OKLAHOMA AND Oklahoma State have struggled through similar challenges but have now reached the crossroads of the season.

For the 25th-ranked Sooners, it is about survival.

For the 14th-ranked Cowboys, it is about persistence.

Here's the cold, hard reality for OU. For all of the talk about the defense and close games, Oklahoma is still 3-3 and probably looking at the remainder of the season without its two best players.

"We were a couple of plays on either side of the ball from changing it," said OU coach Bob Stoops.

The Sooners have lost four straight games away from Norman, dating back to last season's BCS championship game, and still have road games ahead at Kansas, Nebraska and Texas Tech. The three OU victories were all home games against outmanned opponents — Idaho State, Tulsa and Baylor.

"It's been a different year," said Stoops. "There's no denying we've had a lot to overcome."

The Cowboys also know what life is like without their two best players. OSU has been able to win a couple of league games by playing a little defense and getting just enough offense. Replacing Dez Bryant and Kendall Hunter is impossible, but State has been doing the best it can.

Those missing players have created "a chance for another player to step up," said OSU coach Mike Gundy on a Sunday teleconference.

For O-State, it is all about getting those players back and improving a little on defense. If so, a big run is still not out of the question if the Cowboys can win at Baylor this week, no given in a league with wild swings between home and road performances.

"For us to improve in this league, our defensive play is very important," said Gundy.

In other words, the next few weeks are critical.

It's time to plan for life without Sam Bradford at OU. That means continue to play terrific defense and give yourself a chance to win the game by generating a little offense.

"It doesn't matter," said Stoops. "We have a season to play."

In the next three weeks, that includes trips to Kansas and Nebraska. Neither of those teams would appear to be terrific, but nothing comes easy on the road.

"We're not that far off," said Stoops.

That's true. Oklahoma just needs to generate more offense to support what has been a very good defense.

Just a few weeks ago, there were more than a few local media experts that were saying OSU would not win a game in October. It has now won twice with a trip this week to Baylor followed by a Halloween date with Texas.

The season is still in front of Oklahoma State. The Cowboys do not have to rely on any other team. They control their own fate, rather amazing considering the difficult hand they have been dealt with the losses of Bryant and Hunter.

But, OSU has something most teams would love. The Cowboys have Zac Robinson, a senior quarterback who knows how to make plays and win games. That can go a long way in a league with so much parity.

State still has troubles on defense, but there is nothing wrong with shutting out Missouri in the second half of a comfortable victory. The Tigers got just 80 yards in the second half, very similar to the good second half the Cowboys played in the victory over Georgia.

"They were both very good halves for us," said Gundy.

If OSU can play that type of defense, generate some offense with its young playmakers, then getting to the Texas game for a Big 12 South Division showdown is not out of the question.

Right now, the Longhorns are setting the pace and don't expect any letdown. Texas learned a tough lesson last year.

"We were sitting here in this same position last year (after beating OU) and after we lost to Texas Tech, we let it go back into a system and the system kept us out," said Texas coach Mack Brown. "Now, next week's game becomes bigger than this one and it'll progress like that for the rest of the year."

The Longhorns go to Missouri this week and could inch ever closer to eliminating any doubt who is on top of the Big 12.