Preseason favorite Oklahoma State has chance to emerge from unexpected Big 12 shadow of Baylor

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy watches his team during the fourth quarter against Texas in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Oklahoma State won 38-13. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas) (The Associated Press)

Baylor head coach Art Briles yells from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (The Associated Press)

Oklahoma State has a chance to emerge from an unexpected shadow this week.

The Cowboys were the preseason pick by Big 12 coaches as the favorite to win the league. But after an early loss at West Virginia, they had to settle in the background of Baylor's undefeated run.

This week, those two teams are front and center in the league. They play Saturday in Stillwater, where Baylor hasn't won since 1939.

With six wins in a row, including a decisive victory at Texas on Saturday, 11th-ranked Oklahoma State (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) controls its fate in the Big 12 race. So does No. 3 Baylor (9-0, 6-0), which on pace to set major college records with its 686 yards and 61 points a game.