In a game that felt more like a warning than a wake-up call, Baylor made quick work of Oklahoma State’s struggling defense, exploiting what has now become the Cowboys’ most glaring weakness being the secondary. From the very first drive, it was evident that Baylor had a clear game plan: attack through the air, and attack often.
On the game’s opening possession, Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson connected with receiver Kole Wilson on back-to-back passing plays that led to a lightning-fast touchdown. That drive set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. The Bears didn’t need to establish a run game or play it safe — they saw the cracks in OSU’s coverage and decided to rip it wide.
A Defense in Disarray Under Todd Grantham
Coming into the season, Oklahoma State’s defense was a concern. But after four weeks, it's no longer just a concern — it's a liability. Under new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, formerly of Florida, the Cowboys have shown little to no improvement, especially in pass defense. The secondary continues to get picked apart week after week, and Saturday’s performance was perhaps the most embarrassing example yet.
Robertson, who entered the game as one of the top statistical quarterbacks in the nation averaging over 330 passing yards per game, had what felt like a stress-free afternoon. He read the field with ease, faced minimal pressure, and routinely found wide-open receivers downfield. Tossing three touchdowns in the first half definitely says how easy things were for him. Sawyer ended up with 393 passing yards and 4 TD's on the day. This wasn't just a bad matchup — it was a breakdown in scheme, effort, and execution.
No Surprises, No Adjustments
What’s most frustrating for Oklahoma State fans is that none of this was unexpected. Through the first three games, the Cowboys had already shown they were vulnerable against the pass. Yet, no real adjustments were made to counteract what Baylor was going to bring. And when the Bears came out slinging, OSU had no answer.
There’s only so much you can blame on scheme when the effort and awareness on the back end continue to fall short. Grantham’s defenses are known for being aggressive, but this group looks confused more than confident. Whether it's poor communication, weak tackling, or just blown assignments, this is a unit that can’t seem to get on the same page.
Low Expectations, But Even Lower Execution
With Mike Gundy now gone, expectations for Oklahoma State in this matchup were already low. The spread reflected that. The team is in transition, dealing with turmoil both on and off the field, and no one reasonably expected them to upset Baylor. But even with that context, the complete lack of resistance on defense was jarring.
Yes, the personnel is what it is — and that won’t change until the offseason. But the absence of coaching adjustments, in-game awareness, and energy is something that goes beyond roster limitations. If anything, the lack of fire and adaptability is what should concern fans the most.
Something Has to Change — Fast
This defensive collapse wasn’t just a one-off performance; it’s part of an alarming trend. Oklahoma State continues to let opponents rack up points through the air without much resistance. And while there may be some forgiveness for a young team in transition, there’s little tolerance for a defense that looks unprepared every week.
If something doesn’t shift, either in how the team approaches game-planning or how the players are being developed, this season could easily end up worse than last year’s disappointing campaign. At some point, pride has to kick in. Someone on this roster, or in this coaching staff, has to take accountability and demand more.
With the offense also showing life the way they did against Baylor, the defense could be the key x-factor that could lead to more wins than many expect. The sole reason the Cowboys were even in the game for as long as they were was because of this offense having some life. Life-less is how the defense could be defined and it's becoming more alarming with each passing week. Changes need to happen.
Otherwise, the Cowboys are in for a long, frustrating season — one where their identity as a once-respected Big 12 program continues to fade further into the background.