Baylor @ Oklahoma State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 6, 2010 ) Baylor 28, Oklahoma State 55

THE STORY: Many assumed a team from Oklahoma would have the best shot to reach the BCS championship game. Turns out, they were in the right neighborhood, but at the wrong house. Fourth-ranked Oklahoma State moved up to No. 3 in the latest BCS Standings and controls its destiny after the first big upsets of the season, which included No.1 Oklahoma falling at home to then-unranked Texas Tech at home. The Cowboys hope to stay unbeaten when they return to Boone Pickens Stadium for the first time in nearly a month to face a wounded, but dangerous Baylor team led by Heisman candidate Robert Griffin III. Oklahoma State has won five straight and 14 of the 15 meetings since the Big 12 was established in 1996. The Bears haven’t won in Stillwater since 1939.

TV: ABC/ESPN2 LINE: Oklahoma State -14

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (7-0, 4-0 Big 12): The Cowboys lost reigning Biletnikoff award winner Justin Blackmon (concussion-like symptoms; day-to-day), and fellow WR Hubert Anyiam (broken foot) against Missouri. But the opportunistic defense (four turnovers) and RB Joseph Randle (138 yards, four total TDs) picked up the slack. QB Brandon Weeden is averaging 348 passing yards.

ABOUT BAYLOR (4-2, 1-2 Big 12): Prior to their bye week, the Bears suffered a humbling 55-28 loss to Texas A&M. They allowed the most yards (681) since a loss to Oklahoma State (725) by the same score last Nov. 6. Griffin III threw for a school-record 430 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to the Aggies. Baylor leads the Big 12 in total offense at just under 550 yards per game, barely ahead of OSU.

EXTRA POINTS

1. With No. 1 LSU scheduled to play No. 2 Alabama on Nov. 5, the Cowboys could play for their first-ever national championship if they can run the table.

2. Oklahoma State has forced 22 turnovers over the last five games.

3. Griffin III leads the nation in pass efficiency (205.71) and is third in total offense (374.2 ypg).

PREDICTION: Oklahoma State 49, Baylor 27 – The Bears’ 97th-ranked defense allowed Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill (6 TDs) to do as he pleased. Brandon Weeden will do the same.