What Houston Does Better Than Oklahoma State and Why It Matters

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Oklahoma State and Houston have an odd tradition dating back to their matchup in 1986. Neither team has won two games in a row.

Since that game in Stillwater in 1986 the Cougars and the Cowboys have alternated victories. Houston won that game in Stillwater, 28-12. The Cowboys followed that with a win in Houston in 1987.

Then the Cougars won in 2006 in Houston, followed by an Oklahoma State win in Stillwater in 2008. The two teams met again in 2009 in Stillwater and Houston won.

That was followed in 2023 by Oklahoma State's first visit to Houston in Big 12 action with the Cowboys claiming the victory. And, of course, there was Oklahoma State's loss to Houston last year in Stillwater.

If things hold the form, Oklahoma State will beat Houston this October. But the Cowboys are going to have to overcome something that Houston does better than them.

What Houston Does Better Than Oklahoma State

Given that both teams have talented offenses and have the potential to dominate in the passing game, it's safe to say that's a draw. Same for the running game with Caleb Hawkins at Oklahoma State and the incoming Makhi Hughes at Houston.

So, it could come down to who can defend the pass the best. In that area, Houston would have a clear advantage.

In terms of yards allowed in the air last year Houston was No. 10 in the Big 12 and Oklahoma State was No. 13. There wasn't much separating the pair. But Houston had 12 interceptions to Oklahoma State's six, and much of that production is coming back in the form of three returning starters. Plus, the Cougars managed to replace some of the lost production with an impressive transfer.

Will James was an All-Big 12 cornerback last year who returns with three interceptions and five pass breakups in what was a breakthrough season for the junior. Both safeties are back after last season as well. Kentrell Webb is more of a ball-hawkish type safety who can also tackle (71 tackles, one interception) while Jordan Allen had 48 tackles and broke up two passes.

New corner Jalen Mayo replaces much of the lost production on the back end. The Stephen F. Austin transfer helped the Lumberjacks win the Southland Conference and an FCS playoff game as he picked off four passes. He'll combine with James to build a formidable group of cornerbacks that can also count on another transfer, Javion White, in a 4-2-5 formation.

Game planning will be a bit easier for Oklahoma State since it plays the same 4-2-5 scheme. But, on paper, Houston's secondary looks much better than Oklahoma State's, which only has one returning starter in LaDanian Fields, who is a sophomore. Fields has two interceptions as a redshirt freshman. But transfers will make up for what else was lost last season.

Given the continuity on Houston's side, it's easy to see why their secondary is the thing they do better than Oklahoma State. Of course, the Cowboys have enough runway to nullify that advantage before they meet in October.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/oklahomastate as What Houston Does Better Than Oklahoma State and Why It Matters.

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