Big 12 Football: Breaking down each title contender

Advantage: The defense

The best defense in the state of Oklahoma resides in Stillwater, as Jim Knowles has put together an impressive group.

The Cowboys have not given up 25 or more in a game all season and held Texas to one yard in the fourth quarter of their come from behind win in Austin.

Oklahoma State owns the best rushing defense in the conference at 94.3 yards per game and a Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year candidate in linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has accumulated 72 tackles and six for loss in seven games.

Even with the loss on Saturday, Oklahoma State is squarely in the race and has the tiebreaking win over Baylor.

https://twitter.com/DVandernat/status/1417225416490856452?s=20

Even with a couple of players out with injuries, others have stepped up in safeties Jason Taylor II, Kolby Harvell-Peel, and defensive end Brock Martin

Weakness: Inconsistent offense

Jaylen Warren has been fed plenty through the first seven games, averaging 23.7 carries per game and on pace for over 300 on the season.

Receivers Brennan Presley and Tay Martin have shown up in big situations, combining for 747 yards and seven touchdowns.

However, the Cowboys’ offense hasn’t generated points and finished the drives to duplicate the yards.

Oklahoma State has scored over 30 points twice this year, with the most coming against Texas at 32.

The offense is effective, but far from explosive, ranking ninth in the Big 12 in points per game at 25.7. Spencer Sanders has been pedestrian so far, with 1,184 yards to go with nine touchdowns and five interceptions.

In order to not have another hiccup leading up to championship weekend, Oklahoma State must find sustained offense, that can take the pressure off the defense.