Oklahoma State came up just outside the AP Top 25 again, landing in the receiving-votes section after its blowout win over Murray State this weekend.
The Cowboys finished with 50 points in the updated poll, which would place them 30th overall. That puts Oklahoma State one spot behind Oklahoma, which checked in with 91 points, and two spots behind West Virginia, the Cowboys’ Week 4 opponent, at 93 points.
West Virginia was one of the teams to break into the poll conversation this week after knocking Virginia out with a 38-27 win in Charlotte. The Mountaineers are 3-0 for the first time since 2018.
The top of the poll stayed crowded with Texas at No. 1, followed by Georgia, Notre Dame, Ole Miss and Indiana. Miami moved in at No. 6, with Ohio State, Alabama, BYU and LSU rounding out the top 10.
Elsewhere around the rankings, Oregon climbed one spot to No. 20 after its 84-0 rout of Portland State. The Ducks were the team Oklahoma State beat in Week 2.
Tulsa, which beat Oklahoma State in Week 1, also remained in the receiving-votes category with 18 points after rolling past East Texas A&M 42-0 without starting quarterback Baylor Hayes.
The Big 12 placed four teams in the rankings: No. 9 BYU, No.
11 Texas Tech, No. 15 Utah and No.
25 Houston. The Cougars held onto the final spot despite losing in Lubbock this weekend.
Arizona, with 10 points, and Kansas State, with 3, joined Oklahoma State and West Virginia in the receiving-votes group.
In Other News...
Braden Atkinson Just Delivered The Oregon State Breakthrough Fans Needed
The first win of the JaMarcus Shephard era finally arrived at Reser Stadium, and it came with the kind of breakout performance Oregon State had been waiting to see. Braden Atkinson set the tone by throwing for five touchdowns and adding another on the ground, while the Beavers also showed clearer progress in the rushing game and got useful work from the defense in a 52-17 win over Montana.
Atkinsons night gave the offense a different kind of confidence, one built on production, rhythm and explosive plays instead of just trying to survive early season growing pains. The larger context only adds to the significance of the result, because Montana came in with a strong rsum, and Oregon State needed a response after the kind of start that can easily linger if a team does not find something to build on. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon State Has A Clear Reason To Watch Oklahoma State's Injuries
Oklahoma State rolled past Murray State 59-0, but the bigger takeaway for Oregon State was the lineup attrition behind that score. Several starters were held out because of injuries, which gives the Beavers a useful snapshot of how much depth the Cowboys are managing early and which positions could be worth tracking as the week moves on. Wide receiver Chris Barnes missed the game after dealing with a shoulder injury, while sophomore Terrence Lewis stepped in and made the most of the opportunity with two catches for 49 yards and his first touchdown.
There was also movement along both lines, where offensive lineman Joseph Hanson and defensive tackle Iman Oates sat after getting hurt in the previous game. Even in a lopsided win, those absences matter to an opponent like Oregon State, which is trying to gauge how complete Oklahoma State might be once the injury picture settles. The Cowboys still have some practice-week progress to make before anyone knows exactly how deep that list goes. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon States First Win Under JaMarcus Shephard Changed The Mood Fast
JaMarcus Shephards first win as Oregon States head coach arrived with the kind of ease that can change a mood in a hurry. The Beavers rolled past Montana, and the performance had the look of a team that was starting to settle in on both sides of the ball, with offense and defense each doing their part and multiple players getting involved in the scoring.
Shephard has framed this season as foundational, and after this result there was a different energy around the program and a clearer sense of growing expectations. For a team trying to build something early in his tenure, the victory did more than just put one in the win column - it gave the Beavers a better feel for where they stand and what they can become. [Read more 🡒]