Home-SHAMING: Mountaineers Ruin OSU Homecoming

  Their pistols weren't loaded, their horse was dead, and the townspeople no longer had their backs. That's how homecoming felt for the alumni of Oklahoma State, as their Cowboys got romped by West Virginia, 34-10. The score doesn't indicate the actual closeness of the game because it was 20-10 with just over 10 minutes left in the regulation. Sadly, the Pokes couldn't muster a single scoring drive for the whole second half, and got embarrassed with a pick-6 and then another touchdown, just for good measure, was tacked on by the Mountaineer offense in the waning moments of the 4th quarter.

Defensive tackle, Ofa Hautau, #98
of the Oklahoma State Cowboys 
walks off the field after the game
against theWest Virginia Mountaineers.

  With all the offensive weapons at quarterback, Daxx Garman's, disposal, how did the OSU offense sputter, come to a halt, and then die? Enter into the room, Offensive Coordinator for the Cowboys, Mike Yurcich. Yurcich has been doing a piss-poor job of utilizing the speed of Tyreke Hill, (even though he did get several touches from the running back position against WVU) the arm of Garman, and the reliable hands of multiple receivers with massive talent. Could be a harsh accusation though, because the depleted offensive line of OSU is the main reason behind the running game being so stagnant, and when you can't run the ball, you're forced to pass, and defenses blitz you non-stop. Without a properly developed line, giving a stationary quarterback, like Garman, no time whatsoever to pass, you're forced into admitting that your offense is, well...terrible. So if the offensive side of the ball is so bad, does that mean the defense is good?
  When it comes to the Cowboy defense, they have played well enough to keep OSU in ballgames. Remember, it was 17-10 early on in the 3rd quarter, and West Virginia went almost a whole 15 minutes of game time without scoring. That should be ample time for an offense to get the opportunities it needs in order to give you the lead. So if the offense could produce points (which looks like is going to be a struggle the rest of the season, then you've got a winning combination. Unfortunately, the Cowboys have some dooming road games ahead of them that include Baylor, Kansas State, and Oklahoma. With West Virginia being their last home game, it's easy to say that the Cowboys could be finishing 5-7, but with Texas being a foreseeable win, despite the improved play they have shown, OSU should be at least bowl eligible at a disappointing 6-6. But looking ahead, is that really what could happen the Cowboy's season after looking so well in their first 5 games?
  Yes, the Pokes played well against teams they were supposed to beat, but what are the chances OSU pulls off some miraculous wins against these formidable foes they have left on their schedule? To be honest, the only wins that OSU could squeak out in amazing upset fashion look like they could come in Norman against OU because that's a rivalry game and players get pumped for those, or the trip to Manhattan to face K-State is a promising game. K-State is only thrown out there because Texas hung around with them (even though they got shut-out 23-0), and I believe the OSU offense can generate more points than Texas put on the board. If they can pull off those victories, expect the season to go from disappointing, to unexpected.
  Looking ahead to this week, K-State is on the menu for the Cowboys, and they haven't beat the Wildcats since 2012. Just something to think about, as the most disciplined team in the Big 12 hosts the Pokes, and the Little Apple will look to be poppin' when Mike Gundy and Co. roll into town. The kickoff is set for 7 PM CT and will be on ABC.