CU RUN OFFENSE VS. OSU RUN DEFENSE -- Once again this is a pivotal part of the game this week. The Buffs have to be able to run to keep the Cowboys honest on defense. Otherwise it could become another sack parade. The Buffs have been inconsistent all season on the ground because of the play of the inexperienced offensive line. But this is the 11th game of the season, and that really is just an excuse at this point. Rodney Stewart fumbled twice last week and has vowed to atone for it by not fumbling again. We`ll see if he can make good on that promise. Oklahoma State hasn`t allowed a team to rush for more than 100 yards since Texas A&M gained 109 on Oct. 10. The Cowboys rank 7th nationally against the run. Edge:
Zac Robinson
Oklahoma State QB Zac Robinson (Steve Pope)
OSU

CU PASS OFFENSE VS. OSU PASS DEFENSE -- Tyler Hansen is beginning to play with more confidence, particularly when he doesn`t have to play from behind early. He has three solid options in the passing game with Markques Simas emerging to complement Scotty McKnight and Riar Geer. Hansen needs to be a difference maker for CU to win this game, whether its making solid reads and hitting his receivers on time or scrambling and making something out of nothing. The Cowboys don`t really have a dominant pass rusher. They have 19 sacks this season and nine players have registered at least one. They do have 14 interceptions, including six in the past two games. They have allowed 13 touchdown passes. Edge: EVEN

OSU RUN OFFENSE VS. CU RUN DEFENSE -- This offensive line is one of the best in the nation and will compare favorably to any CU has faced this season. The Cowboys are averaging 200 rushing yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry. They have scored 21 rushing touchdowns. Tailback Keith Toston needs 42 yards to reach 1,000 on the ground this year. He ought to get that easily. The Cowboys are third nationally in time of possession. The Buffs generally give ground when an opponent sticks with the running game. They allowed more than 130 yards to Alexander Robinson at Iowa State last week. CU is at its best defensively when forcing opponents to convert a lot of third downs and methodically drive down the field, but OSU appears to be content with the long march. If this becomes another big-play bonanza, it will be ugly. Edge OSU

OSU PASS OFFENSE VS. CU PASS DEFENSE -- It will be interesting to see how OSU quarterback Zac Robinson responds from the big hit he took last week. He has completed 64 percent of his passes and is 78 yards shy of throwing for 2,000 this season. He has tossed 15 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. Robinson has a ton of weapons. Seven active members of the team have caught at least 10 passes. This offense is as balanced as they come averaging 200.7 rushing yards and 199.9 passing yards a game. The Cowboys take what you`re giving. The Cowboys rank third in the nation in sacks allowed and fifth in tackles for loss, meaning almost every play they run gains yardage. The CU defense has played well enough to win a lot of games this season. The Buffs must find a way to put pressure on the quarterback, stop a solid running game and force some turnovers today. Probably too tall a task. Edge OSU

SPECIAL TEAMS -- The name Colorado fans need to know tonight is Perrish Cox. The OSU defensive back returns kickoffs and punts and is very dangerous with the ball in his hands. Dan Bailey also is one of the best place-kickers in the conference, and Quinn Sharp is averaging 44.4 yards per punt. All of that tilts this matchup heavily in favor of the Cowboys even before considering the Buffs have given up a lot of big plays and made some crucial mistakes in the kicking game this season. Edge: OSU

COACHING -- One of these staffs is fighting for its life. The other is gunning for a BCS bowl berth. One has one of the most penalized teams in the country. The other has a relatively disciplined group led by a senior class vying to become the second most successful group in four years at the school. One coaching staff hasn`t won a road game in more than two calendar years. The other has been tough to beat wherever it takes its team. Yet, something tells me this one will be closer than the oddsmakers believe. Edge: OSU

Prediction -- Oklahoma State 34-31

-- Kyle Ringo