Mississippi State @ Oklahoma State preview

Oklahoma State has emerged as a major player on the college football scene behind a high-powered offense that annually ranks among the nation's best. The 14th-ranked Cowboys will receive a tough early test when they open the season against Mississippi State on Saturday at Houston's Reliant Stadium. Oklahoma State is favored to win the Big 12 Conference and has the pieces in place to be another offensive juggernaut, but the defense must show improvement to compete with the nation's elite.

Mississippi State is also a program on the rise, appearing in a bowl game in each of the last three seasons, but it has the misfortune to play in a conference (Southeastern) that has produced the last seven BCS national champions. The Bulldogs bolted to a 7-0 start a year ago before a string of games against conference heavyweights stalled their momentum en route to an 8-5 finish. Mississippi State has four four straight season openers and the Cowboys have been victorious in their last five.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN2. LINE: Oklahoma State –12.5.

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (2012: 8-5, 4-4 SEC): Much of the Bulldogs' recent success has also been built upon the passing game, with senior Tyler Russell throwing for 24 of the school-record 28 scoring passes in 2012. One big problem faces Russell, particularly in the early going: The top three receivers from a year ago are gone, which could lead to an emphasis on a running game headed by 1,000-yard rusher LaDarius Perkins. Mississippi State's defense ranked 45th nationally against the pass (221.8 yards per game) last season but must replace a pair of cornerbacks who were NFL second-round draft picks.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (2012: 8-5, 5-4): Coach Mike Gundy plans to utilize both quarterbacks Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh, each of whom saw substantial playing time last season when the Cowboys averaged 45.7 points and 331.7 passing yards. Either QB has the luxury of throwing to a dynamic wide receiver corps led by Josh Stewart, who amassed 101 receptions for 1,210 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Jeremy Smith will replace Dallas Cowboys draft pick Joseph Randle in the backfield, but the most pressing issue for the Cowboys is plugging the holes in a defense that surrendered at least 41 points in each of their five losses.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Oklahoma State is 9-6 against SEC competition, including three straight wins and eight of its last nine.

2. Mississippi State has won 13 straight non-conference games under coach Dan Mullen, who needs one win to become the first coach in school history to reach 30 in his first five seasons.

3. The all-time series is tied at two games apiece, but the schools have not met since 1999.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma State 34, Mississippi State 20