3-2-1 KICKOFF

No. 24 Oklahoma State hosts No. 17 Boise State at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, the first visit to Boone Pickens Stadium by a ranked nonconference team since 2009. Here’s what to look for:

3 Players to Watch

Justice Hill: Hill, OSU’s star running back, has 19 carries through two games. He’ll likely exceed that total in Saturday’s matchup alone.

A.J. Green: The Broncos are the first test for OSU’s defense. Green, a junior cornerback, and the rest of the Cowboys’ secondary will have to limit Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien.

Jordan Brailford: Rypien hasn’t faced much pressure so far this season. Brailford’s speed off the edge of OSU’s defensive line could do a lot to change that.

2 Big Questions

How does Taylor Cornelius handle the spotlight? Cornelius performed solidly in his first two starts, but the challenge ramps up against the Broncos. Can he minimize his mistakes and lead the Cowboys to a top25 victory?

Does OSU’s offensive line improve? Coach Mike Gundy entered the season believing OSU’s offensive line would be better in 2018 than it was in 2017, but the early dividends haven’t matched his hopes. Can the Cowboys’ front clean up its play and allow OSU’s run game to soar?

1 Wild Prediction

Taylor Cornelius breaks Brandon Weeden’s three start yardage record. Cornelius needs 248 passing yards to break Weeden’s OSU record for most in a player’s first three career starts. The number seems achievable, but Boise State’s defense has proven stiff. The Broncos have allowed at least 248 passing yards only five times in 16 games since the start of the 2017 season. One of those was in their season opener against Connecticut; they allowed 255.