Although everyone is aware that a single defeat can ruin a college football season, Oklahoma State views it as much more than a blemish on the record. The Cowboys haven’t defeated an FBS team since September 2023 after finishing the previous season with nine straight losses and that humiliating 69-3 loss to Oregon in Week 2, which was never close. The offense only managed 123 rushing yards and had trouble finishing drives in their only win this fall against FCS-level UT Martin.

Coming to Tulsa, which has its own problems after committing five turnovers in back-to-back defeats to Navy and New Mexico State. The Golden Hurricane is on a 10-game losing streak against ranked teams and hasn’t defeated a Power Conference team since the Liberty Bowl in 2012. Oklahoma State is desperate to use this game as a reset button after a bye week. For Mike Gundy, whose team lost 659-162 in Eugene, this is about more than just reaching 2-1; it’s about showing up before Big 12 play fully kicks in.

On the field, Oklahoma State vs. Tulsa could be a game of life or death, but in the booth, it’s in strong hands. Paul Carcaterra will be on the sidelines to keep things exciting while Anish Shroff and Andre Ware are sent to Stillwater by ESPN. One of ESPN’s most versatile commentators, Shroff has called everything from bowl games to ACC hoops to lacrosse national championships. He also serves as the Carolina Panthers’ current radio voice, so he has experience with major events.

Andre Ware, who will stand next to him, brings significant credibility whenever he discusses quarterbacks. He was the 1989 Heisman winner at Houston, where the Run & Shoot offense was dominating defenses and piling up nearly 4,700 yards and 46 touchdowns in a single season, so we need to keep in mind that he wasn’t just any other quarterback. Ware has been with ESPN for more than 20 years, combining game-day calls and analysis on College Football Live while continuing to work on Texans radio in Houston.

Paul Carcaterra, who roams the sidelines, provides an up-close glimpse that isn’t possible from the booth. Carc, a former Syracuse lacrosse star who joined ESPN in 2010, has a reputation for collecting inspiring tales from coaches and players in real time. Although he has dedicated the majority of his career to making lacrosse more fun for fans, he is completely focused on football on fall Saturdays. Fans who tune in on Friday night should expect more than just the game; they’ll get a full show thanks to this trio.

Oklahoma State faces Tulsa in a desperate Turnpike Classic clash

The Turnpike Classic returns on Friday night, with plenty of baggage for both sides. Oklahoma State needs to show that Mike Gundy still has this program on the right track after losing 69-3 to Oregon two weeks ago and failing to defeat an FBS team in over a year. Tulsa hasn’t exactly been playing well either, losing back-to-back games to Navy and New Mexico State. This matchup feels much bigger than the records indicate when you factor in OSU’s 10-game winning streak in the series and the in-state bragging rights.

There are also some exciting plots building up. Dominic Richardson, a former Cowboy running back who has returned to Stillwater in the Golden Hurricane colors, has been Tulsa’s star player thus far, gaining almost 300 yards on the ground in three games. Both teams are also adding new quarterbacks: Tulsa is weighing its options with Kirk Francis sidelined and Baylor Hayes filling in, while OSU is turning to Zane Flores after Hauss Hejny went down. This implies that Friday may depend on which defense holds up first and who commits fewer slips under center.

Oklahoma State appears to have the advantage on paper. The Cowboys have Kalib Hicks ready to hammer the ball against a defense that has struggled in open-field tackling after Tulsa just gave up 367 rushing yards to Navy. In the UT Martin game, OSU’s front seven also displayed some life, and they will do their best to prevent Richardson from making this one personal. The Cowboys are expected to perform well in front of their home crowd following a bye week to regroup. Yet, this rivalry game might remain much closer than Cowboy supporters would prefer if Tulsa’s ground game picks up the pace and OSU’s offense falters once more.