SE Louisiana-Oklahoma State Preview Capsule
Southeastern Louisiana (4-7 last season) at No. 21 Oklahoma State (10-3), 3:30 p.m. (FSN)
Line: No line.
Series Record: First meeting.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Oklahoma State needs a dominant performance against FCS opponent Southeastern Louisiana. The Cowboys don't have the strongest nonconference slate, so they need to win big to maintain their position in the lower rungs of the Top 25.
KEY MATCHUP
Oklahoma State WR James Washington vs. Southeastern Louisiana secondary. Washington is one of the nation's top deep threats. He caught 53 passes for 1,087 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, with 20.5 yards per catch. Oklahoma State's other receivers are capable, so the Lions will need to be careful how they choose to defend Washington.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Southeastern Louisiana: QB D'Shaie Landor. He's entering his second year as a starter. Last year, he passed for 1,228 yards and seven touchdowns and ran for 189 yards and four scores. He threw for 283 yards against Lamar last season.
Oklahoma State: RB Barry J. Sanders. The son of former Oklahoma State Heisman winner Barry Sanders is a graduate transfer who is part of a muddled backfield picture. He is listed as the team's No. 1 kickoff returner.
FACTS & FIGURES
Oklahoma State starts the season at home for the first time since 2012. ... The Cowboys are ranked in the preseason for the fifth time in the past eight years. ... Southeastern Louisiana is 0-20 against FBS opponents since the start of the 2003 season. ... Oklahoma State has 18 returning starters. ... Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph has a 12-3 record as a starter. ... Matt Barrett is Southeastern Louisiana's new offensive coordinator. ... The Cowboys have won 20 consecutive home openers. ... The Lions have been outscored 162-17 in three previous games against Big 12 teams.
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AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org .