Texas @ Oklahoma State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 26, 2015 ) Oklahoma State 30, Texas 27

No. 25 Texas will get a chance to show what it learned on its week off when it travels to Oklahoma State on Saturday. Coach Charlie Strong vowed to use the bye after a 50-43 loss to California to get the Texas defense back on track before facing a string of high-scoring Big 12 opponents.

"We've got to have our players prepared," Strong told the media Monday. "It's on the coaches. We've got to do a better job. It's on us. We should have a better product." The Longhorns have improved their run defense and have 11 sacks but have forced one turnover and gave up too many big plays to Cal. The Cowboys will look to build a strong ground game with freshman Justice Hill to complement its passing attack. The visiting team has won the past seven meetings, a streak Oklahoma State hopes to end so it can avoid its first 2-3 start under coach Mike Gundy.

TV: Noon ET, ABC. LINE: Oklahoma State -2.5

ABOUT TEXAS (2-1, 0-0 Big 12): Freshman Shane Buechele has completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 720 yards and seven TDs as the Longhorns average 44.7 points. The backfield of D'Onta Foreman (288 yards, three TDs in two games) and Chris Warren III (260 yards, three TDs) is averaging 5.6 yards per carry while backup quarterback Tyrone Swoopes has added three scores. Freshman defensive end Malcolm Roach (two sacks) could get more playing time as part of Strong's changes to the defensive personnel.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (2-2, 0-1): Mason Rudolph has thrown for 1,296 yards and six TDs, connecting with James Washington (league-leading 122 receiving yards per game) for three scores. Hill (211 rushing yards, TD) had 122 yards and two fumbles in a loss at Baylor last week while Rennie Childs (158 yards) has six rushing TDs. The Cowboys have forced a league-best nine turnovers - including two interceptions by cornerback Ramon Richards - but have lost eight, including six fumbles.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Texas starting OL Kent Perkins is suspended for the game after a DWI arrest last week and will also undergo counseling, perform community service and face internal discipline.

2. Oklahoma State S Jordan Sterns has 251 career tackles, the most among active Big 12 players and fourth among all Power-5 defensive backs.

3. Texas freshman DB Brandon Jones has blocked a punt in Texas' past two games while Oklahoma State punter Zach Sinor has had two punts blocked this year.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma State 24, Texas 20