Oklahoma State football: Can Texas Tech hold off the Cowboys' daunting defensive front?

STILLWATER — Coming off a road win over a ranked opponent, No. 7 Oklahoma State returns home looking to keep its record unblemished.

The Cowboys host Texas Tech at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Here’s a look at some key players, looming questions and a wild prediction:

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3 players to watch in Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech

Left tackle Caleb Etienne: Texas Tech likes to get creative in its attack on the opposing quarterback, and Etienne — despite holding down a key position on the line — is the Cowboys’ least experienced blocker. He will see things from Tech defensive end Tyree Wilson and others that he’s never seen before.

Safety Jason Taylor II: The redshirt senior from Carl Albert High School is the Cowboys’ active interception leader, and Texas Tech has thrown nine picks already this season. Taylor’s knack for being around the ball in big moments showed up again last week with his late-game interception that sealed the win at Baylor.

Linebacker Xavier Benson: Once a Texas Tech starter, Benson spent three seasons as a Red Raider. He redshirted in 2018, started 10 games in 2019, then opted out of the 2020 season because of COVID-19 concerns before transferring to Tyler (Texas) Junior College. He led the Cowboys with 10 tackles last week, but his most important role on Saturday will come in pass coverage, where he has been working to find his footing.

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2 big questions in Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech

Can Texas Tech hold off the OSU defensive line? Texas Tech is tied for sixth nationally in most quarterback sacks allowed with 18 through five games. OSU ranks in the top 20 in sacks per game at 3.0. And coach Mike Gundy says he’s still been a little underwhelmed by his team’s quarterback pressure. After leading the nation with 55 sacks a year ago, and nearly all of the defensive linemen back, the Cowboys could be in line to step up the sack numbers and this week could kickstart it.

Can the Cowboys contain Texas Tech’s fourth-down attempts? The Red Raiders push the envelope on fourth downs, having attempted 18 through five games, tied for second-most in the country. And they’ve converted 10 of them (55.6%). OSU is giving up first downs on half of the fourth-down snaps it has faced. Baylor converted three of five last week, with one going for a 70-yard touchdown.

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1 wild prediction in Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech

Each team passes for more than 400 yards. Texas Tech enters ranked fourth nationally at 362.2 passing yards per game, while OSU is ranked 15th at 314.2. OSU’s pass defense has struggled at times, and Tech has been a middle-of-the-pack squad. With OSU’s speed-it-up style and Tech’s desire to air it out, both teams are in line for big passing yards.

Jacob Unruh, Staff writer

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State football: Can Texas Tech hold off the Cowboys' D-line?