The Oklahoma State Cowboys are trailing the West Virginia Mountaineers 17-13 at halftime after they failed to convert a long drive for a touchdown once again. To make matters worse, Alex Hale missed a field goal to end the half.
Fortunately for the Cowboys, they get the ball to start the second half. They've got a chance to recapture the lead after starting the game leading as much as 10-0.
Here are a few halftime notes before the Cowboys get the ball back to start the second half of play in Morgantown.
- Drives have to be finished. The Cowboys are failing to convert in the red zone, and that's going to have to change if they want a chance to win this one. I've written about it all week. The Cowboys are going to have to get creative in the red zone to start punishing West Virginia on long drives.
- Defense has to tighten up, and Collin Oliver has to be unleashed. Nick Martin has been everywhere to start this one, but the Mountaineers have ultimately scored 17 points in the first half. Oliver is going to have to get going in the pass-rush game and make some noise in the backfield. Allowing big plays or giving Garrett Greene too much time when looking for a pass isn't going to cut it.
- Ollie Gordon is feasting, but the Cowboys have to continue giving him space. If Alan Bowman and the rest of the passing game can get going, Gordon will have even more opportunity to make his mark on this game. He's got 86 rushing yards, 11 carries and a touchdown at the half.
- The Cowboys have to slow the Mountaineers' run game. Having Greene under center is beneficial for West Virginia as they're running a read option that the Cowboys have struggled with. They've got to shut it down and the defense has to take over, as it did a week ago against Kansas in the second half.
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