If we are basing anything on last season, Spencer Sanders doesn’t need to be perfect to beat Baylor. In fact, he doesn’t need to play that clean of a game.

In two meetings with the Bears last season, Sander threw just one touchdown to seven interceptions. That’s ugly. In his other 11 games in 2021, that ratio ran at 19:5. His passer rating against Baylor in two games was 101.7 compared to the 140.1 he produced against everyone else.

So it would be easy to say that the Bears really have Sanders’ number. But despite all that ugly, he nearly had theirs.

Almost exactly a year prior to this upcoming tilt in Waco, OSU defeated Baylor 24-14 despite a three-interception game by Sanders.

The Cowboys ground out a win in the lower-scoring affair thanks to their patented defense and an ability to control the clock. A dominant OSU run game led by Jaylen Warren doubled the Bears’ rushing output. Sanders has 76 yards on the ground himself. He attempted just 23 pass attempts for 182 yards and a score.

With a shorthanded offensive line and sans Warren, the Cowboys were forced to attack through the air in the Big 12 Championship. OSU mustered just 66 yards on the ground in Jerry World compared to the 219 in the first meeting. Sanders found himself under duress and forced some throws that hadn’t for most of the season. The result was 46 pass attempts and four interceptions.

“I think it was four, I went back and looked at that, four of the seven [Spencer Sanders interceptions against Baylor], I think four of them he was being hit when he let go of the ball,” said Mike Gundy previewing the Cowboys’ trip to Waco.

“And then one he threw off his back foot on a crossing route, overthrew a guy and hit the safety in the stomach. So, we certainly want to be more protective with the ball against them. And I’m not really concerned about it based on the number of turnovers that he had. He was being hit when he threw the ball.”

But the Cowboys did nearly come back.

Despite the woeful stat line, Sanders captained OSU 89 yards down the field on a would-be game-winning drive. They came up short with 24 seconds left. If any one of a handful of those final plays goes differently, the storyline would have been how the “magician” pulled one over on the second-placed Bears.

Sanders earned the magician moniker from his head coach this offseason anyway, and through three games, has done nothing but live up to it. He’s thrown just one pick to 10 touchdowns and — while it’s only been against noncon opponents — is averaging the highest completion percentage of his career at over 65 percent.

Sophomore wide receiver John Paul Richardson has noticed an improvement from Sanders even from last season.

“Ever since the offseason he’s always focused,” said Richardson. “He’s locked in. You can just tell that it matters to him. Like everybody else, we want to win. I think that he’s done a really good job just taking the reins and his mentality fed off to everybody else. I”m definitely excited about where he’s grown and I’m sure he’ll continue to grow down the road.”

And so has Gundy.

“He’s playing pretty good,” said Gundy. “When we protect him a little bit and rush the ball some, he’s a pretty good football player. He’s got good skill. He understands what we’re trying to accomplish. We’ve talked about this a number of times, but he’s had a lot of experience now. Things come to him much easier than they did a couple of years ago.”

If the Cowboys’ offensive line, which is deeper and more healthy than it was for either meeting last season, can keep Sanders upright and give him a couple of extra seconds in the pocket, it might not take a magic trick to come home from Waco with a win.

Carson Cunningham and Colby Powell preview Oklahoma State’s visit to Baylor, the series history and the match-up with major Big 12 title implications on the line.

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There isn’t a one-size-fits-all mold to how the Cowboys are using past games against the Bears as motivation for Saturday — everyone is different.

When No. 9 Oklahoma State kicks off against No. 16 Baylor on Saturday afternoon, there will be no shortage of emotional baggage among the team. The Cowboys had multiple goal-line attempts to seal a dramatic comeback win against the Bears at last year’s Big 12 Championship. Each came up painfully short.

That memory affects all of the returning Cowboys, but each motivates himself in a different way.

For veteran defensive end Brock Martin, it’s all about the here and now. He chooses to approach the conference opener like every game, with blinders on.

“What is the fourth time this the fourth time it’s been asked?” said Martin about the Arlington question. “Honestly, it doesn’t [stick in his mind]. I try not to let things in the past that are negative and/or positive motivate me to be better now. I just focus on myself and my family and the reason why I do this which is that I love football. … That is my motivation to come out here every day.”

Running back Dominic Richards was stuck watching that final drive from the sideline which probably leads to his approach being a little different.

“We use it to fuel us for sure,” said Richardson of the title game loss.

Richardson was supposed to be in during the Cowboys’ first fourth-quarter, goal-line bust before his cleat fell off. Due to the Cowboys going turbo, OSU’s term for their up-tempo offense, Richardson wasn’t able to sub back in. Richardson told Pistols Firing that he thinks about that game all the time.

