The Oklahoma State Cowboys are on the ropes.

After a 63-23 defeat last week at Texas A&M, the Cowboys (3-3 overall) have fallen to a paltry 0-3 in conference play. They must win three of their remaining five games to close the year in order to make a bowl game, as they head into Saturday’s game at Iowa State.

“We have a good attitude on the team,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said concerning the Cowboys recent struggles. “Our leaders are stepping up.”

Oklahoma State struggled in all aspects of the game against the Aggies, turning the ball over seven times and giving up 694 yards of total offense to Texas A&M.

“The A&M game for us was very simple,” Gundy said. “We had too many turnovers.

“I was concerned about [A&M quarterback Reggie McNeal] getting in a rhythm and getting hot and that’s what they did.”

Cowboy starting quarterback Bobby Reid’s absence hurt the Cowboys, and his status for this week’s game with the Cyclones is doubtful.

Al Pena, who replaced Reid, threw four interceptions and lacked the rushing threat provided by Reid, just one of Oklahoma State’s many problems.

“We were affected some by the stadium and playing on the road early in the game,” Gundy said. “It really comes down to too many turnovers and too many big plays on the other side of the ball.”

The relatively young makeup of the Cowboys has also made things tough at times this year according to Gundy – especially on the road.

“We have anywhere between six and 11 freshmen or redshirt freshmen on the field and I think they were affected by it,” Gundy said.

The Cowboys’ opponent, Iowa State, suffered similar problems last week, falling in overtime to Missouri after turning the ball over three times, and blowing a 10-point fourth-quarter lead.

The Cyclones had two turnovers returned for touchdowns in the first eight minutes of the game, as well as a fumble inside the five that went for a Missouri touchback.

Gundy however, said he is not fooled by the Cyclones’ hard luck.

“They’re a very well coached football team that probably should’ve beat Missouri and Nebraska,” Gundy said.

Gundy said he was especially impressed by the Cyclones defense, which held Missouri quarterback and the Big 12 conference’s leading rusher, Brad Smith, to the worst game of his career.

Smith was 8-of-12 passing for 45 yards and an interception, and had only 39 yards rushing on 11 carries.

“They do a great job on defense,” he said. “I think that defensively their schemes and adjustments may be as good as anybody in this league.”