GAME NOTES: Big 12 Conference foes will collide in Boulder this weekend, as the Colorado Buffaloes play host to the 11th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Oklahoma State opened the season with seven consecutive victories to climb into contention for a trip to the BCS title game. Unfortunately, the grueling Big 12 schedule dealt the Cowboys a pair of defeats in two of the last three weeks. First came a four-point setback to Texas in Austin on October 25th. Then, after a blowout victory over Iowa State, OSU was trounced last weekend by Texas Tech, 56-20. While a trip to the national title game is out of reach at this point, the Cowboys are still very much alive in the race for an at- large bid to a BCS bowl. After this weekend's clash, they will close out the regular season at home against bitter rival Oklahoma on November 29th.

As for Colorado, it owns a 5-5 overall record and needs one more victory to early bowl eligibility. Victories have been hard to come by for the Buffs since opening the season with three straight wins, but the team did manage to halt a two-game slide last weekend with a 28-24 triumph over Iowa State.

Colorado holds a 26-17-1 series lead over Oklahoma State, and the teams are set to square off for the first time since 2005.

Oklahoma State has been one of the most explosive and balanced offensive teams in the nation this season, as the squad is averaging 42.8 ppg and 497.6 total ypg. The Cowboys are racking up 264.8 rushing ypg on an average of 5.7 ypc, and they have 32 rushing touchdowns in 10 games. Kendall Hunter has racked up 1,332 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on an average of 6.7 yards per carry. Keith Toston has nine rushing scores, and quarterback Zac Robinson has reached the end zone five times on the ground. As a passer, Robinson has connected on 67.4 percent of his throws for 2,264 yards and 20 touchdowns against six interceptions. Dez Bryant is one of the truly elite receivers in the nation, and he has made 64 catches for 1,140 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The Oklahoma State offense was held in check by Texas Tech, as the unit finished with only 368 points en route to 20 points. Hunter rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, but Robinson was limited to 182 passing yards with no scores and an interception. As for Bryant, he finished with four catches for 86 yards. "We're going to try our best to look past this and get ready for next week," said Bryant after the disappointing loss. "Practice hard and leave this off to the side and get fired up about Colorado."

Opponents are posting 24.5 ppg and 384.6 total ypg against Oklahoma State, which has allowed 22 passing touchdowns this season, twice as many as the total of rushing scores that the squad has yielded. Obviously, it is important to remember that the Big 12 is loaded with big-time quarterbacks, so it isn't totally surprising to see the passing totals a bit inflated. Oklahoma State has only registered 11 sacks this season, an extremely low total, but the squad has posted 22 takeaways. Andre Sexton leads the Cowboys with 76 total tackles, but Sexton and his defensive mates looked completely helpless against the Texas Tech offense.

Oklahoma State yielded 38 first downs and 629 total yards, including 516 yards through the air and seven passing touchdowns. Texas Tech held the ball for nearly 35 minutes and was 7-of-9 on third down conversion attempts. "It was pretty obvious tonight that we got dominated in all three phases of the game and we lost the game as a group," said Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy. "I thought we were outcoached and outplayed."

Colorado featured both Cody Hawkins and Tyler Hansen at quarterback in the win over Iowa State last weekend. Hawkins completed 20-of-29 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns, while Hansen connected on only 4-of-12 passes for 48 yards with an interception. Hansen did contribute 48 rushing yards on nine carries. "You set your ego aside and you're ready; Cody [Hawkins] has had to tag out for Tyler [Hansen], Tyler has had to tag out for him," said coach Dan Hawkins. "It's not fun for either of them or for us, but they've handled it awesome." Cody Crawford finished with eight catches for 79 yards and a touchdown for CU, and Scotty McKnight hauled in six balls for 62 yards and two scores.

It remains to be seen how coach Hawkins handles the quarterback situation this weekend. Heading into the Iowa State game, Cody Hawkins had 11 touchdown passes against seven interceptions, and he had thrown for 1,246 yards. Hansen, who had little experience prior to the matchup against the Cyclones, appears to be much more dangerous as a runner than a passer at this point. Colorado ranks last in the Big 12 in scoring offense, averaging a mere 19.4 ppg.

Considering that Iowa State racked up 403 total yards and scored three rushing touchdowns last weekend, it is obvious that there is room for improvement defensively for Colorado. The Buffs struggled against both the run and the pass, and they failed to register a single takeaway in the clash.

Colorado ranks sixth in the Big 12 in scoring defense, surrendering 28.1 ppg. The team ranks near the bottom in rushing defense but leads the league in pass defense. Keep an eye on Jeff Smart, as the junior linebacker is an active tackler for the Buffs. Asked to give his impression of Oklahoma State, Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith said the following: "They probably have the best offense in the Big 12. We have to come out prepared and make plays against the run. We need to make them one dimensional. But they also have a pretty good passing game too, so we just have to be ready to play."

Colorado will play hard at home, but Oklahoma State is the better team in this matchup and will avoid a second straight defeat. Expect the Cowboys to pound the ball on the ground and wear down the Buffaloes.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Oklahoma State 43, Colorado 20