Where OSU-Pitt Ranks among Gundy’s Biggest Power 5 Wins

The Cowboys’ 38-point beatdown of Pittsburgh was significant for several reasons. It capped one of the best non-conference starts in Mike Gundy’s tenure. Mason Rudolph and the Cowboys set a few records and, most importantly, head into conference play unscathed and looking as good as ever with a No. 6 ranking. Mike Gundy’s squad controls its own destiny and that’s all you can ask for in Week 4.

But the game itself is also significant because it tied for the fifth-largest margin of victory against a Power 5 opponent in Mike Gundy’s career and the biggest since OSU’s 58-14 drumming of Purdue in the Heart of Dallas Bowl following the 2012 season.

Here’s a look at how Pitt ranks among Gundy’s most-lopsided Power 5 wins.

No. 2 OSU at Texas Tech (2011) – 60-Point win

This memorable blowout of a conference rival was the biggest of a Power 5 conference opponent not only in Mike Gundy’s tenure but in the modern era at OSU. It’s also still the worst home loss in Red Raider history.

Brandon Weeden had his best game statistically completing 31 of 38 passes for 423 yards and five TDs with no interceptions. Both Justin Blackmon and Josh Cooper reached 100-plus yards in the air and Herschel Sims pitched in 109 yards to Joe Randle’s 78.

OSU vs. Kansas (2015) – 48-point win

This was the Homecoming 2015 tragedy game. J.W. Walsh stole the show (and Mason Rudolph’s TDs) early on, and OSU jumped out 28-0 on the poor Jayhawks (who will appear on this list again). Mason Rudolph finished the day 20-26 for 305 yards and a TD. Walsh was 5-5. The Oil Baron even got a little action late. Jeff Carr led OSU in rushing with 51 yards.

OSU vs. Washington State (2010) – 48-point win

The beginning of the Brandon Weeden-Justin Blackmon era (post-Colorado version) was usurped by Kendall Hunter who had 21 carries for 257 yards (12.2 average) and 4 TDs. Blackmon chipped in 125 and 3 TDs of his own, and OSU led 38-10 at the half. It got so out of hand, Johnny Deaton actually completed one of his two passes late in the game.

OSU vs. Purdue (Bowl following 2012) – 44-Point Win

Mike Gundy earned his third-straight bowl win — still his longest streak — in this one-sided affair. The Cowboys went up 45-nothing before the Big Ten team got on the board late in the third. That OSU finished T3 in the Big 12 and faced a Purdue team that was just happy to be, well out of Indiana in January. The Boilermakers haven’t been to a bowl since and won just nine games the next four seasons.

Kansas at No. 6 OSU (2011) – 44-point win

No. 6 Oklahoma State was fresh off of a dramatic win in College Station the week before and welcomed a potential snare-setting Kansas Jayhawk team sitting at 2-2. The Cowboys dispelled any ideas that this team lacked for focus and held a 56-7 lead at half time. Weeden was done early with 288 yards and five touchdowns and Clint Chelf had 200-plus yards and two scores in garbage time.

Iowa State at No. 9 OSU (2008) – 42-point win

Zac Robinson took it to the Cyclones for 395 yards and a career-high five TDs and Dez racked up 171 receiving yards and four scores (both career highs). Kendall Hunter chewed up 104 yards on the ground and his own score.

Baylor at OSU (2006) – 42-point win

In Mike Gundy’s second year at the helm, he got one of his most dominant Power 5 wins against the Bears. Just one season removed from a 1-7 conference record, OSU ended 7-6 with a win over Alabama in the Independence Bowl.

No. 23 Texas Tech at OSU (2012) – 38-point win

In 2012, the Cowboys took an expected step back following the departure of Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon. The Cowboys were 6-3 when a the 23rd-ranked Red Raiders came to town. Tech had started 5-1 with its one loss to then-17th ranked Oklahoma in Norman. But it followed going 1-2 with losses to Texas and No. 4 Kansas State and a win at Kansas heading into Week 10.

Clint Chelf and Isaiah Anderson did their best Weeden-to-Blackmon impression with Anderson racking up 174 yards and three touchdowns, both career highs by a lot. Chelf tossed it around for 229 and those three TDs and no picks. Joseph Randle added 91 yards and a score.

The final score to that game was a familiar 59-21. The Cowboys were up 35-7 at the half, the same lead OSU enjoyed midway through the second quarter against Pitt. Oklahoma State famously didn’t complete a forward pass after halftime but outscored Tech 24-7.