There’s a little team in the Big 12 that simply is not getting its just due with what its accomplished so far in 2013. Many claim this group hasn’t really played anyone yet. Their stats are impressive – a total of 4,292 yards gained on offense (5.74 yards-per-play), with 48 offensive touchdowns scored while averaging 429.2 yards-per-game. Their D isn’t too shabby either, giving up only 19 touchdowns to the opposition.
Yet no one really seems to be talking about them when it comes to competing for a championship.
A Big 12 championship.
Yes, those Oklahoma State Cowboys are barely a blip on anyone’s radar. While Baylor has roared to a number four ranking in the BCS, and made national headlines with Art Briles’ explosive offense, Oklahoma State has waited in the weeds, mainly due to a hiccup at West Virginia (who lost to KANSAS over the weekend, by the way).
Since that loss in Morgantown, all Oklahoma State has done is win six consecutive games by an average score of 41.2-19.8. The Cowboys are playing some good ball right now, and if you were wondering if this Saturday’s match-up was the game of the year in the conference, you’d be right.
“I certainly think we’ve got as good a chance as anybody (to win the Big 12),” Cowboy coach Mike Gundy said after Saturday’s 38-13 win at Texas. 
“If you’d have asked me that six weeks ago and I would have said we had as good a chance as anybody, you guys probably would’ve got up and walked out. Justifiably so.”
What has been the key to the turnaround by the Cowboys since that loss at West Virginia? Well two big changes on offense are a big key – Clint Chelf at quarterback and Desmond Roland at running back. Both were huge in Saturday’s win at Texas, with Chelf passing for 197 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 95 yards and two more TDs. Roland also churned out 102 all-purpose yards.
Oklahoma State’s offensive line continues to improve, including no sacks and no quarterback hurries vs. the Longhorns.
Rather quietly, the Cowboys have jumped to number 10 in the BCS standings, setting up a top-10 showdown with Baylor. ESPN’s College Gameday will be broadcasting the national show live from the OSU campus for the fourth time in the show’s history. The early line on the game has Baylor by double digits (11 and 13, respectively, by two betting sites). Despite that, expect a fantastic game that possibly goes down to the wire.
Oklahoma State really shouldn’t be seen as a surprise contender at this point of the season, as OSU was picked as one of the favorites to win the Big 12 in August. That loss at West Virginia hurt their perception more than their actual spot in the standings.
How fired up should the Cowboys be when this game rolls around on Saturday? Look no further than this OSU post-game locker room celebration by Gundy at Texas: click here
The best news, for us fans who don’t have a dog in the hunt, early weather projections say there is a chance for snow in Stillwater next Saturday night (oh, please let it happen). It only adds to the intrigue in what will be the game of the year in the Big 12 and probably decide the conference champion.
Baylor may be grabbing all of the headlines in the Big 12 these days but Oklahoma State is looking to crash that party. One of them will be sitting pretty come Saturday night.
