Pokes Preview: Oklahoma State travels to Baylor for regular-season finale

Happy December from a…warm…Waco. It’s supposed to be in the low 80s today. Definitely doesn’t feel like the holiday season, but should be some nice football weather.

Oklahoma State concludes its 2012 regular season against the Bears. This is a critical game for the Cowboys as far as bowl positioning goes.

Three questions

Can the OSU corners defend Baylor’s passing game?

It probably shouldn’t be baffling at this point in the season, but man, OSU’s cornerbacks continue to struggle. Early in the season, teams burned them with the deep ball. Against OU, Landry Jones threw for 500 yards and virtually nothing was over-the-top. Baylor brings the nation’s third-best passing offense into this game, with quarterback Nick Florence and wide receiver Terrance Williams leading the charge. How do they attack the Cowboys? And can the Cowboys stop it?

How much does Clint Chelf run?

Chelf has always been regarded as a quarterback with mobility. But enough mobility to gain 38 yards on quarterback draws and have trick plays designed for him to catch and run? That was a surprising wrinkle installed for Bedlam that really worked for the Cowboys. Now Baylor’s seen that on film, though, so I’m curious to see how much Chelf runs today.

Is there any Bedlam hangover?

Players and coaches admitted this week that it would be difficult for OSU to get over the heartbreaking loss to OU, a game the Cowboys never trailed until the final score. Instead of practicing Sunday, coach Mike Gundy had the Cowboys watch stand-up comedians to try to ease their bodies and minds. It will be interesting to see how the Cowboys come out emotionally in this game.

Three goals

(Spoiler: These will all be defensive goals, for obvious reasons)

Continue to plug the middle

John Holcolmb is reporting on the Cowboy Radio Network that starting defensive tackle James Castleman was injured in practice this week and will not play today. Anthony Rogers, a part-time starter in 2011, was warming up with the first-team defense during pregame warmups. Castleman has obviously been a key part of OSU’s improved front seven. Calvin Barnett will need to perform well at the other starting spot, and Davidell Collins and Christian Littlehead will need to contribute, as well.