Oklahoma State Receiving Top 25 Votes After Stunning Oregon Upset

Oklahoma State isn't ranked just yet. But the Cowboys have officially entered the conversation.

Following Oklahoma State's stunning 39-31 victory over No. 6 Oregon at Boone Pickens Stadium, the Cowboys received votes in both the latest AP Top 25 and US LBM Coaches Poll.

OSU finished fourth among teams receiving votes in the AP Poll and received 16 votes in the Coaches Poll, the 11th-most among teams outside the Top 25. It's a remarkable change in perception after just one Saturday.

A week earlier, Oklahoma State was coming off a 24-10 loss at Tulsa in Eric Morris' debut, extending the Cowboys' overall losing streak to 11 games. Morris called the offensive performance the most embarrassing he'd ever been a part of.

Seven days later, OSU beat the No. 6 team in the country. And voters noticed.

Oklahoma State didn't need a fluky bounce or last-second miracle to pull off the upset. The Cowboys largely outplayed Oregon.

OSU piled up 554 total yards while holding the Ducks to 281, nearly doubling Oregon's offensive production. The Cowboys rushed for 237 yards and threw for another 317.

Drew Mestemaker accounted for three touchdowns, throwing for 317 yards and two scores before delivering one of the game's defining plays with his legs.

After Oregon took a 31-30 lead in the fourth quarter, Mestemaker escaped pressure and launched himself through two defenders for a 10-yard touchdown that put Oklahoma State back in front for good.

Caleb Hawkins added 110 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Wyatt Young caught five passes for 121 yards and a score.

Oklahoma State's defense did the rest, shutting Oregon out following its go-ahead touchdown and recovering a late fumble to help seal the victory.

The performance even prompted Oregon coach Dan Lanning to acknowledge afterward that the eight-point final margin didn't fully represent how thoroughly his team had been beaten.

“The score was closer than it really was, because it really wasn't close,” Lanning said. “We got our a— kicked.”

Perhaps the most significant part of Oklahoma State's appearance on Top 25 ballots is how quickly the Cowboys changed the national conversation.

OSU entered Saturday having lost 11 consecutive games overall. Now, voters in both major polls are considering the Cowboys among the nation's best teams.

The AP voters appear particularly intrigued. Oklahoma State finished fourth among teams outside the Top 25 receiving votes, putting the Cowboys within striking distance of their first ranking of the Morris era if they continue winning.

The Coaches Poll wasn't quite as bullish, but OSU still collected 16 votes, good for the 11th-most among unranked teams.

That's a significant leap for a program that entered the weekend simply trying to prove its season-opening performance wasn't indicative of what was ahead.

Oklahoma State's rise in consideration coincided with a major fall for Oregon. The Ducks dropped 15 spots in the AP Top 25, from No. 6 to No. 21, following their loss in Stillwater.

It was another indication of just how significant Saturday's result was nationally. For Oklahoma State, though, receiving votes doesn't suddenly erase everything that went wrong against Tulsa.

The Cowboys are still 1-1. Morris is still overseeing a roster filled with newcomers, and one spectacular performance doesn't guarantee OSU has solved every issue exposed in Week 1. But the conversation surrounding this team has changed dramatically.

One week ago, Oklahoma State was answering questions about an embarrassing season-opening loss. Now, the Cowboys are answering questions about whether they belong in the Top 25.

They're not there yet. But after taking down No. 6 Oregon, Oklahoma State is suddenly knocking on the door.