Oklahoma State Cowboys Football vs. Tulsa Game Preview, Notes, Odds and Broadcast Info

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The Eric Morris era officially begins as Oklahoma State makes the short trip east to face Tulsa in the Gateway First Bank Turnpike Classic.

Game Information

Oklahoma State (0-0, 0-0 Big 12) vs. Tulsa (0-0, 0-0 American)

Start Time: 2:45 p.m. CT

Location: H.A. Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Broadcast Details

TV: ESPNU

Broadcast Crew: Mike Corey (play-by-play), Barrett Brooks (analyst)

Radio: Cowboy Radio Network — Dave Hunziker (play-by-play), John Holcomb (analyst), Deion Imade (sideline)

The Oklahoma State radio broadcast is also available through The Varsity Network app.

Betting Odds

Spread: Oklahoma State -13.5

Over/Under: 59.5

Moneyline: Oklahoma State -550, Tulsa +450

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook and subject to change.

What You Need To Know

TULSA, Okla. — The Eric Morris era at Oklahoma State officially begins Saturday with a short trip east and the first opportunity to see one of the most dramatic roster rebuilds in college football history take the field.

The Cowboys open their 127th season against in-state rival Tulsa at 2:45 p.m. CT at H.A. Chapman Stadium. It will be Oklahoma State's first season opener on the road since 2019 and its first season opener at Tulsa since 2000.

Oklahoma State enters 2026 looking almost nothing like the team that finished last season. Morris took over a program that went 1-11 in 2025 and has not won a Big 12 game since 2023. The response was essentially a complete reset.

The Cowboys added 91 newcomers, including 66 transfers, with new players making up 79% of the 115-man roster. Only 24 players return from last year's Oklahoma State team. The newcomers also brought more than 45,000 snaps of Division I experience with them to Stillwater.

Several of the most important newcomers already know exactly what Morris expects. There are 21 players on Oklahoma State's roster who previously played for Morris at North Texas, including quarterback Drew Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins and wide receiver Wyatt Young. Their familiarity with the system provides some continuity as the Cowboys attempt to bring an almost entirely new roster together.

Mestemaker is the centerpiece of that transition. He arrives in Stillwater after throwing for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns last season and enters Saturday riding a streak of 15 consecutive games with at least 200 passing yards, the longest active streak in the FBS. His combination of production and familiarity with Morris' offense gives Oklahoma State an experienced operator for the new system despite Mestemaker making his Power Four debut.

Hawkins gives him another proven weapon in the backfield, while Young joins Miles Coleman, Chris Barnes, Justin Bowick and others in a receiver room Morris plans to rotate heavily.

Saturday should also provide the first indication of how deep Oklahoma State's rebuilt roster actually is. Morris plans to bring approximately 76-77 players to Tulsa and has discussed using significant rotations at several positions. The Cowboys want to identify their best eight to 10 defensive linemen while potentially rotating six or seven receivers to remain fresh throughout the afternoon.

Oklahoma State also enters Saturday with a chance to avenge one of its losses from last season. Tulsa went into Boone Pickens Stadium and beat the Cowboys 19-12 in 2025, snapping Oklahoma State's 10-game winning streak in the series.

The Cowboys still hold a 45-28-5 advantage in the all-time series and have won four consecutive games played at Tulsa. Oklahoma State's most recent trip to H.A. Chapman Stadium resulted in a 45-10 victory in 2024.

Morris also brings his own history of success against the Golden Hurricane. He went 2-0 against Tulsa while coaching North Texas, earning victories in both 2023 and 2024.

Saturday represents something much bigger than another meeting between the two in-state programs. Oklahoma State enters the game on an 11-game losing streak, the longest in program history. At the same time, the Cowboys have won 11 consecutive season openers, the fourth-longest active streak in the FBS. One of those streaks will continue Saturday.

For months, Oklahoma State has talked about its new coach, new quarterback, new offense and almost entirely new roster.

Against Tulsa, the talking finally stops. The Eric Morris era begins for real.

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