Vitals: Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Baylor Bears

Gerald Goodridge News9.com/NewsOn6.com

Baylor Bears (4-2, 1-2) No. 3 Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-0, 4-0)
2:30 p.m. CST
Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Statistical Leaders:

Injury Report:

Baylor Bears: CB Tyler Stephenson (questionable, ankle); CB Tuswani Copeland (questionable, knee); DB Demetri Goodson (out, ankle); LS Marcus Santa Cruz (out, foot).

Oklahoma State: WR Justin Blackmon (day-to-day, concussion); WR Hubert Anyiam (out, foot); OL Jonathan Rush (out, knee); CB Devin Hedgepeth (out, Achilles); FS Johnny Thomas (out, academics).

Where to find it…

On TV: ABC-HD

On Radio: Cowboy Radio Network

What you need to know…

The Baylor Bears were the darlings of the rankings early on, knocking off then No. 14 TCU in a nationally televised game by two points. Even though two losses have derailed the Bears' chances at crashing the BCS party, they're still one of the most dangerous teams in the conference. Baylor ranks first in the conference in total offense –averaging 549.7 yards per game – and second in the Big 12 in scoring offense with 44.3 points per game. However, BU is suspect on defense, ranking seventh in the conference in total defense, sixth in rushing defense and fifth in pass defense.

Oklahoma State continues to rise in the rankings and with the Oklahoma loss controls its own fate in the BCS championship picture. The Cowboys offense continues to wow each game, as they rank second in the conference in total offense with 548.6 yards per game and sit easily atop the conference in scoring offense with 48.6 points per game. However, the Cowboys' defense is perhaps the most surprising aspect of the season. Despite giving up 431.9 yards per game, putting them eighth in the conference, OSU is head and shoulders above the conference in turnovers, with 24 total this season.

Who you need to watch…

It's safe to say that as quarterback Robert Griffin, III goes, so go the Baylor Bears. The junior quarterback has thrown just two interceptions this season, one in each of the Bears' losses this season. Statistically Griffin is one of the best in the quarterbacks in the nation, ranking first in the nation in passing efficiency, third in total offense, seventh in passing yards and first in points responsible for.

His favorite target this year has been inside receiver Kendall Wright, who is getting national recognition because of it. The senior from Pittsburg, Texas ranks fifth in the NCAA in both receiving yards per game with 126.17 and receptions per game with 9.17 and has scored nine touchdowns this year.

Running back Terrance Ganaway isn't a household name, but he plays his role in the Baylor offense well. The senior running back is averaging just 95.5 yards per game, but has scored seven rushing touchdowns and has only lost five yards on 104 carries this season.

In the win over Missouri, when going got tight late in the game the Cowboys turned to their running game, and specifically sophomore Joseph Randle. The Union High School graduate had 14 carries for 38 yards and three touchdowns, all three scores coming in the second half. He ranks fourth in the conference in rushing yards per game with 98.6 yards per game, which factors in a Kansas game in which he only carried the ball seven times.

Defensive end Jamie Blatnick has been a force to be reckoned with up front all season for the Cowboys. In seven games, the senior from Celina, Texas has 32 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss (no OSU player had more than four a season ago), six sacks, three passes deflected, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and even an interception.

In the back end of the defense, 5-foot-8-inch corner junior Broderick Brown has been big for the Cowboys all season. The diminutive dynamo has four interceptions and seven passes broken up this season, both team highs, with 22 total tackles and two for loss.