Friday:
No. 22 Oklahoma State (4-0) at Louisiana-Lafayette (2-2), 9:05 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Line: Oklahoma State by 24.
Series Record: Oklahoma State leads 5-0.
Last Meeting: 2003, Oklahoma State 56-3.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
After needing four straight home wins to crack the Top 25, heavily favored Oklahoma State must win its first road game at Louisiana-Lafayette or risk plummeting right back out of the national rankings. Louisiana-Lafayette, which has never been to a bowl game, could get half way to the minimum six victories needed with a nationally televised victory over a ranked team.
KEY MATCHUP
The Ragin’ Cajuns offense, led by QB Chris Masson, against Oklahoma State’s porous but sometimes clutch defense. The Cajuns had more than 300 yards through the air at North Texas a week earlier and are 8-1 when Masson does not throw an interception. The Cowboys’ defense gave up 38 points Troy earlier this season and 35 points last week to Texas A&M, but also made big plays to turn last week’s game against the Aggies in their favor, including a fumble return for a TD and an interception to set up the winning field goal.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Oklahoma State: WR Justin Blackmon leads the NCAA in scoring (60 points), receiving yards per game (139.5) and TD catches (9). S Markelle Martin had eight tackles, an interception, a pass breakup in end zone and a QB hurry last week against Texas A&M.
Louisiana-Lafayette: Masson threw for a career-high 310 yards, including two TDs, and was the Sun Belt offensive player of the week. S Lance Kelley scored the Cajuns’ first defensive touchdown of the season with a 40-yard fumble return at North Texas.
FACTS & FIGURES
Oklahoma State is the second ranked team Louisiana-Lafayette has played this season. The first was a 55-7 opening week loss to then-No. 25 Georgia, which has since fallen out of the rankings. … The Cowboys will be the second ranked team to visit Cajun Field. The first time was 1996, when the Cajuns, led by quarterback Jake Delhomme, defeated No. 25 Texas A&M 29-22. … Louisiana-Lafayette has beaten two Big 12 teams at Cajun Field, adding last year’s 17-15 win over Kansas State to the 1996 win over the Aggies. … Oklahoma State associate Joe DeForest played for Louisiana-Lafayette when it was called Southwestern Louisiana. He was on the 1986 Cajuns squad that lost to Oklahoma State 21-20, when the Cowboys scored the winning TD with 8 seconds left. … Oklahoma State is 22-2 against the Sun Belt, including one victory earlier this season over Troy, 41-38.
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