Oklahoma State football: Todd Monken doesn't care about offensive stats

Gundy also believes playing behind Randle and Smith, arguably the best 1-2 running back duo in the Big 12, has benefited Roland's development in his second season.

“We've been fortunate that we've had a back about every two years to pull kind the other one along,” Gundy said. “Joe learned from Kendall (Hunter), and now Desmond needs to learn from Jeremy and Joe. … He's got two good guys there to follow that should lead by example.”

OPPONENT WATCH: KANSAS GETS PHYSICAL DURING BYE WEEK

OSU is sticking to its normal bye week schedule this week, with one more practice scheduled for Thursday before the players are released until a Sunday evening workout.

Kansas, the Cowboys' next opponent, had a different strategy during its bye last week.

“It wasn't a light week for 'em,” coach Charlie Weis told the Lawrence Journal-World. “They probably hit more last week than they've hit any week the entire season. They hit Tuesday, they hit Wednesday, they hit Thursday, and everything was full-speed. Quarterbacks were live the whole week, too. There were no red jerseys out there.”

The Jayhawks face No. 7 Kansas State on Saturday in Manhattan before returning home to take on the Cowboys on Oct. 13.