Grades: Oklahoma State is projected to fail in 2024

Oklahoma State is bad at football. I've run out of different ways to say this.

The Cowboys lost 42-21 to Arizona State on Saturday, capping what cannot be described as America's greatest homecoming this year. There was a long weather delay to prolong the ordeal, but ultimately the Cowboys achieved the result expected in 2024.

OSU has lost six straight games, its longest losing streak ever under Mike Gundy. The Cowboys are also still looking for their first Big 12 win. And at 3-6, Gundy's valuable bowl streak of 18 years appears to be coming to an end unless the Pokes win every game until the end.

Here are my grades from another OSU loss.

Offense: D

Part of me felt like a D was too low for the offense and just came from the frustration of watching six weeks of lackluster football, but 21 points isn't good enough, especially in the second half during The poor season only scored seven points in the final possession.

The game started with a punt and an interception for OSU. Alan Bowman threw an interception for the eighth straight game. Week 1 against FCS South Dakota State was the only time this season that Bowman didn't turn the ball over.

With OSU finally approaching the end zone just four yards away and reigning Doak Walker winner Ollie Gordon taking space, Kasey Dunn called for four straight pass plays and needed all four for Brennan Presley to barely get into the end zone after Pylon had pushed beyond the end zone for a one-yard TD. The Cowboys scored again on their next drive, but then went scoreless on their next six possessions until two freshmen in the backfield took OSU down the field and into the end zone. Before that drive, OSU had 55 total yards in the second half.

On the ground, OSU managed 84 rushing yards while averaging 3.4 yards per carry. Gordon had 25 rushing yards, averaging 2.3 yards on 11 carries. The Cowboys had 270 total yards against a defense that was giving up 328.7 per game entering Week 10.

So maybe a D is warranted.

Defense: F

This defense gave up more than 500 yards for the fifth straight game. ASU averaged 10.5 yards per pass and 4.6 yards per rush. Another running back had a historic day against the Cowboys as Cam Skattebo surpassed the 100 mark in both rushing and receiving yards. Overall, Skattebo had 274 yards and three touchdowns. For comparison, OSU's total offense had 270 yards in the game. Quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for a season-high 304 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers.

OSU's defense failed under Bryan Nardo. Again.

Special Teams: B

So special times actually showed some life. Kyler Pearson started the second half with a 38-yard return, but it was called back due to a holding penalty. But he did get his big return with a 48-yard punt return in the fourth quarter. That return was ultimately what catapulted OSU into the end zone after starting its final drive at ASU's 49-yard line.