Oklahoma State’s schedule — perceived as relatively easy in the offseason — is easier to judge with three weeks of results. The outlook is not quite as rosy.

Oklahoma State fans had reason to groan over the news of Arizona State’s 29-0 home loss to Fresno State last week. 

The Cowboys’ 27-15 win over the now 1-2 Sun Devils no longer looks so good.

OSU’s schedule projected as a relatively easy one. The Cowboys don’t play four teams voted in the top half of the Big 12 preseason poll — Texas, Texas Tech, TCU and Baylor.

Three weeks of games provide data to judge anew OSU’s schedule. Here’s a game-by-game review and preview.

OSU 27, Central Arkansas 13, Sept. 2 in Stillwater: That win moves the barometer the least. Central Arkansas has since dismantled NAIA opponent Texas College, 70-2, and lost to North Dakota State, 49-31. This won’t be a win for OSU to hang its hat on, nor should it be. Verdict: Still a run-of-the-mill victory.

OSU 27, Arizona State 15, Sept. 9 in Tempe, Arizona: Road wins against Power Five teams are usually impressive. Not so when the opponent gets shutout at home by Fresno. Verdict: Nothing to brag about.

South Alabama 33, OSU 7, Sept. 16 in Stillwater: Is South Alabama an embarrassing opponent for OSU to lose to, or an Sun Belt Conference foe on the verge of a breakthrough? Tulane, which received 13 votes in the AP poll, blew out the Jaguars 37-17 in the opener. South Alabama bounced back to beat Southeastern Louisiana 35-17. If South Alabama had beaten Tulane, perhaps OSU’s loss to South Alabama would be more explainable. But for now, it does not age well. Verdict: Bad loss.

Sept. 23 at Iowa State, 3 p.m. (FS1): OSU and Iowa State fans can commiserate. Both teams have gotten off to poor starts. The Cyclones were projected as a beatable foe. Their start and turmoil only reinforces that narrative. The Cyclones have lost to Iowa and Ohio, validating ISU’s tenth-place preseason projection in the Big 12. Verdict: Looks easier.

Oct. 6 versus Kansas State, 6:30 p.m. OSU’s 48-0 loss in Manhattan last year is hard to shake, and KSU had climbed to a No. 15 ranking — then fell out of the poll with a last-minute loss at MIssouri. Don’t look too much into that. The Wildcats are averaging 38 points and will present a big challenge to OSU. Verdict: Will be tough, but it looked harder two weeks ago.

Oct. 14 versus Kansas, 6:30 p.m. (FS1): The time to catch KU will probably be gone by the middle of October. The Jayhawks have started 3-0 and got quarterback Jalon Daniels, the Big 12 preseason player of the year, is back from injury. KU got 15 votes in the latest AP poll.  Verdict: Will still be tough

Oct. 21 at West Virginia (Time TBA): West Virginia was obliterated 38-15 by No. 7 Penn State in the opener but recovered to pummel Duquesne and win at home game against Pittsburgh 17-6. Not bad for being ranked last in the Big 12 preseason poll. It’s a more respectable 2-1 record than the Cowboys have. Verdict: Remains winnable.

Oct. 28 versus Cincinnati (Time TBA): It has not been a good leadup to the Big 12 for Cincinnati. The Bearcats are 1-2. Week 1 was a triumphant 66-13 win against Eastern Kentucky. The next two weeks were anything but. Cincinnati won 27-21 at Pittsburgh and lost 31-24 at home against Miami (Ohio). Verdict: Looks easier.

Nov. 4 versus Oklahoma  (Time TBA): Bedlam is usually difficult for OSU. The final Bedlam as Big 12 opponents is shaping up that way, too. The Sooners are 3-0 and twice have topped 65 points. Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been floated as an early Heisman Trophy candidate. Verdict: Looks harder.

Nov. 11 at Central Florida (Time TBA):  The 3-0 Knights are off and running in their Big 12 inaugural season, with two blowout wins and an 18-16 victory over Boise State on the blue turf. UCF is a potential future Big 12 powerhouse due to its 60,000+ student enrollment and location in fertile recruiting ground. The Knights might be pretty good now, too. Verdict: Looks harder.

Nov. 18 at Houston (Time TBA):The Cougars are struggling. After a 17-14 win against UTSA in the season opener, Houston lost in overtime to Rice and then 36-13 against TCU. At 1-2 with a conference loss, Houston is last in the Big 12 standings. Verdict: Easier.

Nov. 25 against BYU  (Time TBA):The other Cougars in the new-look Big 12 have started strong. BYU is 3-0 with home wins against Sam Houston and Southern Utah. BYU also notched its most impressive win at Arkansas, beating the Razorbacks 38-31. While a first run through Big 12 play will reveal much more about BYU, the Cougars look strong so far. Verdict: Will be tough.