Oklahoma State, a team riding a wave of top-25 buzz and loaded with transfer talent, got absolutely punched in the mouth during their Week 1 opener, falling 24-10 on the road to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. This wasn’t some minor stumble; it was a brutal upset by a team that’s long been considered the “little brother” of Oklahoma football, and the Cowboys were favored by two full touchdowns coming into the game. Ouch.
Little Brother No More: Tulsa’s Stunning Upset
You heard that right: Tulsa, a Group of Six team from the American Athletic Conference, didn’t just win, they dominated a team expected to finally break out. This isn’t just a win; it’s a statement. The Golden Hurricane, hailing from Oklahoma themselves, hadn’t beaten Oklahoma State in back-to-back seasons since the 1950s. Let that sink in. They didn’t just fall behind early either; they never once found a way to come back, leaving everyone scratching their heads. For a program that won just a single game last season, this kind of defeat is beyond frustrating for the fan base.
“Explosive” Offense? More Like an Implosion
The pre-season hype for Oklahoma State was legitimate. They brought in North Texas head coach Eric Morris, a proven offensive guru, and he raided his old team for some serious firepower. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who was the nation’s leading passer in 2025, came over with running back Caleb Hawkins and wide receiver Wyatt Young. This trio powered college football’s top scoring offense at North Texas just last year! Add in 63 other transfers, and this was supposed to be a completely overhauled, explosive machine. So, what happened? Against Tulsa, that high-octane offense sputtered to a measly 10 points and coughed up four turnovers. Mestemaker himself was responsible for three of those, with two crushing interceptions and a lost fumble. Coach Morris put it perfectly in his postgame presser: “We got a lot of problems to fix, obviously.”
Oregon’s Ready to Feast in Stillwater
The timing for this Oklahoma State meltdown couldn’t be worse, because next up, the Oregon Ducks are coming to Stillwater. Oregon, meanwhile, battled through their own Week 1 test, coming back from a 17-7 deficit against the Boise State Broncos and then twice having to tie the game in the second half before finally securing a 34-27 victory to remain 1-0. While they had their own struggles, they still found a way to win. The Ducks absolutely destroyed Oklahoma State 69-3 in Eugene last season, a complete bloodbath. And even though this year’s Cowboys roster is “considerably more talented,” after seeing that dismal performance against Tulsa, you just know Oregon is going to be “favored big once again.” Morris’s own words echo in the air: “We got (Oregon) coming to town next week and boy I tell you if they watch that film they’ll be licking their chops.” He’s not wrong. Get ready for a potentially wild Week 2.
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.
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