Happy November Frog Fans! Welcome to the Funhouse of College Football.

Much like those classic attractions at the state fair with mirrored walls, moving floors, rolling barrels and sudden shocks that pull all types of emotions out of us, college football’s seductive stretch drive is here. Frustrating College Football Playoff poll chatter, discussions of who’s the real “power” in the Power 5 and a Thursday night game between Baylor and Kansas State that held my attention to the end distracted and moved me all while I was trying to study up on Oklahoma State.

Four games to go: two on the road, two at home. And a ticket to the playoff hanging on every snap. Exactly where you want to be. Sure, it can be frustrating to see the Frogs roll out at No. 8, but there’s a long way to go. Remember, too, that Ohio State got to the pinnacle from the 16 spot in the first playoff poll last year. Lots of things are going to happen as we round the clubhouse turn in 2015. Thankfully, most of the committee’s work will be done for them … on the field.

Speaking of field, let’s turn out attention to Lewis Field. That’s what they used to call the stadium at Oklahoma State (now Boone Pickens Stadium) before Mr. Pickens stepped in and triggered a renewal in OSU Athletics. Trivia Item No. 2: Did you know that OSU used to be called Oklahoma A&M?

Other questions await with answers coming tomorrow at 2:30 Central time. Can the Frogs quiet the raucous crowd that well lean over the wall into their bench area? Boone Pickens Stadium is a snake pit for visiting teams. A fast start for the Frogs is a must to keep Cowboy fans quiet. Trevone Boykin will need to make the most of this opportunity against what may be the best (and most healthy) defense the Frogs have faced yet.

What’s most mysterious about OSU is that, much like the Frogs, they’ve survived close games and have found ways to win. And they’ve made it a habit. Oklahoma State (8-0) boasts one of the best defensive lines in the nation, led by Houston native Emmanuel Ogbah. He’s a beast who is on pace for another double-digit year in the Sack Dept. He had 11 last year.  The Frogs need to know where he is at all times. Linebacker Jordan Burton is highly active, coming off a 13-tackle day last week at Texas Tech.

Offensively, Oklahoma State flies in the face of traditional college football knowledge. The old coaching adage is, “If you have two quarterbacks, you have none.” Au contraire, says Cowboys’ Maître d’ Mike Gundy. He has a passer in Mason Rudolph, and a versatile runner/spark plug in J.W. Walsh. It’s a system that’s working for Gundy & Co.

They don’t always stay in character, either. Last week, Walsh, the runner, had two touchdown passes in excess of 70 yards, so the Frogs can’t just load up to defend the run when Walsh enters the game. Walsh’s dad, John, is the head football coach at Denton Guyer High School, so he’s got the game in his blood.

Keys for this one are going to involve the trenches. How the Frogs’ offensive line handles OSU’s front will be critical. The Cowboys will dial up stunts to increase pressure on TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin.

On the other side, the Frogs’ defense will have to contain Walsh and his zone-read magic. He’s good and running back Chris Carson (originally a Georgia commit) can find daylight.

And don’t forget the deep ball. The Frogs have to be mindful of James Washington, who burned Texas Tech for long pass plays last week (75 and 73 yards). To sum it up, there’s a lot to defend, but I like the way the Frogs’ defensive line has looked the last two games: fresh and fast. I expect to see more tomorrow.

Speaking of fresh, remember that the Frogs have had 10 days to recharge and repair after the West Virginia win. That’s something that seems lost on folks this week.

It’ll be sunny and 62 in Stillwater, and the field at Boone Pickens Stadium is a fast track (artificial turf).

Looking for 9-0!

Kick ‘Em High!