Oklahoma State Falls to 0-2 in Big 12 Before West Virginia Matchup

As West Virginia enjoyed the day off, their next opponent experienced another tough loss. Oklahoma State will now head into their matchup with WVU very vulnerable after losing to Kansas State on Saturday.

The Cowboys fell to the Wildcats by the convincing score of 42-20, dropping their second straight conference game. Despite three overall wins on the season, Oklahoma State is now 0-2 in the Big 12 standings.

Statement upset by the Wildcats 🔥#Big12FB | @KStateFB pic.twitter.com/ewiiiF8xUK

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 28, 2024

Kansas State running back DJ Giddens ran for 187 yards on 15 carries against the Cowboys, providing a blueprint for WVU.

Considering the depth of the conference, the Mountaineers will have an opportunity to bury the Cowboys next week, as an 0-3 Big 12 record will be extremely difficult to dig out of.

West Virginia entered their first of two bye weeks at 2-2 (1-0, Big 12) ofter a 32-28 win over Kansas. WVU had to rally from an 11-point deficit to beat the Jayhawks.

West Virginia’s victory impressed the ESPN FPI (Football Power Index) enough to warrant a significant jump in their rankings.

The Mountaineers are now at No. 43, getting back within the top 50 following a dip all the way to No. 51 on the heels of the loss in the Backyard Brawl.

On Monday, the Big 12 announced that West Virginia and Oklahoma State will kickoff at 4 pm ET and 3 pm local time in Stillwater. The game will air nationally on ESPN2.

WVU head coach Neal Brown detailed his thoughts about the Big 12 as a whole and his approach to the bye week during a radio appearance.

WVU HC Neal Brown Details Approach to Schedule, Talks Depth of Big 12

“I think you make a mistake if you take the long-term approach,” said Brown when asked how he approaches the schedule on Sirius XM’s College Sports Today show.

“For me, it’s got to be week-to-week. And that’s the way we really approached it going into the Kansas week, and that’s going to be the way we approach it as we move through the season.”

He also talked directly about the trip to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State.

“This week we’re open and we needed it. We’re banged up a little. So, really, the focus is rest, recovery, and we’ll start a little bit of Oklahoma State. And as soon as Sunday hits, it’s all about Oklahoma State,” Brown said.

“Oklahoma State, it’s a tough trip. It’s one of the tougher venues to go play at in our league,” added Brown about West Virginia’s next matchup. “They’re loud, they’re right on top of you and they’ve got a really good football team. So, we’re going to have our hands full.”