Oklahoma State vs Oregon football predictions: Will Cowboys bounce back against Ducks?

STILLWATER — The physical challenge of playing without left tackle is obvious. There is a mental challenge as well.

When Oklahoma State (0-1) in Boone Pickens Stadium (11 a.m., ESPN) the Cowboys will do it without Sexton, their starting left tackle who suffered a last week. OSU head coach Eric Morris called Sexton, 6-foot-6, 328 pounds, the team’s to this point.

Last Saturday in a , OSU quarterback was sacked twice and hurried 10 times.

"I would say it's difficult,” OSU center said. “I think we didn't handle that very well, quite honestly. It's definitely in the back of our minds, like, dang, Jacob's down. But I think what we need to do better going forward is realizing that, hey, he is down and adjusting from there and realizing that it can't hold us down. We still have to perform and protect Drew, let him make plays because he can. But ultimately, it's up to us to give him time to make those plays.”

The Cowboy offensive line’s task Saturday is to protect Mestemaker from returning Oregon edge rushers Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti and returning interior linemen A'Mauri Washington and Bear Alexander. The team.

Here’s a look at our predictions for the game:

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Joe Mussatto, columnist

Oregon 38, OSU 14

SITTING DUCK

OSU will put up a better fight than last year, but Oregon is the far superior football team. After not banking a win at Tulsa, OSU seems destined for an 0-2 start.

Jenni Carlson, columnist

Oregon 41, OSU 17

DUCK AND COVER

The Cowboys show signs of improvement after their loss to Tulsa, but the Ducks are too good for that to matter in the final score. OSU and Eric Morris have an uphill climb on their hands.

Jeff Patterson, sports editor

Oregon 41, OSU 28

QUACKTASTIC

Drew Mestemaker and the Cowboys put up a fight in their home opener, but coach Dan Lanning's Ducks are a national title contender for a reason.

Jacob Unruh, deputy sports editor

Oregon 40, OSU 24

QUACKED UP

The Cowboys will show more life, particularly on offense with Drew Mestemaker looking closer to the 2025 version that brought tons of hype. But the Pokes' defense has no answer for Dante Moore and the plethora of talent around him.

Ben Hutchens, OSU beat writer

Oregon 44, OSU 18

MOORE OF THE SAME

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has a big passing day as the Ducks comfortably defeat Cowboys for second straight year. Against strong Oregon defense and without tackle Jacob Sexton, OSU offense still looks like its coming together.

@ben_hutchens_. Sign up for digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

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