3-2-1 KICKOFF

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State plays host to Missouri State at 6 p.m. Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium, televised by ESPN+. Here's a look at three players to watch, two big questions and one wild prediction for the game:

3 players to watch

Receiver Brennan Presley: The buzz around Presley is deafening and his performance in the bowl game last season seems to justify it. What's in store for the sophomore as a full-time starter?

Defensive end Trace Ford: The junior from Edmond Santa Fe is coming off a torn ACL and OSU coaches were careful with him in the preseason. But he should be turned loose and looking to improve on last year's sack total of 4.5. OSU left tackle: The job battle has carried on throughout preseason camp and into game week. Both Taylor Miterko and Caleb Etienne are expected to play, and while it might not matter much this week, the performance of the left tackle will matter a lot going forward.

2 big questions

Who will lead OSU in rushing? The Cowboys have four talented running backs and plan to use all of them, especially if the score gets lopsided. LD Brown, Dezmon Jackson, Jaylen Warren and Dominic Richardson each will have their opportunities to tote the rock and any of them could lead the team in yardage.

Can the defense keep up last year’s third-down dominance? Last season, the Pokes were No. 1 nationally in third-down defense, which was perhaps the most important facet of their improvement as a whole. This year's defense needs to continue the trend, not just on Saturday but all season.

1 wild prediction

The OSU defense will have five takeaways. In 11 games last season, OSU had 16 total takeaways, a number that defensive coordinator Jim Knowles would like to see increase significantly. Turnovers have been stressed in the preseason. Now it's time to produce.