OSU’s Offense Showing Major Improvement on 3rd Downs

Usually when Oklahoma State fans talk about the Cowboys and third downs, they’re talking about the defense. But third downs have been key to how the OSU offense is performing so far this year.

So much of college offenses are predicated on rhythm, and a key third-down pickup can keep the momentum rolling downhill. Take this third-and-long from OSU’s own goal line on Saturday. It was just 7-0 at the time, but that third-down gain was part of a drive that made it 14-0, and, as Mike Gundy might say, it’s over.

So far through three games the Cowboys are 22-39 converting a third down, or 56 percent. That’s a drastic increase from last season and is the mark of an experienced, good team.

Through the first three games in 2016, OSU converted 9 of 32 third downs, or 34 percent. That means OSU is completing 22 percent more of their third downs this time around. That’s huge.

While that’s impressive, the real number we need to examine is OSU’s efficiency when Mason Rudolph is in the game.

With Rudolph behind center the Cowboys are 21-29 on third down, or 72 percent this season. Through three games last year? OSU was 9-32, or 28 percent with Rudolph leading the offense.

There is a thing I think has played into this major improvement: The run game.

While OSU figured things out by the end of the year, it wasn’t great to begin with. Through three games last year OSU was averaging 3.06 yards per carry. This year? OSU is averaging 5.5 yards per carry, without an FCS opponent on the schedule.

With this new-found run game, OSU is able to get more yards in early downs, and not rely solely on Rudolph’s arm to get them out of trouble late. Back to the momentum — when it’s third and four, you can manage that. And OSU has been doing a pretty good job when it’s more than that as well.

All of it adds up to just one component of an elite offense three games into the season.