Even with the added layer of being a Waco native, cornerback Korie Black says he tries to join Martin with the more stoic approach.

“I try to keep it just like any other game,” said Black. “Just focus and play like any other game. Don’t try to make it too big of a game or anything like that. Just treat it like it were any other game.”

Sophomore wide receiver John Paul Richardson comes in somewhere in the middle.

“Obviously, it sucked,” said Richardson. “You never want to lose in that fashion or whatever, but at the end of the day it’s just a game and we were able to learn a lot from that game. It shouldn’t have come down to the last play like that.

“But we’ve been watching the film, and we’re able to grow as a team and just take that game kind of like a grain of salt and move on and focus on the next ball game.”

Martin downplayed the effects of Arlington on his own psyche, but he doesn’t try to dictate how his teammates find their fire.

“Everybody’s different,” Martin said. “Some people like thinking about stuff in the past. I’m just not one of them, personally. Some people are just motivated differently.”

Regardless of what happened last season and how each Cowboys decides to light his own fire, the game in Waco on Saturday will have huge implications on whether the Cowboys can get back to Arlington.

The Cowboys and Bears are the only two teams of the preseason Top 4 still without a Big 12 loss. If OSU can exact revenge on Baylor this weekend, it will not only start off conference schedule with a clear path to the title game, it will go a long way toward putting the Pokes in the driver’s seat.

Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Waco.

Oklahoma State is the latest to offer Isaac Wilson, a talented quarterback and younger brother of New York Jets passer Zach Wilson. The younger Wilson announced the offer via his Twitter account on Thursday.

Who Is He?

Wilson is a talented prospect on his own. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound playcaller is an accurate passer with an arm and a knack for making big plays down the field.

Wilson hails from Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah, where the elder Wilson also starred. He threw 40 (!) touchdowns as s sophomore last year and added two more on the ground while leading Corner Canyon to a state championship. At this year’s Elite 11 competition, Wilson won the Accuracy Challenge.

Here’s 247’s Blair Angulo on Wilson.

Developing frame with decent growth potential considering bloodlines. Big-play quarterback who can dissect defenses with consistent accuracy. Shows a steady, quick release and silent mechanics. Displays ability to fit throws into tight windows at every level. Flashes good zip and arm action, but at times sacrifices top velocity for release speed. Can deliver the ball on time without setting his feet. Looks comfortable throwing on the run and does well to keep his eyes down field. Should continue to add confidence as he becomes more experienced. Could improve overall decision making and gain physical strength. Potential multi-year starter at elite Power Five level.

[247Sports]

Other Involved

The first school to come calling was his brother’s other alma mater, Brigham Young. The Cougars extended back in February of 2021 followed by the likes of Oregon, Miami, UCLA, Oregon State and UCLA. He made an official visit to BYU this spring and has attended camps at Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma, BYU and Miami this year.

In the Rankings

Wilson is the No. 1 player out of Utah according to 247, Rivals, On3 and the 247 Composite rankings. ESPN has him at No. 2. He’s a consensus Top 15 quarterback for the 2024 class.

247Sports — ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / No. 53
On3 — ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / No. 90
Composite — ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / No. 122
Rivals — ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / No. 228
ESPN — ⭐⭐⭐⭐ / No. 252

If Wilson were to eschew his brother’s college path and pick the Cowboys — and if his current Composite grade of .9436 were to hold — he would edge out J.W. Walsh (.9430) as the second-highest ranked quarterback to sign at OSU.

Highlights

The date that’s been circled on OSU fans’ calendars since December is finally upon us. On Saturday night, we’ll know a lot more about Oklahoma State and the Big 12.

The Cowboys are in Waco for their first Big 12 game since that last Big 12 game we won’t talk about. Across the field will be that familiar opponent that got the best of the Pokes in Jerry World. Both OSU and Baylor have a clear path to get back to the conference championship game, but one will be in the driver’s seat after Saturday.

The Pistols Firing crew got together to discuss the anticipated Big 12 title rematch and lay out our predictions for how things will play out.

Marshall Scott

Score Prediction: Baylor 31 | OSU 28

Thoughts: I wouldn’t be surprised any way this game goes because I’m not sure we know enough about either team right now. With that said, it feels like it’s been a month since OSU’s first team has played, getting limited action against Arkansas-Pine Bluff before the bye week. Will they be rested or rusty? I think what will see Saturday are two solid teams going at it, but for now, I give the edge to the home team that has played a little more meaningful football to this point.

