Before the No. 10 Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-1, 5-1) get the opportunity to take on Oklahoma for a berth to the Big 12 Championship game, the team first has to travel to Lawrence, Kan., to take on the struggling Jayhawks (3-7, 1-5).
While Oklahoma State may have bigger goals at this point in the season than beating Kansas, the Jayhawks will not be taken lightly.
“Our coaches won’t let us overlook anyone,” junior defensive end Richetti Jones said. “If they feel we are overlooking anyone, coach Gundy will start practice over in a heartbeat.”
A win this Saturday would give the Cowboys 10 wins, a feat the program has only reached three times. Jones said the team isn’t paying any attention to those kind of accomplishments until the season ends.
“We have blinders on like in a horse race,” Jones said. “We are looking straight forward. We are not looking at the side to see what we are accomplishing or the rankings. We really don’t care. It’s all about the Jayhawks.”
The long ball
Quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon have had their fair share of success this season connecting on deep pass plays.
That didn’t change last Saturday, as the two connected on a 67-yard touchdown pass to give the Cowboys a 16-3 lead in the second quarter.
Weeden said he changed Blackmon’s route pre-snap to a go route after recognizing the potential for a big play.
“We’re on the same page there,” Weeden said. “It’s just a timing deal. I throw it out there and I just have an idea about where he is going to be. I don’t really think about it. I’ve gotten to where it’s sort of second nature.”
While Weeden has the responsibility of delivering a well-thrown ball, Weeden said Blackmon executes the play with his ability to adjust to the ball.
“He has a knack for it,” Weeden said. “He does all the hard work. That corner who was covering him was one of the best in the country. The way he used his body to shield him was textbook.”
Biletnikoff Award
Justin Blackmon was named one of 10 semifinalists on Monday for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the nation’s top wide receiver. Blackmon ranks first in the country with 1,430 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns.
He is also closing in on breaking the NCAA sophomore receiving record mark set by Pittsburgh’s Larry Fitzgerald (1,672) in 2003.
“All I can say is this, every time that he is on the field, he is the best player,” offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen said.