The Cowboys start a grueling four-game gauntlet today in Austin. Oklahoma State travel to Austin, then head out east to take on West Virginia. Mike Gundy will then host Bedlam to lead off November, followed by a dangerous mid-November trip to Ames.

After the loss to TCU, the Cowboys have little (a.k.a. none) room for error, and getting a win against the befuddling Longhorns is imperative.

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Let’s take a look at the standings before we get to this week’s picks.

Standings after Week 7:

T1 - Dustin: 8
T1 - Micah: 8
T1 - “Pete”: 8
4 - Joel: 6
5 - Cade: 4

Let’s get to the picks!

Cade

Oklahoma State

Offense: James Washington

Based on all of the things I’ve read and watched, the Texas defense has struggled to defend teams who like to throw the ball deep. They rank 105 in the country on defensive passing yards per attempt. That’s huge for Oklahoma State, who will try to exploit that.

Defense: Justin Phillips

The Texas offense is predicated on the quarterback run. They love to run the QB power, and for that reason, I could see Phillips having a monster game. I could see double-digit tackles and a forced fumble for Phillips.

Texas

Offense: Sam Ehlinger

This kid does it all for Texas. The offense, on nearly every play, runs through him. The offense goes as he goes. On top of that, Oklahoma State has struggled to defend mobile quarterbacks in the past, and I could see them struggling against Ehlinger.

Defense: Malik Jefferson

This kid is an animal. Recruited as a five-star recruit, he has unlimited talent. He’s the run stopper on defense for Texas and wants to get to the quarterback. I could see him tallying up a couple sacks against a depleted offensive line for Oklahoma State.

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Joel

Oklahoma State

Offense: James Washington

He's been nearly unstoppable down the field this year. I don't see that being any different on Saturday. It would not surprise to see another 50+ yard touchdown this week.

Defense: Calvin Bundage

I imagine Bundage is going to be a QB spy on Sam Ehlinger this week. Bundage plays like a man possessed and a heavy hitter. His speed at the linebacker position will be important in containing Ehlinger.

Texas

Offense: Sam Ehlinger

He is the offense for the Longhorns, he's the leading passer and rusher. This is a pretty easy pick, no one else on the Longhorns offense has had the impact Ehlinger has.

Defense: Malik Jefferson

Jefferson has been a freak for the Longhorns for the past three years. Over and over he's proved his worth as the 5-star recruit he was. He is going to cause problems.

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Micah

Oklahoma State

Offense: Mason Rudolph

I just don’t think the Texas defense will be able to stop him from throwing to whoever he wants. He’ll have a lot of passing yards. I also think he might try to use his legs in this game and try to create a dual threat like OU did.

Defense: Jordan Brailford

He’s had a spectacular season so far. And he has the most sacks on the team and I think they use him to get to Ehlinger.

Texas

Offense: Chris Warren

He’s has a great season for the Horns. He’s also huge and uses his height to his advantage. Oklahoma State is gonna have to make sure the player that is on him is his size and the Cowboys don’t have a mismatch. With Warren standing at 6’4” that’s not an easy task.

Defense- Malik Jefferson

He’s a freak athlete. He’s big yet fast. I think he makes some huge tackles on Saturday. He’s a huge playmaker for the Horns.

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Dustin

Oklahoma State

Offense: Mason Rudolph

UT has allowed a lot of big plays on defense this season. They do have a solid cover corner in Holton Hill and Deshon Elliot has made a lot of plays in the secondary this year, but they've shown some weaknesses and I think Mason and company can expose them through the air.

Defense: Calvin Bundage

Bundage's speed could very useful in the QB draw run game that the Longhorns will utilize with Ehlinger. The Poke defense will be counting on their speedy linebacking corps to get to the QB before he can get into the open field and I think Bundage is up to the task.

Texas

Offense: Sam Ehlinger

He took some shots last week against OU, so he may not be 100%, but Ehlinger has been the main guy for the longhorns the past two weeks. He's been their primary rushing option and has found some success in the short to intermediate passing game. With the trouble OSU has had with dual threat qbs in the past, I could see Ehlinger breaking some big runs against the Cowboys. Something like this...

Defense: Malik Jefferson

The dude is an absolute freak. If Texas wants to slow down this Cowboy offense, they are going to half to get pressure on Mason, and Jefferson is the key to that strategy.

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“Hoodie Pete”

Oklahoma State

Offense: James Washington

Your best players have to make plays against good teams. JW is our best player, and he's been balling out all season long. I don't see that changing tomorrow.

Defense: Ramon Richards

The emotional leader of our defense has made the transition to safety quite smoothly in my opinion. I'm foreseeing a big time interception in the fourth quarter by Ramon.

Texas

Offense: Collin Johnson

Johnson has good size, and more importantly, chemistry with Sam Ehlinger. The young OK Sate corners are going to have their hands full with Texas' biggest, baddest receiver.

Defense: DeShon Elliot

Everyone is going to choose Malik Jefferson, aren't they? (**whispers** "overhyped".) DeShon Elliott is the reason this Texas defense is so dangerous. He has 5 interceptions already in the midway point of this season. Mason Rudolph would be wise to keep track of where #4 is in the secondary.

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Who do you think is going to have a great game inside Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium? Let us know in the comments!