Oklahoma State continues quest for elusive league win in conflict vs. TCU

Oklahoma State is running out of chances to earn its first Big 12 win this season.

The Cowboys hope to pick up their initial conference victory — and avoid a seventh straight loss overall — when they visit TCU on Saturday night in Fort Worth, Texas.

This weekend likely marks the best remaining chance for Oklahoma State (3-6, 0-6) to earn a league win. The Cowboys’ final two games will be against Texas Tech and Colorado, and both of those schools are in the top half of the league standings.

That said, TCU (5-4, 3-3) is no slouch. The Horned Frogs had won three of four games before dropping a 37-34 decision to Baylor last week on the final play of the game.

Josh Hoover passed for 333 yards for the Horned Frogs, connecting with Jack Bech five times for 98 yards and two scores in a losing effort.

“We played a clean game,” TCU coach Sonny Dykes said. “We didn’t turn the football over. We didn’t capitalize on every opportunity that we should have, clearly. It’s frustrating.”

Meanwhile, Oklahoma State’s six-game skid surprisingly has featured tight losses to ranked foes Utah and BYU and blowouts at the hands of unranked opponents West Virginia and Arizona State.

In last weekend’s 42-21 loss to the Sun Devils, the Cowboys managed just 270 yards. Ollie Gordon ran for a season-low 25 yards on 11 carries, while Alan Bowman (175 passing yards) was held under 200 yards for the third time in four games.

“I have a good idea of what’s going on. I’m aware of where we’re at as a team,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said. “I’m aware of where we’re at (from a) personnel standpoint on offense, defense and special teams. This is my job. This is what I do. … It’s a very common day-to-day for me to look at where everything’s at and to continue to try to work toward the goal, which is try to find a way to win on Saturday.”

The Cowboys must win their final three games to become bowl eligible for the 19th straight season.

TCU has won four of the last six meetings, including 43-40 in double overtime in the most recent matchup on Oct. 15, 2022.

–Field Level Media