Oklahoma State football: Three keys to a Cowboys victory vs. Texas

2. Take care of the football

OSU quarterback Spencer Sanders threw three interceptions against Baylor in Week 5, although the Cowboys defense managed to buckle down and fortunately limit the damage. Despite the Bears returning two of these interceptions within the OSU 40 yard line, the Cowboys managed to force punts on both occasions.

Texas figures to be better equipped to punish OSU for these kinds of mistakes. The Longhorns have recovered five fumbles and have four interceptions through the season’s first six games, hardly imposing numbers. But a crucial mistake at the wrong time of the game, however, can change momentum and hurt a Cowboys team that has a thin margin of error on Saturday morning.

3. Offensive line has to step up

Running back Jaylen Warren makes the OSU offense go, as the Utah State transfer has the clear go-to status after the win at Boise State in Week 3. In the past three games, Warren has rushed for 462 yards and four touchdowns. He has speed to break open a play into the defensive secondary and he’s also strong enough to pick up short yardage between the tackles.

Without a strong push from the offensive line, however, Warren’s playmaking will be unrealized against Texas.

The Longhorns have struggled against the rush this year, allowing nearly 200 yards on the ground per game and 5.33 yards per rushing attempt this season. Arkansas gashed Texas for 333 rushing yards in the Razorbacks’ 40-21 victory in Week 2, while OU barely outdid that number, gaining 339 yards on the ground on only 41 attempts — an average of 8.3 yards per rush.

The opportunity will be there to outgain the Longhorns on the ground and control possession, and OSU’s offensive line has to help Warren make that happen.