Kyle Boone

Score Prediction: OSU 35 | Baylor 17

Thoughts: A statement sent. For weeks we’ve hemmed about the validity of this OSU team’s bonafides — is the defense good enough, can Spencer sustain a contending offense, does the loss of Jim Knowles make it too difficult to overcome — and I get it. They are all valid questions! But we are definitely underrating just how painful a loss for OSU it was last season to come up inches short of a Big 12 championship. Mike Gundy’s going to have this team ready. I like the Pokes in a landslide here as they potentially seize Big 12 frontrunner status in Waco.

Kyle Cox

Score Prediction: OSU 42 | Baylor 35

Thoughts: I’m predicting a good, old-fashioned shootout. The Cowboys have not been as tested as the Bears have thus far, but I think their offense shows up. It will take a cleanish game from Spencer Sanders and a big game from his receiving corps that may get even more lethal with the possible return of Jaden Bray. The Cowboys’ defense makes some plays, but the Bears do too. Cowboys in a close one. And this one’s a good win regardless of how it comes.

Thanks for stopping by – here’s your daily dose of Oklahoma State sports news.

OSU Bullets

• Playing a steady-but-not-explosive Baylor offense, the Pokes need Spencer Sanders to make big plays… for OSU exclusively.

The Cowboys have a better opportunity for big plays because they still have Sanders. Can they trust their quarterback to make a few through the air while avoiding the 7-interceptions crisis from a year ago? Yeah, I think they can.

But I also think they’re going to need Sanders to make something happen with his legs, get wide of Baylor’s nasty defensive interior and ad-lib to 50-60 rushing yards.

[TulsaWorld]

• Understanding Cowboy Basketball’s scholarship situation is quite an exercise

• A reader sent in an idea about Bedlam basketball to the TulsaWorld and I don’t hate it:

Certainly OSU and OU can continue playing basketball. It would be great if they played the last game before Christmas each year alternating between Tulsa and OKC. Huge crowds, great for basketball and a loss doesn’t ruin a season.

[TulsaWorld]

• ESPN has the Pokes as the seventh-best undefeated team in the country

• Everything Mike Boynton said at his first media availability of the season

• The 10/8 home game against Texas Tech is now sold out

• Pokes with an opportunity to end a streak in Waco tomorrow:

Non-OSU Bullets

• Terrific news – you can stream Thunder games in market now for $20/month
• Intriguing how the Big 12 keeps adding folks/departments like this
• Want to help? Try visiting (faith-based)

Last time Oklahoma State faced off against Baylor, it ended in gut-wrenching fashion on a goal-line play that — you know what, forget I mentioned it. Let’s just generalize here and say it didn’t turn out great for OSU. The Cowboys, though, get a shot at a little bit of redemption Saturday as they head to Waco to face the league favorite Bears on their home turf.

Neither OSU nor Baylor to this point have quite looked like the Big 12 title contenders of last season — Baylor has already taken an L and OSU’s defense to this point doesn’t quite look like the unit that served as a juggernaut in its title chase last season — but that doesn’t take away from the shine of Saturday’s stellar afternoon showdown on the Brazos.

Here are five things to know to get you prepped and ready for the big game.

1. Saturday’s game will mark the 42nd meeting between OSU and Baylor in a series that far predates the Big 12, going all the way back to 1914. OSU holds a 22-19 series lead. It has won 19 of the last 27 meetings.

2. Nearly half of Baylor’s wins in the all-time series vs. OSU — nine, to be exact — have come in Waco. The Bears hold a 9-7 record against the Cowboys in Waco. In the last meeting on Baylor’s turf, OSU blasted the Bears 42-3. (If you want to read some dried-up Baylor tears from that meeting they remain absolutely delicious and salty.)

3. OSU fell behind 21-3 to Baylor in the Big 12 title game last season before its defense stood stout in the final half to help the offense rally to a near-win before falling 21-16.

4. Mike Gundy, who served as a Baylor assistant in 1996, is 10-8 in his career vs. Baylor. He is 2-1 facing Baylor head coach Dave Aranda.

5. OSU’s first game against Baylor in the beginning of the series, in 1914, remains its largest margin of victory in all games played against the Bears. OSU won 60-0.

Coming off some extended rest, the Cowboys travel to Waco on Saturday for a few season firsts.

It’ll be Oklahoma State’s first Big 12 game of the season and its first road game. And it comes against the defending Big 12 champs, no less. Here are some statistical breakdowns of this weekend’s game.

