Oklahoma State football: Cowboys defense set the curve with game for the ages

DEFENSE: A

Magnificent. Simply magnificent. Much maligned this season, the OSU defense had a game for the ages. On OU's first seven possessions, the Cowboys forced the Sooners to punt five times, intercepted a pass and forced a fumble. That helped the Cowboys open a 24-3 halftime lead and cruise to victory. OU managed only 108 yards rushing. That's some crazy good defense.

JOSEPH RANDLE: A

Wasn't this guy supposed to be damaged goods? After a couple of rough games, the Cowboy tailback was splendid. He rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns, and even better, he showed no signs of those fumbling problems that plagued him against Texas Tech and Iowa State.

JEREMY SMITH: A

When Randle wasn't running wild, Smith was. He provided a great one-two punch for the OSU running game, rushing for 119 yards and two touchdowns.

UNIFORMS: A

The Cowboys went black helmets, orange jerseys and black pants, and it was a good look. But what about all black? It is sure to be a stellar combination, but it wasn't used at all during the regular season. Bedlam would've been the perfect time to break it out. The Sooners in their road whites and the Cowboys in head-to-toe black? That would've been an A-plus.

BRANDON WEEDEN: B

Not one of the Cowboy quarterback's better nights — and OSU still won by 34 points. Weeden wasn't his normally smooth self, going 24 of 36 for 217 yards. He had no touchdown passes, but he also had no interceptions, which plagued him in that loss to Iowa State. A solid but not spectacular performance.

DEFENSIVE FRONT: A