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Oklahoma State Football: Previewing UTSA

By Kurt Freudenberger

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Sep 12, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver David Glidden (13) scores a touchdown against the Central Arkansas Bears during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Cowboys won 32-8. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction

UTSA is a puzzling team. They outplayed a Top 25 team on the road to start the season, and if not for one of those two disastrous turnovers, wins the game. Their performance against Kansas State was basically the exact opposite in that while they avoided any turnovers, they were shut down on offense while giving up chunks of yardage with regularity against an inferior offense, and in their own stadium to top it all off.

Larry Coker is a great coach, and his moderate success with a new program in a state dominated by several other teams speaks volumes to what he can do. UTSA gets the leftover scraps for the vast majority of their players, yet they’ve been competitive from the very beginning. Coker’s work in San Antonio is one of the most overlooked coaching performances currently in all of college sports.

Oklahoma State needs to be careful here. The Roadrunners’ failings against Kansas State defied logic, while their play down in Arizona showed what they are truly capable of: beating a Top 25 team on the road.

UTSA was one of the most experienced teams in college football last season, but only returned six starters this season. That’s a foundation for inconsistent play. If things line up right, they could very well get things going again in Stillwater.

The Cowboys’ struggling run game needs to get going, and most likely will. Even if it stalls again, Mason Rudolph should be able to eventually wear down the Roadrunners’ defense, making his share of big plays down the field. The Pokes’ defense should get a decent test as well, but should continue to hold their own against Bogenschutz and company.

According to most sportsbooks, OSU is a 23.5 point favorite. As much as I’d love to believe that, the Cowboys need to prove that they can at least come close to covering a spread and playing something close to a complete game. Oklahoma State starts slow yet again, but eventually pulls away from the Roadrunners in the second half.

Oklahoma State 31 UTSA 10

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