John Holcomb: Cowboys Remain Undefeated Heading Into Big 12 Play Against Utah

There’s an old saying in golf that there aren’t any pictures on the score card when it comes to how well or how poorly you played. Basically, what matters is your final number, and in the Cowboys’ case, that number is still perfect. Three wins, no losses as they head into Big 12 play.

Snapshots of the nonconference schedule reveal some good, and some areas that need improvement. That’s the case for most successful teams across the nation. For OSU, big plays by Arkansas stick out the most, but the second-half effort by the defense and the team’s never-say-die mentality cancel a lot of the concern.

There’s also the lack of an explosive run game with last year’s leading rusher in college football Ollie Gordon totaling fewer than 200 yards so far. Teams are putting an extra man or two near the line of scrimmage, making it hard for the Cowboy offensive line to block everyone. Mike Gundy said Monday that OSU got a favorable run look from TU only 4 times last Saturday, and the Cowboys rushed the ball effectively on those plays, so the head coach isn’t overly concerned at the moment.

In the 45-10 win over the Golden Hurricane, the Cowboys started fast and maximized their advantage against the Tulsa secondary. Alana Bowman has a lot of dangerous receivers to throw to, and DeZhaun Stribling, Talyn Shettron and Brennan Presley all enjoyed big days catching passes. The offensive line is protecting Bowman really well.

Defensively OSU, even without the injured Collin Oliver is becoming a group priding itself on pressuring the quarterback. The Cowboys never let TU’s Kirk Francis get into a rhythm.

On Saturday Big 12 preseason favorite Utah will be at Boone Pickens Stadium, and the Utes will try to do what every opponent so far has tried- slow the OSU ground game. Kyle Whittingham and Gundy are each in their 20th seasons at their respective schools, and there aren’t many secrets about Utah’s defensive philosophy. Offensively the Utes have an interesting quarterback situation. Veteran starter Cam Rising has missed action since injuring his right hand in the second quarter of the win over Baylor two weekends ago. Freshman Isaac Wilson has performed well in Rising’s place despite his inexperience. Utah features three backs who could split snaps when it’s time to run the ball.

Utah has built its success in recent years on being a tough, physical program. Nothing seems to have changed this season. Gundy says Whittingham has done things similarly to how OSU has built long-term success- develop under-recruited players, team-first guys who sometimes play with a chip on their shoulder.

This may be the 62-year-old Whittingham’s first and only trip to Stillwater as head coach of the Utes. He hasn’t set a retirement date, but Utah does have a head coach in waiting already named. It’s a tough way for both teams to open the league schedule, and regardless of Saturday’s outcome, it could be the first of two meetings this season. The potential of a rematch in the Big 12 Championship game in Arlington in December is a long way away, but the early signs from the Cowboys and the Utes suggest it’s possible.