GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: QB Will Grier is a Heisman Trophy hopeful for West Virginia, though Oklahoma State defenders are aware they could blunt those ambitions. The Cowboys intercepted Grier four times last year in a 50-39 victory. This is not the same Oklahoma State secondary, however, and the unit is smarting after allowing 349 yards passing to Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray. The Cowboys can generate pressure, however, both off blitzes and DE Jordan Brailford, the Big 12 sack leader with nine.
DRAFT SLANT
–QB Taylor Cornelius figured to be little more than a stop-gap this season, a fifth-year senior comfortable enough in the Oklahoma State system to be productive while the Cowboys redshirt prize freshman Spencer Sanders. The 501-yard passing performance by Cornelius in the Nov. 10 loss at Oklahoma should at least make NFL scouts curious. Cornelius ranks third in the Big 12 in passing yardage and pass efficiency, a sound achievement for a first-year starter who last played in high school.
ROSTER REPORT
–S Thabo Mwaniki announced on Twitter he would transfer from Oklahoma State. After beginning the season as a starter, Mwaniki has not played since an Oct. 13 loss at Kansas State. He broke in last season as a true freshman, then was in on 17 tackles in seven games this season.
–RB Justice Hill, whose Big 12 rushing title last season included a 228-yard performance against Oklahoma, was limited to 35 yards on five carries before leaving with a rib injury. The junior is expected to return against West Virginia. He needs 70 yards to reach the 1,000 mark this season.
–P Zach Sinor is also expected to return against West Virginia. He left the Oklahoma game woozy after attempting to make a sideline tackle.
–OT Shane Richards missed his second straight game, while OT Arlington Hambright missed his sixth straight game as the patchwork Oklahoma State line forged on while helping account for 640 total yards.
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