GAME NOTES: The 16th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys continue their bid for a Big 12 South title, as they welcome the Missouri Tigers to Stillwater this weekend for a showdown at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Mike Gundy's squad was less than full strength last week, but that didn't seem to bother the explosive Cowboys, who outlasted a tough Texas A&M squad 36-31 in their conference-opener. The Cowboys have won four of their first five games this year, with the lone loss coming in early September to Houston.

The Tigers were in the top-25 as recently as last week, but a 27-12 loss to Nebraska knocked Gary Pinkel's team out of the rankings. It was the first loss of the season for Missouri, which opened the campaign with four straight wins.

Missouri holds a 28-21 advantage in the all-time series, but it has been the Cowboys who have won two of the last three matchups, including a 28-23 victory in Columbia last season.

The Tigers allowed a 12-point lead evaporate in the fourth quarter and ended up dropping a 15-point decision to the Cornhuskers. The offense struggled in a steady rain, managing just 225 total yards. The Missouri offense has been much better on the year, averaging just over 400 yards per game, with a nice balance between the run (132.6 ypg) and the pass (274.8 ypg).

Sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert has taken over for now departed All- American Chase Daniel, but not much has changed offensively. Gabbert is converting nearly 60 percent of his passes, for 1,295 yards, with 11 TDs and just two interceptions.

Gundy knows the challenge that Missouri represents, especially on the offensive side of things.

"They're a very good football team. This will be a great challenge for us in all phases. Missouri moves the ball offensively, their system hasn't changed much. Their quarterback is making plays; obviously he's much bigger size-wise than Chase Daniel was. They are using the same system. They've got two receivers and those guys are making plays for them. They spread the ball out."

Those two receivers are seniors Danario Alexander (35 receptions, for 447 yards, four TDs) and Jared Perry (29 receptions, for 449 yards, five TDs).

The ground game is effective at times, highlighted by the efforts of junior tailback Derrick Washington, who is averaging 76.2 yards per game. Gabbert has helped as well with three of the team's five rushing scores.

The Missouri defense shut out Nebraska for three quarters, but relinquished 27 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Like the offense, the numbers on the season are better, with the team allowing just 17.8 ppg, on 334.0 yards of total offense.

Where the Tigers have failed to produce is in big plays, with just 10 sacks and eight takeaways in the first five games. The heart-and-soul of the defense comes in the form of All-American candidate Sean Weatherspoon in the middle. The senior linebacker leads the team in tackles (43), with 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble. However, the team's second-leading tackler, Will Ebner (31 tackles, 4.0 TFLs) is currently out with a knee injury. The secondary is an active bunch, headlined by safeties Jasper Simmons (28 tackles) and Andrew Gachkar (24 tackles, two sacks, three fumble recoveries). Redshirt freshman Aldon Smith (24 tackles, team-high 5.0 TFLs, team-high 3.0 sacks) has made an immediate impact up front.

One of the most explosive offenses in the country played without two of the nation's brightest stars last week, as wideout Dez Bryant and tailback Kendall Hunter were not in the lineup. Hunter has played in just two games this season and that has opened the door for talented tailback Keith Totson to fill in. Totson has done just that, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Against the Aggies last week, Totson rumbled for 130 yards. Standout quarterback Zac Robinson still passed for 279 yards in the win, despite not having Bryant on the outside. The All-American wideout has been ruled ineligible and his return is in question, as OSU goes through the appeals process. Robinson, who has completed over 61 percent of his passes on the year, with eight TDs, will now need to spread the ball around without Bryant to rely on.

Gundy is confident in others stepping up if Bryant isn't on the field.

"We've got a number of guys that can step up and make some plays. They've made some catches at crucial times. They are a long way from arriving. They've got a long way ahead of them and a lot of work to do. We're very encouraged with their effort."

Despite the losses on the offensive side of the ball this year, the numbers are still impressive, with OSU averaging 38.4 ppg, on 245.4 yards of total offense.

UM's Pinkel knows the Cowboys are dangerous no matter the personnel on the field.

"First conference game they threw the ball a lot more than they ran the ball. They throw it well, and they run the ball well. They are one of the top running teams in the league, they like to run the ball. That's part of their spread offense, everybody's got their own versions now a days. But they do a very good job."

The OSU defense is a few steps behind the offense in terms of production. Both the rush defense (116.4 ypg) and pass defense (241.2 ypg) have been suspect at times, and a lot of that has to do with the team's inability to make big plays (11 sacks and 11 takeaways thus far).

Senior middle linebacker Donald Booker has made an impact all over the field and currently leads the team with 37 tackles, with 3.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He is aided in the middle of the field by fellow senior LB Patrick Lavine (26 tackles, two INTs). The secondary is paced by senior safety Lucien Antoine (34 tackles, three forced fumbles).

The Tigers have not played the caliber of opponent that Oklahoma State has to date and with this game taking place in Stillwater, the Cowboys should find a way to get the win.