Oklahoma State Cowboys is 2-1 in the 2026 sample and averages 36.0 points with 528.0 yards per game. The offense produced 221.7 rushing yards and 306.3 passing yards per game while converting 35.0% on third down. That profile points to an offense that is most comfortable when it avoids obvious passing situations.
Pregame intelligence active
West VirginiaWVU2026 seasonBig 12 matchupVS
Oklahoma StateOS2026 seasonMilan Puskar Stadium · Morgantown, W.Va.FS1Gold Rush · Big 12 Home Opener
Kickoff2d 1h
Injury report3 concernsDepth chartReleased Sep 1Opponent reportVerified baseline01 · Updated Sep 22
Latest WVU Football News
View all newsTMSWV.COM · Sep 22WVU’s Identity Meets Oklahoma State’s Firepower in the Big 12 OpenerRead full analysis WVU Athletics · Sep 23Mountaineers Open Big 12 Play Against Oklahoma StateRead full analysis WVU Athletics · Sep 22Oklahoma State Game InformationRead full analysis WVU Athletics · Sep 21Hawkins Named Big 12 Offensive Player of the WeekRead full analysis
West Virginia enters Big 12 play at 3–0 with a clear identity: control the game through a 281.3-yard rushing attack, let Michael Hawkins Jr. create with his arm and legs, and finish drives. WVU’s 53.3% third-down rate, 11 scores in 12 red-zone trips and zero Hawkins interceptions have made the offense efficient as well as explosive.
Oklahoma State brings the matchup’s biggest threat, averaging 528 yards and 36 points per game behind quarterback Drew Mestemaker. The Cowboys can test WVU’s pass defense, but their 35% third-down rate and Mestemaker’s four interceptions give the Mountaineers opportunities to control possession and create the decisive mistake. TMSWV predicts West Virginia 34, Oklahoma State 30.
SCOUTOpponent scouting reportUpdates from the latest available team sample
2026 current-season sample · 3 games
Official team data Oklahoma State Cowboys
2-1 · Verified Oklahoma State Athletics 2026 snapshot · Checked Sep 24, 2026, 5:58 PM EDT
Points / game36
Rush yards / game221.7
Pass yards / game306.3
Oklahoma State Cowboys has allowed 18.3 points and 267.3 yards per game in the 2026 sample, including 100.0 rushing yards per game. WVU’s clearest opportunity is to stay efficient on early downs, sustain its run game and avoid giving Oklahoma State Cowboys short fields. Early-season samples are matchup indicators, not predictions; game-day availability and role changes can materially alter the picture.
The matchup in numbers
WVU vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
WVU averages 4.3 more points per game. Different opponents and small samples matter; these are indicators, not a prediction.
WVU · 3 gamesOklahoma State Cowboys · 3 games
2026 season · Each metric uses its own zero-based scale. Larger is more production.
Saved statistical baseline · Opponent source · WVU source
The latest sample leans through the air, producing 306.3 passing yards per game against 221.7 on the ground.
A 35.0% third-down rate is workable but can be stressed by creating third-and-long situations.
Three keys for WVU
- Scoring productionMatched statistical sample: WVU 40.3 vs. opponent 36.0.
- Rushing productionMatched statistical sample: WVU 281.3 vs. opponent 221.7.
- Third-down efficiencyMatched statistical sample: WVU 53.3 vs. opponent 35.0.
Three warning signs
- Oklahoma State passingMatched statistical sample: WVU 177.0 vs. opponent 306.3.
02Personnel & availabilityOpen injury report
Oklahoma State-week availability3 players listedOnly documented Oklahoma State-week concerns remain active; prior absences are retained as historical context.Roster100 current records Starting lineupWorking projectionOfficial game-week changes supersede the carried-forward depth chart.
03Players to watchSelected opponent: Oklahoma StateSearch all players
Command playerMichael Hawkins Jr.
Michael Hawkins Jr. gave WVU more than a good stat line against Virginia: he supplied the production that helped turn a difficult assignment into a 38–27 win. His 313 total yards and five touchdowns make him the natural place to start as the Mountaineers enter Big 12 play at 3–0. He gets our nod because his decisions affect both the passing game and the threat of a quarterback run. Against Oklahoma State, watch whether he can keep drives moving when the easy yards disappear—the next step is making that Virginia performance a standard WVU can count on.
TMSWV editorial pick
Offensive matchupDJ Epps
DJ Epps earns a place here because WVU has already seen his catches matter at different moments. His 112 receiving yards against UT Martin offered a glimpse of the passing game's possibilities; his fourth-quarter connection with Hawkins against Virginia helped secure a much tighter win. That makes him more than a name to follow on deep throws. Against Oklahoma State, watch whether he can become the answer on a possession WVU cannot afford to waste—a third-down catch or a timely opening downfield could carry more weight than his final yardage total.
TMSWV editorial pickDefensive responseAshton Woods
Ashton Woods makes this list for the variety of ways he has already affected a game. An interception, a sack and two tackles for loss against UT Martin showed how one defender can interrupt an offense in the backfield and in coverage. Oklahoma State presents a new test, and those earlier plays are a reason to watch him, not a promise of another big afternoon. Look for the less glamorous work first: finishing tackles and staying in position. If he can pair that discipline with another disruptive play, WVU could get a possession-changing contribution.
TMSWV editorial pick05Next gameAutomatically advances after each finalFull season view
VSOklahoma State
7:00 PM ET