Oklahoma State Cowboys: 5 Players to Watch Versus Arizona

Last week the Cowboys played fairly well in what was widely considered a tune-up game against the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana-Lafayette. OK State looked dominant on both sides of the ball last week, but now they'll face some real competition in a rematch against last year's Alamo Bowl opponent, the Arizona Wildcats.

With the Wildcats coming off an impressive 41-10 rout over Northern Iowa, a game in which Nick Foles threw for 412 and 5 touchdowns, the Cowboys have an opponent that might be able to match up with them on offense. When looking ahead to the game tonight there are five players I feel have to perform at their best to see another Cowboy victory.

5) Tracy Moore- WR

Sadly, I was unable to find a picture of the young Mr. Moore, but that's besides the point.

The point is this: Seven catches, 112 yards, one touchdown.

That's Tracy Moore's stat line from last weeks game. That's probably the best stat line a Oklahoma State receiver, not named Justin Blackmon, has gotten since Hubert Anyiam's huge game against Missouri in 2009. This is good news for a Cowboys team that could really use a legitimate deep threat opposite Blackmon.

Josh Cooper has been able to serve that purpose some from the slot position, but if Moore is able to build on last week's performance with a solid follow-up against superior competition, the Cowboys should be well on there way to establishing themselves as a top five offensive squad.

4) Joseph Randle- RB

Last year against the Wildcats Kendall Hunter was only able to gain 32 yards on 10 carries. In fact, the whole team had 72 total rushing yards. That's terrible and, while the team has gotten away from their insanely balanced offense in the early Gundy years, the team still needs to get some yards on the ground to be effective.

That's where Joseph Randle comes in. Last week against the Cajuns he went for 129 yards, almost double what the Cowboy team had against Arizona last year. He doesn't need to be that productive this week, but he needs to do better than Hunter's 32 yards.

Look for him to get somewhere around 75 and a touchdown tonight. 

3) Justin Blackmon- WR

In his first game as the defending Biletnikoff award winner, Blackmon snagged eight passes for 144 yards, but was unable to get in the end zone. I'm not saying he has to hit pay dirt for the Cowboys to win tonight, but he's going to have to continue to produce yards at a high level because the other receivers outside of Josh Cooper are unproven.

Plus, he's got that award to defend and I have a feeling he's going to need at least 12 touchdowns to bring that trophy back to Stillwater. Look for him to have another big game, but also add some points to the scoreboard this time.

2) Markelle Martin- DB

Last year against the Wildcats Markelle Martin absolutely destroyed Nick Foles and Co. He had four tackles and two pass deflections, but his coup de grace was a 62 yard interception return for a touchdown. His secondary also picked off Foles two more times that game and were a big reason the Cowboys won that game.

Simply said, he has to have a similar game tonight for the Cowboys to top the Wildcats deadly passing attack. If he, or someone else in the secondary, are able to disrupt Arizona's passing game the Cowboys should have another easy win in the books.

1) Brandon Weeden- QB

No ones performance was more up and down last week than Brandon Weeden's. Yes, he threw for 388 yards and three touchdowns, but he also tossed three interceptions; two of which were returned for touchdowns. 

He must cut down those turnovers if the Cowboys hope to win tonight. He can't rely on his defense to stop Foles the way they did last year and needs to expect to be in a shootout tonight. If he doesn't flirt with 400 yards passing and at least three touchdowns I don't expect the Cowboys to get the "W" tonight.

That said, I'm still picking OK State, simply because they seem to have the better defense in this rematch. Look for Arizona to put up quite a fight, but for Weeden and Blackmon's firepower to overpower them in the second half.