Oklahoma State football: Cowboys are in good shape as long as they keep winning

Until now?

At 2-2, the Cowboys require four more wins to reach bowl-eligible status. It's reasonable to assume they'll get there — they've made six straight bowl appearances and employ a roster heavy with postseason experience — yet reaching the minimum of six wins is no gimme.

Not after taking two early hits: an upset loss at Arizona and a home setback to Texas, the program's first loss at Boone Pickens Stadium since 2010.

And not with a leaky defense needing an in-season overhaul in a league with overwhelming offenses.

No more rest for the bleary, either, with both bye weeks already in the books.

Ah, but there is some good news.

Coming up: a trip to Kansas this Saturday, followed by visits from Iowa State and TCU.

Clearly, it's feel better — and do better — time for the Cowboys.

The stumbling Jayhawks are 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the Big 12, outscored 76-22 so far in league losses to TCU and Kansas State. Iowa State remains offensively challenged, having split a pair of conference games, losing to Texas Tech and beating TCU, which suddenly has a quarterback quandary with starter Casey Pachall suspended indefinitely after an arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

So this three-week stretch offers opportunity to find some traction and momentum.

Demands it, even, if the Cowboys want to avoid the drama and questions about simple bowl eligibility and re-engage talks about their ability to contend in the Big 12 and stay in play for trips to sunnier and more satisfying December/January destinations.