By the Numbers: OSU Overcomes Slow Start With Scores On 9 of 10 Drives

The Cowboys made a statement on Saturday. This team can absolutely destroy a lesser opponent. Have they always shown that? No. But this is the type of confidence booster you want to see from your squad before you  head out on a month-long tour of some of the Big 12’s toughest stadiums, plus Bedlam.

So, let’s try to digest some of the numbers from the record-setting performance, starting with the Cowboys’ drive chart.

OSU Drive Chart

Not only did the Cowboys set an Oklahoma State record with 747 yards of total offense, they did it after starting the game off by giving up an opening-drive TD, punting and then muffing a punt the other way.

Oklahoma State is just that much better offensively and (as we’ll see below) defensively than the Bears.

OSU’s Pertinent Numbers

• Points per drive (offense): 4.54
• Points per drive (defense): 1.14
• Yards per play: 10.5
• Third-down conversions: 5 of 9 (55.6 percent)
• Average starting field position: Own 28-yard line
• Red-zone scoring: 4 of 4 (Four TDs)
• Points off turnovers: 14
• Time of possession: 24:21

The Cowboys were much better in the red-zone. Scratch that. They were as good as you can possibly be without going for two every trip. I’ll update the numbers later this week but the Cowboys spiked their PPR (points per red-zone attempt) numbers with a 7.0-average on Saturday. I know, it’s Baylor. But heading into this week, Baylor actually ranked fourth in defensive PPR, four spots above a Texas Tech defense that just held the Cowboys to 4.1 PPR before the bye week.

Baylor Drive Chart

After a fast start from Zach Smith and Co. — a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended in the end zone — the Bears’ offense was stifled by OSU. The Cowboys forced three turnovers plus one on downs to end the game.

We all know what Baylor is, and it’s far from competing in this league. But it does have some legit skill players and has shown the ability to put up points and yards in oodles. I’m looking at you, Mike Stoops. But the Cowboys said dismissed them easily, and this game was over shortly after it started.

Baylor’s Pertinent Numbers

• Points per drive (offense): 1.14
• Points per drive (defense): 4.54
• Yards per play: 4.7
• Third-down conversions: 4 of 18 (38.9 percent)
• Average starting field position: Own 27-yard line
• Red-zone scoring: 3 of 3 (one TD, two field goals)
• Points off turnovers: 3
• Time of possession: 35:39

The Cowboys more than doubled the Bears in yards per play, nearly doubled them in total offense and points per drive discrepancy was almost as eye-popping as the final box score. Baylor only crept within OSU’s 20-yard line thrice and they were held to field goals on two of those trips.

It was a great defensive effort from Glenn Spencer’s group and, aside from a couple of sloppy plays and a head-scratching fumble, Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Snow could only stand by and watch as the Pokes sprinted up and down the field. Good win. Rudolph gets to slide the final Big 12 feather into his cap. Let’s move on to Texas.