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On the road, Cowboys display maturity

OSU coach Mike Gundy has led his team to wins in five of its last seven games away from Stillwater. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World

 
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
Published: 11/4/2008  2:13 AM
Last Modified: 11/4/2008  3:17 AM

 STILLWATER — Oklahoma State has already gone on the road and beat the No. 3 team in the nation.

Then, the Cowboys went on the road and nearly beat the No. 1 team.

"We played good at Missouri and played OK at Texas," OSU coach Mike Gundy said Monday. "So, yes, I hope it (does) help."

This week's road trip to No. 2 Texas Tech shouldn't prove to be anything out of the ordinary.

"Every week it seems like we're playing a big game," OSU quarterback Zac Robinson said. "But this team has done a good job of staying focused."

For the third time in five weeks, OSU is on the road to play an unbeaten team ranked in the top five of the nation.

Winning against an unbeaten top five team on the road is the biggest challenge in college football. But, so far, OSU has not shown any signs of cracking under the bright glare of the national spotlight.

"It can be difficult week to week to maintain a high level of play," Gundy said.

Yes, it's huge. Yes, the Cowboys are playing for high stakes in Lubbock. But, OSU has shown the road is no longer the impossible mission.

"We always feel like we can win any game," Robinson said. "I think that (road woes) was more of a media perception."

O-State's trouble on the road, well documented through coach Gundy's first two seasons, has been virtually erased.

Since that infamous loss at Troy early last season, the Cowboys have won five of their last seven games away from Stillwater. The losses were at Big 12 champ Oklahoma last year and top-ranked Texas this year.

In other words, there is no lack of experience.

"This is kind of getting monotonous for big games in our league," Gundy said.

Every week there seems to be a big national game in the Big 12 South Divison. This will be OSU's third time on the national stage.

"I enjoy being in these games," Gundy said. "But, the preparation is more difficult."

The Cowboys have played at some tough venues against very good teams.

Yet, OSU is more mature, talented and better than it has been in maybe 20 years.

So, while the Cowboys are probably going to get little respect from the national media, those around the Big 12 know OSU is capable of not only playing well in Lubbock but winning.

Certainly, it won't be easy. And, O-State will get to play the "no respect" card again. Just like Texas two weeks ago, Texas Tech is now the national media darling.

Everyone wants to talk about the Red Raiders.

Considering Gundy's preference to keep everything the same every week regardless of the opponent, the lack of attention might actually work to OSU's favor.

Still, there is nothing easy about beating a top five team on the road.

"You get into the game and eliminate the atmosphere around you," Gundy said.

The last time OSU faced such a large road challenge during a season came in 1974 when it faced four teams ranked in the top 10 (No. 10 Arkansas, No. 10 Texas Tech, No. 9 Nebraska and No. 1 Oklahoma).

OSU does have some history in beating highly ranked teams.

In 1976, the Cowboys beat three teams ranked in the Top 10 (No. 8 Kansas, No. 5 Oklahoma and No. 10 Missouri). Two of those victories were in Stillwater.

So, the task is large.

But, if we've learned nothing else this season, we know it is not impossible.

"We're more mature as a team," Gundy said. "But, you never know what is going to happen in these kind of games."
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist

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4 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Dr. Strangelove, Tulsa (11/4/2008 9:48:19 AM)
The Dr. predicts a 3 point victory for the Cowboys Saturday night. GO POKES!!!!!!!!!
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The ORIGINAL Adman, (11/4/2008 11:55:30 AM)
Cowboys may get little respect from the national media? The Cowboys get more respect from the national media than the local media (which isn't saying much).
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Dave in Houston, Houston (11/6/2008 8:38:50 AM)
The lack of respect for the Pokes reminds me of the NY Giants. Everytime they beat someone or make a close game (like Texas) it's all about "what's wrong with the OTHER team?" It's the same with respect to QB's too. Everyone wants to fall all over Harrell, McCoy, Bradford, and Daniel of Big XII. The same occurs in the NFL...it's all Peyton, Brady, Rivers, Brees. Zach Robinson and Eli Manning are overlooked too.

All week long all I've heard on Houston sports radio are callers and hosts breaking down the scenarios that would send Texas, Oklahoma, or Tech to the Big XII Champ Game or beyond. No one mentions that OSU is right there too. The Pokes' path might be a bit harder but don't count them out.

Teams can show no respect but they do so at their own peril. Go Pokes!!!
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benojam, (11/7/2008 12:27:47 PM)
Oklahoma State has a top five stat leader in passing effic., rushing, and receiving. As far as I know nobody else has this kind of phenom. (pretty sure about this).

This tidbit should lead typical news sports coverage in the state -- be it OKC or Tulsa stations.

As normal, everything is media driven and if appropriate coverage were put on the Cowboys nationally and locally then they would jump in the poles. I'm sure voters just don't realize the stuff mentioned above.
 

 
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