Viewing Info

Time: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Location: McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas
Watch: FOX (Jason Benetti and Brock Huard)

Team Stats

Statistical Leaders

Passing:
OSU — Spencer Sanders — 62-for-95 (65%)/916 yards/10 touchdowns/1 interception
Baylor — Blake Shapen — 69-for-100 (69%)/773 yards/7 touchdowns/1 interception

Rushing:
OSU — Dominic Richardson — 43 carries/215 yards/2 touchdowns
Baylor — Richard Reese — 55 carries/315 yards/6 touchdowns

Receiving:
OSU — Braydon Johnson — 14 catches/300 yards/3 touchdowns
Baylor — Gavin Holmes — 7 catches/157 yards/2 touchdowns

Tackling:
OSU — Mason Cobb — 24 total tackles, 15 solo tackles, 6 tackles for loss
Baylor — Al Walcott — 24 total tackles, 10 solo tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss

Sacks:
OSU — Tyler Lacy, Collin Oliver, Mason Cobb and Ben Kopenski — 2 sacks each
Baylor — Bryson Jackson — 2 sacks

Series History (OSU leads 22-19)

These teams first met in 1914, where Oklahoma State won 60-0 in Stillwater.

From there, the Bears rattled off a nine-game winning streak in the series, and in that time OSU scored only 31 total points, getting shut out in five of those games.

After splitting four games from 1972 to 1994, OSU went onto win 15 of 16 from 1996 to 2011.

Before last season’s Big 12 championship game, the biggest contest between the two probably came in 2013 when No. 3 Baylor traveled to Stillwater just to get thumped 49-17.

The 2021 season saw a pair of instant classics where the Cowboys won 24-14 in Stillwater before the Pokes’ hearts got ripped out at the Baylor goal line in Arlington.

Here is a look at the past 10 meetings between the teams:

Big 12 Standings

STILLWATER — Mike Boynton’s current four-man recruiting class feels like a lot, but it might not be enough.

Division-I basketball teams are allowed to have 13 players on scholarship. Oklahoma State enters this season with 11 players on scholarship, initially taking one hit because of the team’s NCAA sanctions before unintentionally taking another when the NCAA deemed Russell Harrison ineligible.

Here are Oklahoma State’s 11 scholarship players:

1. Caleb Asberry — Redshirt senior
2. Bernard Kouma — Senior
3. Avery Anderson — Senior
4. Chris Harris — Senior
5. Kalib Boone — Senior
6. John-Michael Wright — Senior
7. Tyreek Smith — Redshirt junior
8. Bryce Thompson — Junior
9. Woody Newton — Junior
10. Moussa Cisse — Junior
11. Quion Williams — Freshman

Back in the day, seeing six seniors on a roster would mean those six players are done after this season, but not in this post-pandemic world. Among that group of six seniors, Anderson, Harris, Boone and Wright all have an extra season of eligibility because of the pandemic, should they choose to use it. Harris actually should have two seasons because he redshirted with injury last year (but he isn’t listed as a redshirt junior on OSU’s roster). Asberry and Kouma are already in their extra year, according to Boynton.

Then that group of juniors all have two years left after this season, but it’s impossible to say who will stay and who will go.

Boynton said Tuesday that Cisse will “probably not be back in college next year.” A former five-star recruit, Cisse has all the physical tools of being an NBA player at 7-foot-1, 216 pounds. Boynton also said that if Thompson, another former five-star recruit, has a strong year, he could also be testing draft waters after his junior season.

Then on top of all that, because of the sanctions, OSU could elect to burn another scholarship, the final one, next year.

So, how many scholarships does Mike Boynton have available? Somewhere between four and 11 — probably.

“I don’t talk about it,” Boynton said. “I think about it, obviously, because I want to prepare, but it’s an impossible exercise. … What do you do? You just try to sign as many good players as you can and figure it out next year when the time comes.”

Boynton seems on pace to sign good players. OSU’s four-man class of Brandon Garrison, Justin McBride, Jamyron Keller and Connor Dow ranks 12th nationally. And it could grow. Boynton didn’t say whether there is a number of signees he would stop at. At some point, the high school recruiting will probably turn into waiting until the end of the season, seeing who leaves and hitting the transfer portal.

“It’s hard turning down good players,” Boynton said. “Credit to our staff, they’ve done a tremendous job here early in identifying guys who we think can fit what we’re trying to build here in the future. And they ask the question, and again, I have to answer it. Ultimately, I’m responsible for it. I know that there’s a limit of scholarships we have to be at by next fall. We won’t be over it.”