Oklahoma State vs. Texas: Three Key Players For Championship Game
The Oklahoma State Cowboys are back in the conference championship game for the second time in three seasons, and it will be taking on the Texas Longhorns on Saturday at 11 a.m. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
Texas has talent all across the field, so it will be a tough matchup for the Cowboys. Oklahoma State can get it done on Saturday if these three players step up and make some plays.
Ollie Gordon
The sophomore running back has to get going against the Longhorns. Gordon leads the nation in rushing yards this season, averaging close to 132 yards per game.
Gordon has also collected 20 rushing touchdowns this season, including five touchdowns last week against BYU. He is the first running back to do that for the Cowboys since Barry Sanders.
With Texas giving up only 85 rushing yards a contest this season, Gordon will have to get his yards the hard way on Saturday. If Gordon can get going, OSU will have an easier time against the Longhorns.
Nick Martin
Mike Gundy said on Monday, Martin has been a big surprise this season. The linebacker will have his biggest test on Saturday.
Martin has been excellent for OSU, averaging 10 tackles a game, including 17 tackles twice this season.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has been consistent this season, completing over 69% of his passes this season, but he struggled against Oklahoma State last season.
Ewers completed 38% of his passes against the Cowboys, including throwing three interceptions. If Martin can get pressure on Ewers, look for some wild throws and some turnovers from the Longhorns.
Alan Bowman
This will be the biggest stage Bowman has been on in his career, and it will be the toughest defense he has faced this season.
Bowman has struggled some in recent weeks, throwing six interceptions in the last three games, including two interceptions last week against BYU.
Texas comes in with 21 turnovers gained this season, including 15 interceptions. The Longhorns are also tough on third downs, averaging 26% on third-down conversions on defense this season.
Bowman’s previous game against the Longhorns was impressive, collecting five touchdowns against Texas in 2020. Bowman will have to do the same on Saturday to give OSU a shot to win the Big 12 Championship.
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Nick is a sports media student at Oklahoma State University, where he also minors Sports Managment. He has covered OSU softball for 107.7 The Franchise and also covers Oklahoma high school football for Enid News & Eagle.