College football Week 3 schedule and predictions

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MOBILE, AL – SEPTEMBER 08: Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) drops back to pass during a football game between the South Alabama Jaguars and the Oklahoma State Cowboys, September 8, 2017, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, AL. (Photo by Scott Donaldson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

No. 9 Oklahoma State Cowboys at Pitt Panthers

Oklahoma State is flying under the radar in the Sooner State, but the Cowboys have an opportunity to pick up a good road win against the Pitt Panthers.

Oklahoma State at Pitt: Three Things to Watch

1. Mason Rudolph’s many offensive weapons

Oklahoma State has one of the most explosive offenses in the nation. The Cowboys averaged 572.5 yards of total offense and 8.12 yards per play through the first two weeks of the season, both of which rank No. 10 in the nation.

Quarterback Mason Rudolph has completed 72.6 percent of his passes for 638 yards and six touchdowns without an interception. Top weapon James Washington has caught eight passes for 243 yards – an eye-popping 30.4 yards per reception – and three touchdowns, while Marcell Ateman (nine receptions, 126 yards, 2 TD) and Tyron Johnson (five receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD) have each hauled in a pass of 44 yards or better.

Last but not least, the Cowboys have three running backs with at least 130 yards on the ground. Justice Hill and J.D. King share the team lead with 159 rushing yards and La’Darren Brown is close behind with 130. All three have scored a touchdowns and King and Brown have each broken loose for a run of 70-plus yards. Also, Rudolph has scored twice.

2. Pitt QB Max Browne

There are already rumblings of a quarterback controversy at Pitt. Max Browne was efficient but far from spectacular in the Panthers’ 28-21 overtime win over Youngstown State in the opener, but he struggled mightily last week against Penn State. Browne completed 19 of 32 pass attempts for just 138 yards and two interceptions (one on the first drive of the game to set up the first score for Penn State) and has yet to connect on a pass longer than 30 yards – a surprise given the playmaking ability of Quadree Henderson and Jester Weah.

The offensive line (which has allowed eight sacks) has certainly played a role in the Panthers’ inability to make big plays, but if Browne doesn’t improve, the Panthers may look to sophomore Ben Dinucci to give the offense a jolt.

3. Oklahoma State’s improving defense

We knew the Cowboys would put up big offensive numbers this season, the only question is whether or not a young Oklahoma State defense would be good enough to compete in the high-scoring Big 12. Through two weeks, the answer appears to be yes. Though facing far from elite competition, Oklahoma State held Tulsa and South Alabama to an average of 15.5 points, 303.5 total yards, 4.07 yards per play and has forced four turnovers.

Prediction:

Pitt played relatively well defensively against the Nittany Lions, but Pat Narduzzi’s group simply can’t hang with the explosive Okie State offense.

Oklahoma State 41, Pitt 24

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