Oklahoma State’s next trip carries a little more weight than your average October road game, and now it has a kickoff window to match. The Cowboys will head to Houston in Week 7 for a 6:30 p.m. start on FOX, with the Big 12 releasing the full slate of game times Monday.
That matchup sits right in the middle of a packed Saturday schedule that includes Cincinnati at West Virginia at 11 a.m. on TNT, Kansas at Kansas State at 11 a.m. on FS1, Arizona State at Texas Tech at 2:30 p.m. on FOX, TCU at Baylor at 6 p.m. on FS1, Notre Dame at BYU at 6:30 p.m. on ABC, and Utah at Colorado at 9:15 p.m. on ESPN or ESPN2. All times are Central.
For Oklahoma State, the Houston game will be its third primetime appearance of the season. The Cowboys’ most recent night outing ended in a 41-24 win at West Virginia, and they also rolled past Murray State 59-0 on Sept. 19.
Houston is getting its own third evening kickoff of the year, and its second game on FOX. The Cougars blasted Southern 77-6 on Sept. 12, then dropped a 28-26 Friday game to Texas Tech on FOX.
Before meeting the Cowboys, Houston has a trip to Kansas State on deck. The Cougars are 4-1 after beating UCF 27-17 last weekend. Oklahoma State, meanwhile, will host UCF this weekend and comes in off a bye.
The numbers say Houston can score in bunches. The Cougars are averaging 41 points per game, second in the Big 12 behind only Utah, and their 483.2 yards per game rank fourth in the league. Oklahoma State sits at the top of the conference in total offense with 548.3 yards per game.
Quarterback play will be a major part of the conversation. Houston’s Conner Weigman has thrown for 1,186 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception through five games, putting him fourth in the Big 12 in passing yards. He trails Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker, who has 1,271 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions in four games.
In Other News...
Oklahoma State Faces A Dangerous Big 12 Test Coming Off The Bye
Oklahoma State comes out of its bye week with a tricky Big 12 home date against UCF, and the timing makes the matchup even more interesting. The Cowboys are still trying to keep their unbeaten run in conference play intact, but this is the kind of opponent that can expose mistakes in a hurry, especially with UCF bringing a defense that has been good at squeezing opponents and forcing them to play on its terms.
For Oklahoma State, the biggest concern may be the turnover battle. UCF has done a strong job creating takeaways, while the Cowboys have given the ball away more than they would like, a combination that can flip a game fast when the margins are thin. The Knights have had issues generating much on offense against Power Four competition, but if they can hang around long enough and keep Oklahoma State uncomfortable, this one could turn into the sort of Big 12 grinder that stays in doubt deep into the second half. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon State Gets A Real Test Despite Entering As Clear Favorite
The matchup looks lopsided on paper, with San Diego State coming in as a clear underdog against Oregon State in the upcoming Pac-12 game. Even so, the Aztecs have already shown some resilience, squeezing out a close win over Texas State while dealing with a battered roster and a messy stretch that has made every practice and game plan feel a little less predictable.
Oregon State has the edge in the series and has won the last five meetings, so the Beavers will have confidence entering a spot that should favor them. Still, this is the kind of early test that can tell a lot about whether Oregon State can handle a game that may be more demanding than the line suggests, especially against a San Diego State team that has found ways to stay competitive when conditions are far from ideal. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Faces A Rivalry Test That Could Shake Its CFP Path
Boise States place in the College Football Playoff conversation still has some room to grow, but the path gets a lot tighter with a trip to Fresno State looming this weekend. The matchup carries real weight in the Mountain West race, and it comes with Boise State and Fresno State both sitting at 4-1 while the broader conference picture continues to be shaped by strength of schedule and a cluster of important games.
For Oregon State fans keeping an eye on the teams that can affect the postseason math, this is the kind of game worth watching closely because it can reshape the league pecking order in a hurry. Boise State is still favored on the road, but the line has shifted enough to signal how much attention the market is giving Fresno States chance to make things uncomfortable, and the result could ripple beyond just one Saturday night. [Read more 🡒]