Central Michigan @ Oklahoma State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2015 ) Oklahoma State 24, Central Michigan 13

Oklahoma State did not earn a signature win over a top opponent in Week 1, but it did what it was supposed to do and looked impressive along the way. The 17th-ranked Cowboys will continue to take steps up in competition when they host Central Michigan on Saturday.

Oklahoma State goes from an FCS opponent in Southeastern Louisiana to a Mid-American Conference foe in the Chippewas and will move into the Power 5 next with Pittsburgh before beginning Big 12 play. The Cowboys rolled over the Lions 61-7 despite removing most of the starters prior to the half but are still a work in progress, something the coaching staff isn't letting the players forget. "We've got a lot to work on with the basic fundamentals of the game," offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich told reporters. "We're not even close to where we need to be, and our guys know that. They look forward to the chance to get better this week and work on the basic fundamentals we've talked about with just our individual drill work." Oklahoma State's defense should get a much bigger test from Central Michigan, which breezed to a 49-3 win over Presbyterian in its opener.

TV: Noon ET, Fox Sports 1. LINE: Oklahoma State -21

ABOUT CENTRAL MICHIGAN (1-0): The Chippewas gave the Cowboys a scare in a 24-13 home loss in last year's season opener and will test the middle of the defense with their rushing attack. Jahray Hayes, who did not get a carry in last year's meeting, ran for three touchdowns against Presbyterian to highlight 255 yards on the ground for Central Michigan. "It’s about us, not about who we’re playing,” Chippewas coach John Bonamego told the school's website. “It’s about how we prepare, the physicality, the intensity, effort and discipline we bring to the game each week. It sounds cliche, but the opponent doesn’t really matter."

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (1-0): The Cowboys are featuring their rushing attack as well and four different players scored on the ground in the opener. "The players need a lot of credit for their work ethic and their intensity," Yurcich told reporters of the group of rushers. "They all ran very hard. They ran tough with the ball and secured the ball. So time is going to tell. We'll see at practice and take it one day at a time. Surely we'd like have a couple of guys emerge, but this is a good problem to have." Quarterback Mason Rudolph, who threw for 266 yards and a score in the win at Central Michigan last year, was solid with a pair of TD passes in the opener.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Oklahoma State has won 15 straight non-conference home games.

2. Chippewas QB Cooper Rush is the nation's active leader in career passing yards (9,591)

3. The Cowboys are 5-0 all-time against MAC opponents.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma State 41, Central Michigan 24