Oklahoma State Football: 5 Keys for Cowboys Against Texas A&M

Oklahoma State's game at Texas A&M is one of the biggest matchups in college football Week 4. Both teams are in the Top 10, and it will be tough for Oklahoma State to win on the road.

Texas A&M is a fast, talented, deep team that narrowly lost to the Cowboys on a last-second field goal in Stillwater last season by a score of 38-35.

In order to beat such a talented team, OSU will need to do certain things very well.

Here are the five most important things.

Limit Turnovers

As a team last year, the Cowboys had one of the best turnover differentials in the Big 12, with plus-12 for the year (meaning they forced 12 more turnovers than they committed). This season they are tied for third in the league, with a differential of plus-three, which is pretty good for having played three games.

However, six of the Cowboys' turnovers have been picks thrown by QB Brandon Weeden. Last year, Weeden threw just 13 interceptions in 13 games.

Weeden must limit his turnovers in this game and allow the Cowboy defense (that was first in the Big 12 in turnovers forced in 2010) to force some against a very efficient Texas A&M offense.

Winning/losing the turnover battle will be a big reason why the Cowboys win/lose this game.

Defensive Line of Scrimmage

Against Arizona on Sept. 8th, the Cowboys held the Wildcats to just 41 yards rushing on 21 carries. Fast forward 10 days and the Cowboys allow Tulsa to rush for 365 yards on 59 carries.

That's a big difference and a glaring defensive inconsistency.

Texas A&M has two stud running backs in Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael, who have combined for 349 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.

The Cowboys must consistently win the battle at the defensive line of scrimmage in order to have success against the Aggies.

Justin Blackmon

The Cowboys must get Justin Blackmon involved early and often.

The reigning Biletnifkoff winner has 27 catches for 329 yards and three scores this season.

He did have his record of consecutive 100-yard receiving games snapped vs. Tulsa, but you can bet he'll be raring to go down in College Station.

He's an absolute animal who can catch every ball and make every play. And they'll need him to.

Run the Ball

Despite the national perception of OSU as a pass-happy offense, they actually haven't gotten away from their running roots. Last year's starting running back, All-American Kendall Hunter, rushed for well over 1,500 yards.

Nothing appears to have changed this season, as the new starter Joseph Randle has rushed for 378 yards and seven touchdowns already.

However, it seems at times that the Cowboys become too enamored with their passing game and stop rushing the ball in favor of chucking the ball all over the field, which usually leads to mistakes or punts.

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken has a NFL background (WR coach for Jacksonville last season), so he realizes the importance of a balanced attack.

If the Cowboys stick to rushing the ball to temper their potent passing attack, it will be very difficult for Texas A&M to stop them.

Continue Road Success

The Cowboys have won 10 of their last 11 road games, including going undefeated on the road last season.

They've become a big time program that is not affected by opposing crowds or environments. In the last few seasons, they've won at Texas, Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State and Texas A&M, among other places.

They must continue to play clutch football on the road, especially against A&M, who has one of the best, most rattling home crowds in college football.

Will Texas A&M's 12th man have an effect on this matchup? Oklahoma State will try to keep it from doing so and must in order to win.