Oklahoma State
3rd Big 1210-2
UL Lafayette
7th Sun Belt3-9
Oklahoma State @ UL Lafayette preview
Cajun Field
No. 21 Oklahoma State needs to watch out when it heads to
Louisiana-Lafayette for a Friday night kickoff against the Ragin' Cajuns
of the Sun Belt Conference.
The Cowboys (4-0) are coming off an emotionally-draining Thursday night win over Texas A&M and will be away from Boone Pickens Stadium for the first time this season. They also have an important Big 12 South test at Texas Tech looming next on the schedule. Plus, the Cowboys were in a similar situation in 2007, when they stepped out of Big 12 play for a Friday night game at Troy of the Sun Belt. Troy upset the Cowboys 41-23.
Still, Mike Gundy’s high-scoring squad is more than a three-touchdown favorite over the Ragin’ Cajuns (2-2). Oklahoma State arrives with the nation’s No. 2 scoring offense (52.25 points per game). Quarterback Brandon Weeden, running back Kendall Hunter and wide receiver Justin Blackmon are having huge years and are ranked in the top 10 nationally in passing, rushing and receiving respectively.
Louisiana-Lafayette’s defense has struggled, allowing 35 points and more than 400 yards per game. Georgia put up 55 on the Cajuns in the season opener. Since that loss, Louisiana-Lafayette has played three straight Sun Belt opponents, including last week’s one-point win at North Texas. Defensive lineman Jermaine Rogers blocked a potential tying extra point with 31 seconds left to secure a 28-27 win.
Junior quarterback Chris Masson leads coach Ricky Bustle’s pass-heavy offense. Masson had his best game of the season in last week’s win, completing 18-of-32 for 310 yards and two touchdowns.
Masson has thrown only one interception this season, a trend he’ll need to continue against Oklahoma State’s opportunistic defense. The Cowboys picked off A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson four times last week.
If Masson makes smart decisions, the Cowboys' secondary is vulnerable. Oklahoma State’s pass defense is ranked 110th and was shredded for 409 yards by Johnson and the Aggies.
Oklahoma State enters the game relatively healthy. Louisiana-Lafayette is banged up. Starting right guard Evan Ruiz and starting tight end LaDarius Green, the team’s leading receiver, are listed as questionable.
The Cowboys are 6-0 against the Cajuns, including a 56-3 win in their last meeting in 2003. Louisiana-Lafayette is 1-18 against teams from BCS confernences under Bustle. Its only win came against Kansas State last season.
The Cowboys (4-0) are coming off an emotionally-draining Thursday night win over Texas A&M and will be away from Boone Pickens Stadium for the first time this season. They also have an important Big 12 South test at Texas Tech looming next on the schedule. Plus, the Cowboys were in a similar situation in 2007, when they stepped out of Big 12 play for a Friday night game at Troy of the Sun Belt. Troy upset the Cowboys 41-23.
Still, Mike Gundy’s high-scoring squad is more than a three-touchdown favorite over the Ragin’ Cajuns (2-2). Oklahoma State arrives with the nation’s No. 2 scoring offense (52.25 points per game). Quarterback Brandon Weeden, running back Kendall Hunter and wide receiver Justin Blackmon are having huge years and are ranked in the top 10 nationally in passing, rushing and receiving respectively.
Louisiana-Lafayette’s defense has struggled, allowing 35 points and more than 400 yards per game. Georgia put up 55 on the Cajuns in the season opener. Since that loss, Louisiana-Lafayette has played three straight Sun Belt opponents, including last week’s one-point win at North Texas. Defensive lineman Jermaine Rogers blocked a potential tying extra point with 31 seconds left to secure a 28-27 win.
Junior quarterback Chris Masson leads coach Ricky Bustle’s pass-heavy offense. Masson had his best game of the season in last week’s win, completing 18-of-32 for 310 yards and two touchdowns.
Masson has thrown only one interception this season, a trend he’ll need to continue against Oklahoma State’s opportunistic defense. The Cowboys picked off A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson four times last week.
If Masson makes smart decisions, the Cowboys' secondary is vulnerable. Oklahoma State’s pass defense is ranked 110th and was shredded for 409 yards by Johnson and the Aggies.
Oklahoma State enters the game relatively healthy. Louisiana-Lafayette is banged up. Starting right guard Evan Ruiz and starting tight end LaDarius Green, the team’s leading receiver, are listed as questionable.
The Cowboys are 6-0 against the Cajuns, including a 56-3 win in their last meeting in 2003. Louisiana-Lafayette is 1-18 against teams from BCS confernences under Bustle. Its only win came against Kansas State last season.