Tulsa World: Cowboys face tough road

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Cowboys face tough road
No. 8 OSU must play Texas Tech, Colorado and OU.

OSU's Dez Bryant (left) and Damian Davis celebrate following a big catch by Davis in the third quarter of Saturday's win over Iowa State. The Cowboys are No. 8 in the AP poll and ninth in the BCS standings. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 11/3/2008 2:12 AM
Last Modified: 11/3/2008 3:52 AM

No. 8 OSU must play Texas Tech, Colorado and OU.

Oklahoma State improved to 8-1 overall with a 59-17 victory over Iowa State, ascended one spot in the Associated Press' rankings and remained No. 9 in the Bowl Championship Series standings.

The Cowboys are No. 8 both in the AP Top 25 and coaches' poll. For the third time in five weeks, OSU is preparing for a nationally relevant game — this Saturday's 7 p.m., ABC-televised Big 12 contest at Texas Tech.

Still undefeated after their 39-33 conquest of then-No. 1-ranked Texas, the Red Raiders are No. 2 both in the AP poll and BCS standings. Last week, Texas Tech was No. 6 in the AP poll and No. 7 in the BCS.

As the season has unfolded, the OSU schedule has become remarkably difficult.

On Oct. 11, the Cowboys won 28-23 at then-No. 3 Missouri. On Oct. 25, the Cowboys lost 28-24 at then-No. 1 Texas. On Saturday, the Cowboys attempt to win in Lubbock for the first time since 1944.

On Nov. 29, No. 6 Oklahoma visits Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater.

At the time Oklahoma State faced Missouri, Tiger quarterback Chase Daniel was considered the Heisman Trophy frontrunner. At the time OSU played at Texas, 'Horns QB Colt McCoy was hailed as the Heisman favorite. In the regular-season finale, OSU contends with OU's Sam Bradford.This week, the Cowboys are challenged by Texas Tech's Graham Harrell, the national leader in passing yards and total offense.

Addressing the Big 12's wealth of elite quarterbacks, OSU coach Mike Gundy said, "It's a good reminder of the strength of this league. You've got to be ready to play every Saturday. I think (the quantity of quality quarterbacks) will eventually drive a bunch of coaches out of this league."

OSU is ranked in the AP Top 10 for the fourth consecutive week. Only twice before have the Cowboys savored a Top 10 run of as many as four weeks. In 1984, OSU was in the Top 10 in each of the final six polls. In 1985, there was a four-week period during which the Cowboy ranking fluctuated between No. 5 and No. 8.

Against Texas Tech, Gundy-coached Cowboy teams are 2-1. In 2005 at Stillwater, a 23-point-underdog OSU team defeated Texas Tech 24-17 with a strong running game and defense.

Last year, Harrell passed for 646 yards and five touchdowns, but the Cowboys won 49-45 as tight end Brandon Pettigrew scored on a 54-yard pass play with 1:37 left.

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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