The Oklahoma State Cowboys just crushed Murray State 59-0, but head coach Eric Morris is already sounding the alarm about something way bigger than any opponent. Forget the blowout, the real challenge for OSU isn’t even on the field yet: it’s handling the absolute chaos that comes with their first out-of-state road trip this season. This Saturday at 6 p.m. in West Virginia, it’s not just another game; it’s a test of mental toughness for this undefeated squad.
Leaving Stillwater for the First Time and What It Means
Look, after starting the season with a road trip to Tulsa and two dominant home games, the Cowboys are finally getting on a plane, heading “across the country” for their inaugural out-of-state showdown. And Morris isn’t sugarcoating it one bit. He’s straight up worried about the “distractions” that come with it, calling it a huge test for the squad. “First time we’ve gotten on a plane together across the country,” Morris told the media, laying out the challenges. “You don’t stay close to the stadium there, stay outside of West Virginia, you’ve got to travel in there. So, there’s so many things that I think can be distractions, and hopefully we’ll do a nice job of eliminating those.” That’s the stuff that keeps coaches up at night, right? It’s not just the game plan, it’s managing the travel logistics, the unfamiliar surroundings, the whole vibe of being a visitor in a hostile environment. This isn’t just about football, it’s about focus and discipline on a level they haven’t faced yet this season.
Big 12 Play Begins: History, Hype, and “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
This isn’t some non-conference tune-up; this is where Big 12 play kicks off, under the lights, on national TV, in true football weather. The stakes are through the roof for an undefeated team. And Morris knows the scene. The team even blasted John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads”,West Virginia’s unofficial anthem,on a loop at practice, a clear signal they’re zoned in on the task at hand. OSU actually has a pretty good track record in Morgantown, boasting a 5-2 record and not having lost there since 2013. That’s a solid history! Coincidentally, Morris was the offensive coordinator for Texas Tech that same year when they snagged a 37-27 win at WVU. He’s planning to revisit that specific game film later this week, probably Thursday, to prep. That kind of past experience navigating the away game could be massive for the coaching staff. He called it “a great opportunity for our team to go on the road,” highlighting all the “cool storylines” like national TV, football weather, playing under the lights, being an undefeated team, and kicking off the first Big 12 game. But let’s be real, West Virginia is a “really well-coached team,” and Morris knows his squad needs to play “really, really well” to keep this winning streak alive and make a statement in the conference.
This Saturday isn’t just a Big 12 opener; it’s a gut check for the Cowboys. Can they shut out the noise, literally and figuratively, and show that their undefeated start isn’t a fluke? Get ready for a massive clash that will set the tone for the rest of their conference schedule.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply