The BON staff predictions: Texas vs. Oklahoma State

Conference play for the Texas Longhorns is finally here as Texas travels to Stillwater to take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys Saturday morning. Kick off is at 11 a.m. CT, and ABC will televise the game.

Let’s get into our staff predictions.

Wescott Eberts — Editor

I think Texas rebounds in this game and is able to finally force some turnovers and make some stops of an Oklahoma State running game that is still not all the way back.

It's another shootout, though, as the Cowboys make some plays in the passing game but can't stop the Longhorns from doing the same.

Texas 45, Oklahoma State 42

Cody Daniel — co-editor

I'm not really sure what to expect going into Saturday morning.

Texas will see an offense that's similar, in many ways, to the one that gashed the defense for 50 points in Berkeley — largely due to another explosive receiver in James Washington.

Two things can happen with that — either we see a similar result where Mason Rudolph and Washington have a field day, or Texas learns from the embarrassment at Cal and plays at a significantly higher level.

I'm going to go with a blend of the two. I have no concerns about the offense's ability to score points, and I think Oklahoma State will score quite a few itself. But I think two weeks of preparation and the sense of urgency shows up and Texas escapes Stillwater 3-1.

Texas 38, Oklahoma State 27

Jack Keyes — staff writer

I'm really nervous about this game just because I'm concerned that Texas will fail to stop another aerial attack. But I think Texas has too much to play for to lose.

There's a huge difference between 3-1 and 2-2 obviously. And with Vance Bedford's job on the line, I think the team will dig deep.

In a way, the Longhorns will be seeking redemption both for last week's loss and last season's controversial game against Ok State.

My random gut prediction is that this will randomly be the first week the offense stagnates a bit, and it will be the defense who will have to bail the team out.

I'm predicting a semi-comfortable win for Texas in a game that isn't as high-scoring as people expect.

Texas 30, Oklahoma State 21

Abram Orlansky — staff writer

I don't know how good Texas is, but I feel confident they're better than Central Michigan.

Assuming we don't have the same officiating crew that called the Okie State game in Austin last year, I'll take the Longhorns on the road to win 27-21 in a game that helps get this team back on track.

If it is the same refs from last year, I have to go with a 1,000-20 Oklahoma State victory.

Texas 27, Oklahoma State 21

Wes Crochet — staff writer

Of all the games so far, this one is easily the hardest to predict. And we all know why... The Longhorns defense has to play better for this team to have any sort of “successful” season, whatever that may look like.

On the plus side, Texas has had an extra week to prepare for Oklahoma State, rest up, and improve this team and defense. On the downside, the Cowboys are coming off a loss against a Baylor spread offense that may motivate that team to play a more polished game this week at home.

In this matchup, Texas still has the overall edge in talent. But this game will ultimately come down to turnovers and execution.

I predicted a Texas win in Stillwater before the season and I’ll stick to that for these two reasons....

A) I expect Strong to play his best pass-rushers (Roach, Hager) while also inserting his most athletic and “range-y” safety, Brandon Jones, into the mix. And B), Texas has to use schemes with two deep safeties whenever Oklahoma State lines up with three or more receivers.

If I think Coach Strong is the defensive mind that I believe he is, and if I believe he has been more involved on defense these past two weeks, then I’ll believe he understands what needs to be done and will have this defense prepared enough to keep the Cowboys from scoring 40+.

Give me Texas in another whacky game between these two teams that has the road team coming out on top.

Texas 38, Oklahoma State 34

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