Look out Baylor and TCU, because No. 12 Oklahoma State (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) might just have an offense that can keep pace and shock you. The Cowboys outlasted Texas Tech (5-4, 2-4 Big 12) in a wild shootout in Lubbock, leaving town with a 70-53 victory.
Oklahoma State wide receiver James Washington had quite the monster performance, catching four passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns. With over 1,200 yard of offense between these two Big 12 programs, Washington was not alone in having a big game in the box score.
Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph had himself a 285-yard performance. Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes had 480 yards and four touchdowns, but two interceptions. The second interception came in the final minute of the game, with Oklahoma State’s Ramon Richards returning it 59 yards for a touchdown to pad the final score. Red Raider receiver Jakeem Grant had 179 receiving yards and 146 kick return yards, including a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Four different players attempted a pass for Oklahoma State, with J.W. Walsh, Austin Hays and Chris Carson each getting a chance to move the ball through the air.
Oklahoma State now prepares for a brutal backend to the Big 12 schedule with a home game against TCU next week. The Horned Frogs get a couple of extra days to prepare for the game after knocking off West Virginia on Thursday night. Following the home game against the Frogs, Oklahoma State visits Iowa State and then hosts Baylor and Oklahoma to close out the 2015 regular season. The Cowboys have a difficult road, but the path is still pretty clear to a Big 12 title if they can score some wild wins down the stretch.
Texas Tech’s final games are the polar opposite it would seem, at least compared to Oklahoma State’s schedule. The hardest games are likely behind for the Red Raiders. All that remains for Texas Tech are a road game at West Virginia, a home game with Kansas State and a season-ending road game in Austin against the Texas Longhorns. Texas Tech could be looking at a huge end to the season, even if a Big 12 title is out of reach.