Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys In Search Of Sixth Win Against Baylor
November 05, 2006 | Cowboy Football
Saturday, Nov. 11, 2006
Boone Pickens Stadium (43,500)
Stillwater, Okla. • 11:30 a.m.
Television: Fox Sports Net
Bill Land (play-by-play)
Gary Reasons (analyst)
Emily Jones (sidelines)
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Dave Hunziker (play-by-play)
John Holcomb (analyst)
Robert Allen (sidelines)
Joe Riddle (engineer)
Satellite: Sirius Radio Channel TBA
Internet : www.okstate.com
Storylines
Oklahoma State returns to Stillwater this weekend for another critical Big 12 game, this time against the Baylor Bears. Oklahoma State stands at 5-4 overall and is trying to gain its sixth victory and become bowl eligible just a season after finishing 4-7 overall and 1-7 in the Big 12 Conference in 2005.
The Bears are also in the bowl hunt. Baylor enters the OSU contest 4-6 overall -- one loss away from being eliminated from bowl consideration. The Bears have OSU and a home game with Oklahoma remaining on the schedule.
The Cowboys and the Bears have had some of the most dramatic games in the Big 12 this season. In fact, Oklahoma State and Baylor have combined to play three overtime games and five games decided by five points or less. While Baylor came up short in a couple of non-conference games (a two-point loss at Washington State and an overtime loss to Army), OSU's what-ifs have come in late (or overtime) conference losses to Kansas State and Texas A&M.
November In Stillwater
The Oklahoma State Cowboys, 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the Big 12 Conference, return to Stillwater this week for the next to last home game of 2006 as they host the Baylor Bears in a Big 12 battle. Kickoff is set for 11:30 with Fox Sports Net on hand for television. The game marks the first time this season the Cowboys have been involved in a kickoff prior to 2:30 p.m. It is also OSU's first appearance on Fox this season. FSN will return to Stillwater for the OSU-Oklahoma game on Nov. 25.
What It Means
Oklahoma State will be trying to win its sixth game of the season on Saturday, and become bowl eligible in the process. The Cowboys will be trying to earn their fourth bowl appearance in five seasons, something that hasn't happened in Stillwater since the 1980s when the Cowboys went bowling five times in six seasons (1983 Bluebonnet Bowl, 1984 Gator Bowl, 1985 Gator Bowl, 1987 Sun Bowl, 1988 Holiday Bowl). OSU has surpassed last season's overall (four) and Big 12 (one) win totals with three games remaining in the season.
Cowboys And Bears
The OSU-Baylor football series is even at 12-12. The first meeting between the teams took place back in 1914 with the Cowboys earning a 60-0 victory. However, from 1915 through 1942, Baylor won all nine meetings between the schools. The series did not resume until 1972. Since the schools started competing as Big 12 Rivals, OSU holds a 9-1 advantage with the Baylor win coming last year in Waco. OSU has won the last six meetings between the teams in Stillwater and holds a 7-5 advantage all time as the home team. OSU and Baylor have also met once in the postseason with the Cowboys downing Baylor, 24- 14, in the 1983 Bluebonnet Bowl. The bowl win marked Jimmy Johnson's final game as the Cowboys' head coach.
Stillwater Numbers
The Cowboys have won the last three home battles against Baylor by averaging 54 points per game in their three wins (49-21 in 2004, 63-28 in 2002, and 50-22 in 2000). OSU hasn't scored fewer than 24 points against the Bears since a 14-10 loss in 1994.
Waco Roots
Oklahoma State head football coach Mike Gundy spent the 1996 football season coaching the quarterbacks and serving as the passing game coordinator at Baylor. Another staff member at Baylor at the time was Larry Fedora. Now OSU's offensive coordinator, Fedora was a member of the Bears' staff from 1991 through 1996. During Fedora's tenure in Waco, Baylor made appearances in the Copper, Sun and Alamo Bowls. OSU offensive line coach Joe Wickline coached the Bears' offensive front in 1997 and 1998. OSU freshman defensive back/return specialist Perrish Cox is a graduate of Waco's University High School.
What's Left
Oklahoma State will play its final road game of the regular season on Nov. 18 when it travels to Lubbock to visit Texas Tech. The Cowboys conclude the season with a Nov. 25 game against Oklahoma.
Texas Replay
Oklahoma State is coming off of a 36-10 loss at Texas. The Cowboys committed a season-high in penalties (10-78) and generated a season low in total offense 203. The game marked OSU's first loss of the season not decided in the final minutes.
Bear Facts
Baylor enters the OSU contest 4-6 overall and 3-3 in the Big 12 Conference. Like the Cowboys, the Bears have had their share of tight games this season, including an overtime win over Colorado, an overtime loss to Army, a two-point loss at Washington State and a one-point win over Kansas. Baylor has dropped its last two games (at home to Texas A&M and at Texas Tech). The Bears, with two games remaining, are looking to reach their first bowl game since 1994.
