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The Cowboys are desperate to get their first win but have many questions going into the final five games.

The trip to Waco this weekend could make or break Oklahoma State’s season.

In a showdown of three to four teams eager to get this season back on track, OSU will take on Baylor on Saturday. Even if OSU didn’t play well in its first three conference games, a bye week and a strong showing against BYU might be just what Mike Gundy’s team needs.

Important queries for OSU’s Big 12 game against Baylor:

Can OSU function efficiently once more?
With 269 yards gained on the ground against BYU, the Cowboys produced by far their finest rushing performance of the season. Rodney Fields Jr. showed potential, Ollie Gordon broke a few big runs, and the quarterback run game started to take shape.

OSU may have trouble regaining that success now that Alan Bowman is expected to start because there is no longer a rushing threat behind center. OSU might get lucky against a Baylor defense that isn’t very good against the run.

Will explosive plays be limited by OSU’s defense?
To get its first conference victory and move back over.500, OSU only needed to keep BYU out of the end zone. But with ten seconds remaining, the Cowboys let the Cougars score on a 35-yard throw after missing several tackles.

This season, OSU has been scorched by numerous big plays, including that one. Bryan Nardo’s defense must minimize big plays against a powerful Baylor offense since it routinely ranks among the poorest in the conference.

Is Alan Bowman able to start the remainder of the season?
Although Bowman’s skill level is mediocre at best, he can produce impressive stats since he is a natural gunslinger. Against BYU, the Cowboys obviously lost faith in his ability to lead the offense to victory after he was benched in two games and entered as a backup.

He just needs to miss one game to keep his redshirt, as there are just five games left and Maealiuaki Smith hasn’t yet made an appearance. It wouldn’t make much sense to keep the seventh-year coach in charge if Bowman fails to win against one of the Big 12’s poorest defenses and OSU loses to 3-5.

Was the Cowboys’ morale crushed or rekindled by the BYU loss?
OSU’s level of enthusiasm in the first few minutes will reveal a lot about how the team felt about losing to BYU. In a difficult setting, the Cowboys held their own against an unbeaten playoff contender. That usually portends well for subsequent shows, especially when a bunch of seasoned musicians is involved.

But even though the Cowboys played their finest game in more than a month, it wasn’t enough. The final touchdown was so shattering that it might have a lasting impact.