Pokes Preview: Oklahoma State hosts Texas Tech in home finale

It’s Senior Day in Stillwater, where Oklahoma State will take on Texas Tech at 2:30 p.m. at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Three questions

Who quarterbacks

Have to start with the quarterback question, right? I would be pretty surprised if Clint Chelf didn’t get his second consecutive start. But who knows with this quarterback carousel? All three–Chelf, Wes Lunt and J.W. Walsh were medically cleared to play against West Virginia last week, and their health should have only improved this week.

Which defense is really improved?

OSU and Texas Tech were, statistically, two of the worst defenses in college football last season as far as yards allowed. This season, both units are much-improved. But Tech hasn’t faced an offense as balanced as OSU’s. And the Cowboys still have the tendency to give up the big passing play. Brodrick Brown and Justin Gilbert have played better in recent weeks, but WVU quarterback Geno Smith flat-out missed a couple deep balls last week.

Which team best uses the emotions of the day?

Tech players haven’t been shy about the fact that 66-6 has stuck with them for a year, so they’ll be jacked up for this game. So will the Cowboys, with it being the final home game of the 2012 season and the final home game ever for these seniors. Additionally, it’s the 1-year anniversary of the plane crash that killed women’s basketball coach Kurt Budke, assistant Miranda Serna and program supporters Olin and Paula Branstetter. Emotions will be flowing on both sidelines today. Whichever team channels them the right way could get a big boost.