Colorado is rolling into Stillwater this Saturday, Oct. 24, but the Oklahoma State squad they face isn’t the same team that got rocked in Colorado’s 52-0 victory back in 2024. The Buffaloes are walking into a totally different beast, a Cowboys program that has changed so much since that last meeting it’s barely recognizable, and they are doing it in front of a completely sold-out crowd at Boone Pickens Stadium.
This Isn’t Your Grandpa’s Oklahoma State: 91 New Faces Ready To Rumble
Seriously, folks, this Oklahoma State team is built different. First-year head coach Eric Morris, who came over after three seasons at North Texas, has completely overhauled the roster. We’re talking 91 newcomers on a 115-player squad, and 66 of those are transfers. That’s not just a lot of new faces, the Cowboys are saying it’s the largest newcomer total in major college football history! And get this, those changes are already paying off big time, like their victory over then-No. 6 Oregon in just their second game this season. Colorado hasn’t been to Stillwater since 2009, and for this trip, they’re walking into OSU’s 105th homecoming game, which is completely sold out. The Cowboys love playing at home for homecoming, too, with seven wins in their last 10 such games and a 58-40-6 overall record.
Drew Mestemaker Is Lighting Up The Scoreboard And Colorado Needs A Plan
If Colorado thinks this is gonna be easy, they need to take a long, hard look at Drew Mestemaker. The Oklahoma State quarterback is absolutely slinging it, leading an offense that’s ranked fourth nationally in passing offense and fifth in total offense. Mestemaker himself is averaging a wild 323.3 passing yards per game, which puts him second across the entire nation. He’s dropped 300+ yards in five straight games. That’s just insane consistency. And he’s got weapons: receiver Wyatt Young is averaging 93.5 receiving yards per game, while running back Caleb Hawkins is grinding out 98.7 rushing yards per game. This is a productive offense, no doubt about it. The Buffaloes’ defense is going to have their hands full trying to contain this guy and his playmakers.
Recent Stumbles Don’t Hide A High-Flying Attack
The Cowboys are coming off a narrow 35-32 loss to No. 20 Houston on Oct. 17. They were down 14-3 at halftime in that one, but Mestemaker still threw for 365 yards and three touchdowns, with Hawkins adding a career-high 125 receiving yards. Even in defeat, the offense was putting up numbers. They did shoot themselves in the foot with two turnovers and a season-high nine penalties in that game, so there are still things to clean up. Historically, Colorado actually leads the series 27-20-1, and they’re 12-11-1 in Stillwater. But the Cowboys have had the upper hand recently, winning three of the past four meetings, including the most recent matchup in 2024, a 52-0 win at Folsom Field.
So, what does it all mean for Saturday’s 5 p.m. MT kickoff on FS1? Colorado is sitting at 2-4 overall and winless at 0-3 in conference play. Oklahoma State, at 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12, is looking to keep their momentum rolling at home. This isn’t just another game, it’s a statement for both teams. Can the Buffaloes handle this completely rebuilt, high-octane Cowboys squad, or will Stillwater be celebrating a homecoming victory?
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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