Alamo Bowl Preview: Oklahoma State’s 2016 season

The No. 12 Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-3, 7-2 Big 12) finished the season falling short of a Big 12 Championship with a 2-2 record against ranked teams. Dec. 29’s Alamo Bowl will showcase a strong Buffaloes offense against the 106th ranked OSU defense. If you haven’t seen Oklahoma State this year, here’s a preview to enjoy.

Week 1: Sept. 3, 2016 vs. Southeastern Louisiana (61-7 Win)

The first non-conference game of the season vs. the Lions was over before it started with the No. 21 ranked Cowboys jumping out to a 28-0 lead in first quarter. Coach Mike Gundy rested his starters in the second quarter and Jhajuan Seales had his best game of the season by catching two touchdowns passes. A 61-7 domination of the lesser FCS opponent somehow lowered OSU to No. 22 in the AP Poll the following week.

Week 2: Sept. 10, 2016 vs. Central Michigan (30-27 Loss)

A contest between the No. 22 Cowboys and Chippewas should’ve resulted in a win for OSU. After one of the most controversial endings in college football history, CMU left Stillwater with a 30-27 victory on a wild Hail Mary and lateral play. An officiating error allowed Central Michigan to score the game-winning touchdown following an intentional grounding penalty given to Oklahoma State on fourth down with no time left in the game.

Week 3: Sept. 17, 2016 vs. Pittsburgh (45-38 Win)

One of the teams Pittsburgh couldn’t upset this season was Oklahoma State. Cowboys running back Rennie Childs had his best game of the season, rushing for 101 yards and four touchdowns. Both teams combined for 1,167 total yards of offense with Pitt rushing for 290 yards.

Week 4: Sept. 24, 2016 at No. 16 Baylor (35-24 Loss)

Baylor started out the season looking strong and tanked in week 7. Unfortunately, Oklahoma State ran into the Bears before Waco fell apart and suffered the second loss of the season. Four Cowboys turnovers helped Baylor’s Seth Russell throw for 387 yards and four touchdowns in OSU’s defeat.

Week 5: Oct. 1, 2016 vs. No. 22 Texas (49-31 Win)

A game that statistically Oklahoma State should have lost ended up favoring the Cowboys with Mason Rudolph throwing three touchdowns in the 49-31 upset. It would be the beginning of the end for Charlie Strong at Texas, who at that point was 4-6 in the last ten games. The victory was the first of a seven-game conference winning streak for OSU.

Week 6: Oct. 8, 2016 vs. Iowa State (38-31 Win)

The Cyclones came into the game with one win and kept the Cowboys on the ropes until the fourth quarter. OSU rallied from being down 17 points behind James Washington’s eight catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns.

Week 8: Oct. 22, 2016 at Kansas (44-20 Win)

Homecoming in Lawerence was short lived after halftime. The Cowboys scored 20 unanswered points in the second half on the way to a 44-20 win. Three turnovers from OSU’s defense helped to secure a fifth win on the season and left them one away from being bowl eligible for a tenth consecutive season.

Week 9: Oct. 29, 2016 vs. No. 10 West Virginia (37-20 Win)

Coach Mike Gundy’s 100th career win at OSU was an upset of the top ten Mountaineers. The game wasn’t even close with the Cowboys jumping out to a 27-10 lead going into the fourth quarter. Mason Rudolph went 26-of-36 for 273 yards and three touchdowns.

Week 10: Nov. 5, 2016 at Kansas State (43-37 Win)

After the upset of West Virginia, Oklahoma State climbed back into the rankings at No. 18 in the AP poll. The Cowboys got a scare from the Wildcats, but held off a surge in the third quarter. OSU gained a total of 637 yards on offense and three turnovers on defense for a well-rounded game vs. K-State.

Week 11: Nov. 12, 2016 vs. Texas Tech (45-44 Win)

An old-fashioned Big 12 shootout between the Red Raiders and Cowboys came down to the last two minutes of the game. OSU had a 45-38 lead before TT’s Quinton White scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, making the score 45-44 with 1:44 left in the game. The ensuing PAT was missed Texas Tech, sealing the one point win for No. 13 Oklahoma State.

Week 12: Nov. 19, 2016 at TCU (31-6 Win)

No. 11 Oklahoma State knew a win vs. the Horned Frogs would turn Bedlam against the Sooners into a pseudo Big 12 Championship game. Mason Rudolph ran for two scores and threw another in the easy 31-6 win for the Cowboys.

Week 14: Big 12 Championship at No. 9 Oklahoma (38-20 Loss)

The No. 9 Oklahoma showed why they’re the defending Big 12 champions and took care of business against No. 10 Oklahoma State, defeating the Cowboys 38-20. Heisman Trophy candidates Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook worked in tandem for the Sooners, contributing to 629 total yards of offense against OSU.