Defense update: OSU's offense attracts attention because of its yardage and scoring (three consecutive games of at least 500 yards and at least 50 points), but the Cowboy defense has shown improvement.

Last season, the Cowboys were 101st nationally in total defense. Through four games this season, OSU is 42nd nationally in total defense, 56th in rushing defense and 45th in pass defense.

Opponents have converted on only 14-of-55 third-down conversion attempts (25 percent). Last season, opponents had a 37 percent success rate on third-down plays.

Takeaways: Through the first three games of the season, OSU's defense had forced only three turnovers. During the 55-24 win over Troy, the Cowboys got three takeaways — interceptions by cornerback Jacob Lacey and end Jeremiah Price, along with a fumble recovery by safety-linebacker Andre Sexton. OSU scored a touchdown following each of the Troy turnovers.

Too many flags: The coaches have to be concerned with OSU's penchant for penalties. Against Troy, left offensive tackle Russell Okung was flagged for a false start on two consecutive plays.

Last season, OSU was penalized an average of 66.6 yards per game. This season, the average is up to 79.2. In the Big 12, only Texas Tech has been penalized for more yards.

Big numbers: Against Troy, the Cowboys rolled to a total of 612 yards. That stands as the eighth-best single-game performance in school history. In two of its past three games, OSU has reached the 600-yard mark. In the Sept. 6 triumph over Houston, OSU had 699 yards.

Pettigrew's status: Cowboy tight end Brandon Pettigrew (sprained ankle) was held out of the Troy game. On Sunday, coach Mike Gundy would not indicate whether Pettigrew will play in this week's Big 12 opener against Texas A&M. Gundy said Pettigrew's status should be listed as "day-to-day."

Odds and ends: With 4,018 career yards, Zac Robinson has supplanted Tony Lindsay (1997-2000) at the No. 4 position on OSU's all-time passing list. Lindsay passed for 4,002 yards. Robinson is 795 yards shy of supplanting Tone Jones (1993-96) at the No. 3 spot.

Against Troy, OSU had a 31-second scoring drive and a 53-second scoring drive. For the season, the Cowboys have six scoring drives that consumed less than one minute.

Know the foe

Looking back: Playing before a nervous crowd of more than 84,000 in College Station, Texas, the Aggies needed a late fourth-down stop to beat Army 21-17. A&M already has home losses this season to Arkansas State and Miami (Fla.). The Aggies (2-2) won by six points at New Mexico. That same New Mexico team lost by six touchdowns at Tulsa.

About the offense: The ground game traditionally has been an Aggie strength, but not this season. Still adjusting to new coach Mike Sherman, A&M averages only 111 rushing yards per game and only 3.2 yards per attempt. On 53 attempts this season, running back Mike Goodson (who had committed to Oklahoma State before signing with the Aggies) has not popped a run of more than 14 yards. The passing game has not been much better, averaging less than 200 yards.

About the defense: Those who remember A&M's great "Wrecking Crew" units of the '80s and '90s might be stunned by the current state of the Aggie defense. A&M is 115th nationally against the run, allowing 227.5 yards per game. Opponents average better than 5 yards per attempt. Even with the universally respected Joe Kines as their first-year defensive coordinator, the Aggies are 76th nationally in total defense.

About the special teams: Punt coverage is yet another Aggie weakness. Opponents have averaged 20.6 yards per return. A&M kicker Richie Bean is only 1-of-4 on field goals. The Aggies average only 16.9 yards on kickoff returns and only 6.4 yards on punt returns.