Unshackled: Is Oklahoma State’s Offense Finally Becoming What Meachem Envisioned?
For the first time all season, Oklahoma State’s offense looked alive: creative, aggressive, and, perhaps most importantly, unpredictable. And while the final result against Baylor may not have swung in OSU’s favor, the performance on the offensive side of the ball raised eyebrows and sparked speculation that this was the offense Coach Rob Meachem had wanted to run all along.
Oklahoma State played competitive football against Baylor, thanks in large part to a much-improved offensive performance. For the first time this season, the Cowboys seemed to find a steady run game they could trust and build around. The backfield featured a promising one-two punch with freshman Rodney Fields and senior Trent Howland leading the charge.
Howland, who had just six carries all season prior to this game, all coming against Oregon, made his presence felt with a touchdown run and several tough, physical carries. His bruising style complements Fields’ speed and shiftiness, giving OSU a more dynamic ground attack than they've shown in previous weeks.
With Mike Gundy no longer on the sideline, it seems Meachem, now in a more empowered role as interim head coach, is finally able to put his stamp on this team’s offensive identity. What we saw Saturday wasn’t just different — it was inspired.
Trick Plays and New Wrinkles
One of the most noticeable changes was the creative play-calling. Early in the game, wide receiver Sam Jackson launched a 26-yard touchdown pass to Josh Ford, one of several trick plays that caught Baylor’s defense off guard. Jackson, who had more than one pass attempt in the game, brought a new dynamic to OSU’s attack that hadn’t been explored in previous weeks. They even had a running back pass play up their sleeve. These are plays we didn't see much of at all under Gundy who liked a more traditional approach.
These plays weren’t just for show, they were executed with confidence and timing. This has been something that has been missing from Oklahoma State’s offense. Whether it was the players feeding off Meachem’s energy or simply the freedom to take risks, the unit looked more fluid and less constrained.
This version of the offense being multi-dimensional, aggressive, and willing to take chances felt like something OSU fans hadn’t seen under Gundy’s conservative approach. It leads many to wonder: was this the blueprint all along, just waiting for its moment?
Aggression Over Conservatism
Another telling shift in offensive philosophy was how Oklahoma State approached fourth downs. Instead of settling for field position and playing the long game, Meachem kept his foot on the gas. The Cowboys went for it in situations where previous coaching staffs might have punted or kicked — signaling a more aggressive mindset and a willingness to seize control rather than play reactive football.
That change alone gives insight into Meachem’s approach. He’s not coaching scared. He’s trying to win, and in doing so, he’s breathing new life into a team that badly needed a spark.
Flores Finding His Footing
Freshman quarterback Zane Flores also looked noticeably more comfortable than in prior weeks. Whether that’s the result of Gundy’s departure or simply a product of increased reps is unclear, but the difference was evident. He appeared more relaxed in the pocket, made quicker decisions, and showed a better command of the offense.
The stronger run game appeared to benefit Zane Flores in the passing game. With more balance on offense, Flores looked more comfortable and had better opportunities to make plays through the air. As the Cowboys continue to establish consistency on the ground, it should naturally open things up in the passing game and vice versa. This kind of offensive balance could be exactly what Oklahoma State needs to stay competitive moving forward.
Regardless of the reason, the improvement is encouraging. It suggests that the coaching staff, with Meachem now steering the ship, is finding ways to help their young signal-caller settle in and succeed. And as Flores grows more confident, the playbook seems to be opening up with him.
A Team Still Fighting
Perhaps the most important takeaway from Saturday’s game wasn’t a single stat or highlight. It was the energy. The offense came out strong, scoring in the first half which is something that had been a struggle all season. There was a noticeable rhythm and determination to move the ball, even when the game began to slip away.
For a team in transition, dealing with the fallout of Gundy’s firing, the effort spoke volumes. The coaching staff hasn’t lost the locker room. In fact, they may have found a new gear — one that players are responding to.
What Comes Next?
With Meachem as interim head coach, he now has more influence than ever over what this program will look like in the immediate future. If Saturday’s performance was any indication, we may finally be seeing the offense he envisioned as an attack that embraces creativity, pushes the tempo, and plays without fear.
The big question now is whether this version of the offense is here to stay, or if it was simply a one-game experiment against a conference opponent. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how Meachem continues to mold this team and whether a more exciting, more aggressive Oklahoma State offense becomes the new normal.
One thing is clear: for the first time in a long time, the Cowboys’ offense didn’t look stuck. It looked free.