.
Elsewhere, Cowboy Golf is tied for first after the opening day of Big 12 match play.
CBS Sports also put the Pokes in the Pop Tarts Bowl against SMU, a matchup that would be a lot of fun.
In the rankings, Oklahoma State sits at No. 3 in this week’s Big 12 power poll.
There was also a statistical deep dive on the Cowboys from TDL, with the reminder from the Feels Like 45 Podcast: “As a reminder, I did not chart the Murray State game.”
In Other News...
Oklahoma State Faces A Big 12 Test With More History Than Fans Realize
Oklahoma States trip to Houston comes with more history than a typical Big 12 matchup, and for longtime followers of either program, it is a reminder that these teams have crossed paths in different eras and different leagues. The connection stretches back through old conference affiliations and a series that has produced plenty of familiar names, including standout moments from players like Dez Bryant and Case Keenum.
Now both programs are conference mates again after joining the Big 12 together in 2023, which gives the meeting a little extra texture beyond the usual October or November stakes. The series has been tight enough to matter for both sides over the years, and Oklahoma State will have no trouble finding reminders that this is one of those matchups where the past still hangs around the present. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon State Faces A Familiar Wrinkle In This Washington State Rivalry
Washington State and Oregon State are getting ready for the 111th meeting in a series that has taken on a very different feel this season, with both programs now working under first-year head coaches and largely rebuilt assistant staffs. For a rivalry that already has plenty of history, the coaching overlap adds another layer, from the familiarity between offensive coordinators Mitch Dahlen and Kirby Moore to the route JaMarcus Shephard once took through Pullman before landing on the current staff.
There is also a storyline on the defensive side that gives this matchup an especially familiar edge, since one of the more recognizable names on the opposite sideline knows Oregon States recent personnel and program habits as well as anyone. Games like this often come down to details, and when staffs have spent time around each other, even small edges can matter in a matchup that carries both tradition and a little extra inside information. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State Defense Faces Its Biggest Third-Down Test Yet
Oklahoma State is about to get a clear read on how sturdy its defense really is when it lines up against Houston, the nations most efficient third-down offense. The Cowboys have done solid work in that area so far, allowing conversions on 33.9% of opponent third downs, which ranks fourth in the Big 12, but Houston brings a different level of stress with an offense built to stay on schedule and keep drives alive.
Coach Eric Morris said the matchup puts a premium on first-down defense, because getting the Cougars behind the sticks is the best way to make things uncomfortable. Even with Oklahoma States respectable numbers, this is the kind of game that can expose whether those stops have been about consistency or simply opponents not forcing enough pressure situations. [Read more 🡒]