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OSU expects different Texas Tech team this seasonNov 12, 2012 (Tulsa World - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- OKLAHOMA STATE reclaimed a national ranking this week, climbing to No. 24 in the USA Today coaches top 25. The Cowboys were oh-so-close to gaining a spot in the Associated Press top 25, finishing 14 votes shy of admission. OSU coach Mike Gundy isn't a big fan of regular-season polls. But he should be a fan of the AP poll this week because it may help his team take the next opponent more seriously. Texas Tech is 7-3 and leads the nation in passing. Why wouldn't the Cowboys take the Red Raiders ultra-seriously. This is why: 66-6. OSU rolled into Lubbock a year ago and it was Godzilla vs. Bambi. Texas Tech was dealt the most lopsided defeat in program history. The Cowboys led 35-0 before the Red Raiders crossed midfield. The halftime score was 49-0. This is not breaking news, but this year's Cowboys are not last year's Cowboys. Weeden2Blackmon Gone-2NFL. But returning players who participated in "Rout 66" can't forget what happened at Jones Stadium because they saw it -- and caused it. Does the OSU coaching staff have mental work to do this week in order to get the Cowboys in the proper frame of mind for a rematch "I just think the film will take care of itself," Gundy said, referencing Red Raider game tapes. "They are playing really good now on offense, and defensively they are considerably better." While participating in a Sunday night teleconference, Gundy rifled through his Texas Tech intel and talked about stats that caught his attention. The Red Raiders are converting almost 50 percent on third downs and better than 60 percent on fourth downs. Defensively, they give up only 324.6 yards per game. That leads the Big 12 and ranks 18th nationally. "They are considerably better," Gundy said. "And I think our guys will be able to watch the tape and see that and it should take care of itself." Then Gundy mentioned poll position. "They are ranked higher than we are," he said. "Obviously people think they are better than we are, so that should help." Actually, OSU is ranked one spot ahead of Texas Tech in the coaches poll. The Red Raiders are ranked 23rd in the AP poll and the Cowboys didn't make the cut. If either poll is taped onto lockers or mentioned in meeting rooms, you can surely guess which one it will be. ___ (c)2012 Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) Visit Tulsa World (Tulsa, Okla.) at www.tulsaworld.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |