Last Saturday, OSU shut out Texas Tech 23-0 while OU struggled late but held on to a 28-21 win over Iowa State in Norman.

“Games are hard to win with the parity in college football and parity in this league,” said OSU coach Mike Gundy. “Teams that compete against each other, teams that beat teams that shouldn’t beat teams, close games, and it’s really hard to predict. So, for these guys to be able to find a way to get in that game is a big accomplishment. And they did it, you know, this is their team, not the coaches’ team. It’s their team, it’s a choice they make. We had several players that came back for the super senior season and that’s why they came back, and so you just hope that works out.”

This was the first time that Texas Tech has been shut out since 1997.

OSU quarterback Spencer Sanders ran for a touchdown and threw a touchdown pass while kicker Tanner Brown made three field goals.

Oklahoma State had 427 total yards of offense and never trailed after going 70 yards on its opening drive for a 24-yard field goal.

“I know percentages and how things work, I don’t know who’s left, I mean, OU, is Baylor still in it?” Gundy said. “So, both have active quarterbacks and obviously firepower on the perimeter and can score points. So, I mean I’ve told (his players) in there every Saturday, I don’t mind telling you all the same thing, they got to stay the course and practice well and give themselves a chance. I don’t see that as being a problem. They’ve been building, but if they don’t, you can get knocked off real quick.”

OSU’s defense has been outstanding.

“The reason is because we play a lot of guys on the front and we get a lot of pressure and we’ve been fortunate enough to put the quarterbacks under duress,” Gundy said. “Quarterbacks have a biological clock that runs, and if the offensive line starts the game and is protecting for him very well, they’re comfortable. If they start and they’re not protecting for him very well, they hurry their throws, they move their feet, they get in panic mode. That’s pretty much every quarterback there is at any level. Our guys have done a good job of putting them under duress and hurrying some of their throws.”