Texas Football: 5 reasons why the Longhorns can dominate OK State
Alan Bowman’s recent turnover issues could be problematic for the Pokes
Bowman had his ups and downs for Oklahoma State once he was named the starting quarterback in the Big 12 opener against the Iowa State Cyclones on the road in Week 4. He started the season in a three-man rotation at quarterback, which also featured sophomore Garret Rangel, and junior Gunnar Gundy.
But Bowman proved he was the best choice for the starting job at quarterback by the start of conference play for the Pokes, as he’s the one with the most experience at the position in college. Bowman got off to a nice start to Big 12 play, leading Oklahoma State to five straight victories after the bye week and the loss to Iowa State.
Bowman’s ability to methodically lead this Oklahoma State offense through the air while taking care of the football allowed for Gundy’s squad to play complimentary football with Gordon on the ground. Keeping that balance and avoiding turnovers on offense helped Oklahoma State get its three biggest wins of the season, against the Kansas schools and the Oklahoma Sooners in October and early November.
In the five wins for Oklahoma State after their bye week, Bowman averaged nearly 300 passing yards per game, seven total touchdowns, and just two turnovers.
Bowman’s success came to a screeching halt in Week 10, though, when Oklahoma State was blown out by the UCF Knights on the road in Orlando. The UCF loss was a complete disaster for Oklahoma State, with Bowman throwing three interceptions and no touchdowns in a convincing 45-3 loss to head coach Gus Malzahn’s squad.
This rough stretch continued for Bowman in the last two games of the regular season in comeback wins for Oklahoma State over the Houston Cougars on the road and BYU at home. He tossed three passing touchdowns and two interceptions against two bottom-half defenses in the Big 12 in Houston and BYU.
In total, Bowman has turned the ball over a half dozen times with just two passing touchdowns in the last three games before the Big 12 Championship.
Facing a Texas defense with at least one interception in the last six games, Bowman is approaching dangerous territory against a talented group of corners from Austin and a pretty solid pass rush. If Texas can get even one or two possessions back by turning Bowman over in this game, that might be all it needs to have a big lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Forcing Oklahoma State to play catch-up by passing the ball with Bowman is also a potential path to Texas getting a blowout win in the Big 12 title game this weekend.