Iowa State is not a joke. They play hard for Paul Rhoads. They LOVE to play for him, and recently, they have loved playing spoiler at home. The first game that comes to mind was a couple years ago against Texas that wiped away any hope for the horns to win the Big 12 Championship.

The game just had that sense of an upset early on. The Pokes, very uncharacteristically, turned the ball over a lot. Interceptions and fumbles came early and often against the Cowboys. When a team does that, especially on the road, it spells "upset city". The Cyclones, any other day, had no business being on the field with the pokes. However, that's why they play the game. We all expected Weeden, Blackmon and Randle to have a field day against an inferior opponent. The game drug on, the Cowboys mounted a 24-7 lead early in the third quarter and from that point on, nearly every American would have labeled this game as "done".

The Pokes, once again, allowed over 500 total yards of offense. You just can't expect to win over and over giving up so many yards. In the only two recent close games, OSU hasn't had those timely turnovers that had guided them to a number 2 ranking in the BCS. Teams just can't rely on the turnover margin game after game and expect it to work.

Something happened after Weeden hit Tracy Moore early in the third for a touchdown. The Cowboys owned a 24-7 advantage. The Cyclones marched right back and forced a couple of Weeden interceptions that ultimately won the game in overtime. Was it pressure? Was it heavy hearts? Was it a pure lack of concentration? You tell me. I think it was a combination of Iowa State being in prime game mode. I think it was a sense of worry that they hadn't faced all year. Freshman quarterback Jared Barnett really shined. He accounted for over 450 total yards and three scores. He's going to be a headache for a lot of teams in the next three years for the Big 12. The Cowboys just couldn't find an answer and to me, it's unexplainable. In the end, scabbed by Weeden's third interception, Iowa State scored in three plays to end the game in double overtime 37-31.

Here are a few quotes from the OSU locker room after the game:

–"This one stings. This one's tough," said Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden, who threw three interceptions.

–"I hate it for the guys. But it's real simple. If you lose the turnover battle in such a big fashion, it's extremely hard to win a game, especially on the road," Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said.

What a tough loss for OSU, who were poised to march into New Orleans in January to play for the crystal ball. WAIT A SECOND, the Cowboys only slipped to number 4 in the BCS. That means, if Arkansas beats LSU, then Georgia somehow wins the SEC, who knows what can happen! A strong finish by the Cowboys, and with what has happened in this crazy season, anything can happen! It should be a fun ride!

Weeden stats through 11/16/2011 (10 games)

313/428 – 3,635 yards – 31TD/9INT

Andrew Luck stats through 11/16/2011 (10 games)

221/313 – 2,695 yards – 29TD/7INT

You can make a case that Luck and the Stanford Cardinal have a run first offense, however, the stats speak for themselves. Luck has suffered a loss, Weeden hasn't. Bottom line. The stats are really similar, but Luck's interceptions strike me faster than Weeden's for the simple fact that Weeden has put the ball in the air nearly 100 times more this season. Two more picks in 100 pass attempts. That's pretty good odds that Luck will throw at least 4 more in the next 100 he throws.

In this day and age, stats have taken a back seat to wins and losses for the Heisman winner. Oklahoma State is 10-0. Stanford is 9-1. That stat alone, in years past has led to the winner. If I had a vote today, I'd vote: 1) Weeden 2) Luck 3) L.James (Oregon)

Rejoice would be in the air for another Heisman winner to walk the campus of Oklahoma State, but I'd be willing to bet they'd trade all this in for a hand on the crystal ball in January. Only time will tell and only one real game left until "Orange Power" travels south to play for it all.

OSU started out the year as a sleeper to win the Big XII, or is it the Big X, or the…whatever. You get my point. Now, they are the favorite to play for all the marbles in “Nawlins” in the BCS National Championship game. Far fetched? Not really. Sure, there are the so-called “trap games” on the schedule, but so far, not a breath of worry from Cowboy fans across the Great State of Oklahoma. The biggest test I thought would be at Missouri. Let’s go back to my first point. Takeaways won that game. Fumbles, costly interceptions, and inexperience from the Tigers made sure the trip back to Stillwater was a comfortable one as OSU rolled. There are a couple of more games on the schedule that would worry me ever so slightly. A let down this week to a pretty good Kansas State team, who got exposed mightily last week by OSU’s rival, Oklahoma would be my first. The next is a trip to Lubbock, which is never a fun place to play, especially at night. I still think OSU has all the goods to win big in both games, and I expect them to win by 14+ in both of those games. Let’s face facts for a moment. This isn’t the mid-2000’s OSU Cowboys. This is a team that’s on a mission. This is a team that isn’t going to let down. This is a team that’s ready. This is a team that’s tired of hearing about Oklahoma and Texas’ dominance in the Big XII. OSU is fired up and ready to roll.

Senior Quarterback Brandon Weeden has been the biggest influence on this team. He’s rallied this team, and more specifically, the offense, when Dana Holgorsen left to go coach West-by God-Virginia. He believed in what Todd Monken brought in. This offense is explosive. To me, more explosive than last year because so many players have stepped up outside Weeden and incumbent Biletnikoff Award winner, Justin Blackmon. The focus is still heavily on Blackmon, but because of that, many more players see the ball, like Michael Harrison, Josh Cooper and Hubert Anyiam, who is done for the year unfortunately after suffering a broken foot at Missouri.

On defense, look no further than safety Markelle Martin, the catalyst of the Nation’s top takeaway team. Martin is a beast and could probably start anywhere in the country. He’s big, fast and smart. Rarely do you see him take a bad angle or a play off. Shaun Lewis is the best linebacker on the team. Lewis is a ferocious hitter, aggressive to the ball, and not afraid to take a chance when the ball is in the air. Up front, Jamie Blatnick is the leader of the beasts. He’s always in on the tackle. He runs 100 miles per hour to the ball and may very well be the most underrated DE in the country, let alone, the Big XII.

We’ll blog more on the Pokes, but for now, I expect the Bedlam game to have more emphasis than any in the past, especially for OSU. Everyone remember 2002? OU title hopes rest on the Bedlam game. Eerily similarities this year as OU tries to play spoiler! I’m getting a little ahead of myself, but I feel OSU has a clear shot past the Crimson and Cream.