Patrick Lavine and the Cowboy defense will need to turn in its best performance of the year against Heisman Trophy candidates Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin. Missouri has the nation’s second-ranked scoring offense. The game is at 7 p.m. on Saturday, and will be shown on ESPN2.
Although OSU is undefeated and ranked No. 17 in the country, many say it hasn’t truly been “tested,” yet.
If Saturday night’s nationally televised game at No. 2 Missouri doesn’t qualify as a “test,” then nothing does.
The Cowboys (5-0, 1-0 Big 12) will take on the Tigers (5-0, 1-0) at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be televised on ESPN2.
Coach Mike Gundy said Saturday’s game will be the biggest of many of his players’ careers but they need to maintain their composure.
“We’re trying to keep everything within realm, and they need to understand that they need to go out there and just play,” Gundy said.
Quarterback Zac Robinson said the players try to stay calm the week before a big game but the excitement eventually begins to take over.
“When Thursdays come around, you start getting excited about the game,” Robinson said. “We just have to prepare throughout the week, but we are definitely very excited about this game.”
Although the Cowboys and Tigers do not face each other every season, the series has a history of exciting games.
A touchdown or less has decided five of the past six OSU-Missouri matchups.
Three of those five games have gone into overtime, including a triple-overtime 41-38 Missouri victory in 2001 and a double-overtime 51-50 Missouri victory in 1997.
Linebacker Andre Sexton said with both teams entering the game undefeated and ranked in the top 20 nationally, the stakes are even higher for the series.
“I love an opportunity like this going in to play a top five team in their home place,” Sexton said. “With the success we’ve had, it is just an opportunity to showcase how good we really are.
“We are just excited to be in this position to play such a great team and very explosive offense.”
“Explosive offense” might not be a strong enough term to use for either team in Saturday’s game.
Both the Cowboys and Tigers rank among the leaders nationally in several offensive categories.
Oklahoma State is second nationally in rushing offense, while Missouri is third in passing offense.
OSU is sixth nationally in total offense; Missouri third.
The Tigers are second in points scored per game, with the Cowboys right behind them in third.
To counter OSU’s Zac Robinson, who ranks third nationally in passing efficiency, and Big 12 Player of the Week Dez Bryant, Missouri has Heisman candidates Chase Daniel at quarterback and Jeremy Maclin at receiver.
It is clear that the offense will be on full display on Saturday, and Sexton said the team that holds the opposing offense in check might come away with a victory.
“I don’t think you can stop an offense like this,” Sexton said. “I think you just have to slow them down a little bit and try to contain them.
“We just need to get pressure on Chase Daniel by getting in his face and trying to hit him and disrupt him a bit to get him out of his groove.”
OSU will be looking for its first win over a top-five opponent since 2002 when it defeated Oklahoma 38-28 in Stillwater.
Sexton said coming away from Columbia with a victory will not be easy, but it would be a sign the program is moving in the right direction.
“A win would give our fans something to be really excited about,” Sexton said.
“We can’t be sold at 5-0. We have to keep progressing and getting better.”
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