Morris Warns Colorado Is Better Than Its 2-4 Record
OSU’s head coach says the Buffaloes’ defensive front is as good as any the Cowboys have faced
OSU head coach Eric Morris plans to take in the house decorations, spend time with family, and experience Oklahoma State’s homecoming festivities this week.
But the celebration comes with a responsibility. As OSU prepares to host Colorado on Saturday, Morris wants his players focused on delivering the part of the weekend they can control.
What would send everyone home happy, he said, “is us winning the game.”
For the Cowboys (4-2, 2-1 Big 12), that means addressing familiar problems from their 35-32 loss at Houston on Oct. 17, including missed scoring opportunities, defensive breakdowns, and ball security. Here are the takeaways from Morris’ weekly news conference Tuesday.
Red-zone fixes remain a priority
Morris did not dismiss OSU’s struggles near the goal line. The Cowboys had spent extra practice time on them before facing Houston.
“It’s a problem,” Morris said.
He described the issues as a combination of execution and play-calling. On one quarterback run, OSU had the numbers and blocking assignments it wanted but lost at the point of attack. On other plays, Morris said, he needed to give his quarterback a quicker answer against pressure.
The Cowboys are considering changes. One is whether to do more work under center rather than keep relying on shotgun looks in short-yardage situations.
“I think everything’s on the table,” Morris said.
Morris remained confident in the offensive line and pointed to its second-half run blocking against Houston. But near the goal line, where space disappears quickly, that improvement has not consistently turned into finished drives.
Colorado’s record does not tell the whole story
Morris warned against judging Colorado (2-4, 0-3 Big 12) by its win total.
“They might be the best two-win team in the nation,” he said.
His assessment centered on the Buffaloes’ games against Texas Tech and Utah, along with a veteran defense capable of creating negative plays.
Morris said Colorado’s defensive front could be as good as any OSU has faced this season, particularly in its ability to get into the backfield. He also pointed to experienced linebackers and to cornerbacks who are comfortable playing press-man coverage.
Offensively, Colorado presents a different challenge: formations, movement, and personnel combinations that force defenders to stay disciplined.
Morris praised the creativity of Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion. For OSU, the challenge is recognizing those looks without letting the movement pull defenders away from their assignments.
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Pass defense needs to finish plays
Morris said improving OSU’s pass defense requires more than asking the defensive line to generate pressure.
Against Houston, the Cowboys came close to several sacks and had chances to end possessions but did not consistently finish those plays.
Coaches are evaluating technique, positioning, and whether using fewer players in the secondary would help, Morris said. Ultimately, though, defenders must win individual matchups.
“We got to have some people that can defend in one-on-one routes down the field,” he said.
That becomes especially important against a Colorado receiving group that Morris described as being as explosive as any OSU has faced this season.
Confidence in Mestemaker remains intact
Morris continues to trust OSU quarterback Drew Mestemaker’s composure and his ability to create outside the pocket. Ball security remains a daily emphasis.
Morris attributed Mestemaker’s interception at Houston to a receiver falling down, and he said the quarterback threw to the correct target. Still, Morris emphasized protecting the ball with two hands when defenders close in.
Asked to assess Mestemaker’s throwing on the run, Morris offered a simple grade.
“Probably A-plus.”
Those off-platform throws are not accidents, Morris said. OSU practices them throughout the week. That repetition gives Morris confidence to call plays that ask Mestemaker to deliver while on the move.
OSU hosts Colorado at 6 p.m. Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium. The game will be televised on FS1.
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