Oklahoma State Preview

Week 12 match-up is between Oklahoma State and Colorado at Folsom Field in Boulder Colorado at 6pm mountain time and broadcast live on ABC.

Oklahoma State comes into the game 8-2 and 4-12 in the Big XII to face the Colorado Buffs 5-5 and 2-4 in Big XII play.

History

The Buffs lead the series with at 26-17-1 record including 13-7 at Folsom Field in Boulder. CU has one 11 or the past 13 games.

Previous Match-ups

The last time these two teams met was on October 1, 2005 and it was a memorable one. CU started fast and never looked back. The scoring fest began on the first play of the game with Hugh Charles sprinting 74 yards for a touchdown. The Buffs were in route to the first home shutout for the OSU Cowboys in 14 years.

The last time the game was played in Boulder was one Buff fans would like to forget. OSU rolled the Buffs 42-14 but were able to shut out CU until the 4th quarter. The Cowboys held a 21-0 lead and lead as much as 28-0 before the Buffs were able to put points on the board with a 6 yard run by Lawrence Vickers. The Buffs used 3 different quarter backs to try to get on the board.

This will be the first time Coach Dan Hawkins and Mike Gundy will coach against each other. Both teams had different coaches the last time the met.

The Scoop on OSU

OSU has averaged 264.8 yards per game rushing this season. They lead the Big XII and are 6th in the nation in rushing. The Cowboys average nearly 43 points per game and if that weren't enough OSU is 4th in the nation for net punting with a 41 yard average.

Keys for a win this week

The Buffs need to get out to a fast start. When CU scores first and early they have much better results. CU also needs to build on the successful running game from last week with a healthy dose of Darrell Scott (CU's prize recruit from last season) and Demetrius Sumler. The defense for the Buffs need to hold back former Colorado's Chatfield High School quarterback Zac Robinson and the high powered OSU offense. This year he has thrown for 2264 yards and 20 touchdowns with 7 interceptions.

The special teams needs to step up and fix the kick return team that last week allowed Iowa State to return a kick to the 39 yard line with only 90 seconds left in the game. CU has only made 4 of 14 field goals this season and is 28% the lowest in the nation. That number has to get better for the Buffs to be successful on the field. Last week the Buffs missed 2 field goals and a blocked extra point. Those missed opportunities could have cost CU the game.

My Prediction for the week

I think the Buffs will put up a fight, stay in the game and get bowl eligible this week before having a week off to prepare for the annual rivalry game at Nebraska the day after Thanksgiving.

Buffs win 35-33