Oklahoma State Cowboys
Overall Rank: #32
#5 Big 12
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Oklahoma State expects to win these days. That is why their 8-5 finish in 2012 was so disappointing. However, injuries were a big part of the problem for the Cowboys. The 2013 campaign could look more like 2011 when OSU won the conference title. At least the start could be very good. If this group can beat Mississippi State on the opening Saturday of the season, they could be sitting at 9-0 with their final three games against Texas, Baylor and Oklahoma.
2012 Record: 8-5, 5-4
2012 Bowl: Heart of Dallas Bowl vs. Purdue (W 58-14)
Coach: Mike Gundy (67-35 at Oklahoma State, 67-35 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Yurcich
Defensive Coordinator: Glenn Spencer
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Jeremy Smith, RB, 371 yards
Passing: Clint Chelf, QB, 1,588 yards
Receiving: Josh Stewart, WR, 1,210 yards
Tackles: Daytawion Lowe, S, 75
Sacks: Tyler Johnson, DE, 4.0
Interceptions: Daytawion Lowe, S, 2; Shamiel Gary, S, 2; Lyndell Johnson, S, 2
Other Key Returnees: QB J.W Walsh, WR Blake Jackson, WR Charlie Moore, OL Brandon Webb, OL Parker Graham, OL Daniel Koenig, DT James Castleman, DT Calvin Barnett, LB Shaun Lewis, LB Caleb Lavey, CB Justin Gilbert
Key Losses: RB Joseph Randle, QB Les Lunt, WR Isaiah Anderson, LB Alex Elkins, DB Brodrick Brown, DE Nigel Nicholas, P/K Quinn Sharp
Strengths:
Yet again Oklahoma State boasted one of the best offenses in the country, ranking in the top ten nationally in passing offense, total offense and scoring offense. That will not change. Three Cowboy quarterbacks threw for over 1,000 yards in 2012. It turned out it really did not matter who was under center, but having a consistent quarterback under center would be beneficial. Clint Chelf threw for 1,588 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior. He is the likely starter although J.W. Walsh will be ready to step right in. With so many playmakers at wide receiver and three starters returning to the offensive line, either quarterback will do extremely well. Wide receiver Josh Stewart is back after catching 101 passes for 1,210 yards and seven touchdowns. Senior Blake Johnson is a big play threat and Charlie Moore and Tracy Moore are both experienced wideouts with plenty of big play potential.
Weaknesses:
The problem on offense is the running game. Joseph Randle rushed for 1,417 yards and 14 touchdowns during his last season in Stillwater. Jeremy Smith has been a good change of pace back throughout his career, yet now he must take over the starting role. There is not much depth behind him either. The Oklahoma State defense has plenty of talent, although they failed to create too many turnovers last season. New coordinator Glenn Spencer hopes to change that and get OSU back to their old ways of dominating the turnover battle. It starts up front where tackles James Castleman and Calvin Barnett are a formidable duo. The unit does need to replace both starting ends though and getting consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback was not exactly a strength to begin with. Tyler Johnson is an experienced senior, sophomore Jimmy Bean has potential and Sam Wren led all junior college players in sacks per game last year. Linebackers Shaun Lewis and Caleb Lavey are both capable of helping the line get pressure on the backfield. The secondary allowed 280 yards per game, ranking 110th in the country. The good news is three starters are back, including cornerback Justin Gilbert. Free safety Daytawion Lowe led the squad with 75 tackles and strong safety Shamiel Gary was close behind at 72. Those two did intercept two passes a piece, but they are the ones that need to be on the receiving end of turnovers if Oklahoma State wants to win another Big 12 title.
The Bottom Line:
This could be a very telling season for Coach Mike Gundy and the Oklahoma State program. They have been built up into a relatively consistent Big 12 contender. With a disappointing season behind them and a couple of new coordinators, it is time to prove that the program is bigger than any player or coach and that they can compete for a title just about every year. If they do not do so now, the Cowboys could take a step back from Oklahoma and Texas.
Projected Bowl: Holiday Bowl
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 215.31 (21st in nation, 2nd in conference)
Passing Offense: 331.69 (7, 4)
Total Offense: 547.00 (4, 2)
Scoring Offense: 45.69 (3, 1)
Rushing Defense: 141.69 (37, 3)
Pass Defense: 280.00 (110, 7)
Total Defense: 421.69 (80, 6)
Scoring Defense: 28.23 (64, 5)
Turnover Margin: 0.00 (58, 6)
Sacks: 1.92 (66, 4)
Sacks Allowed: 0.92 (9, 1)
Madness 2014 NFL Draft Rankings:
#68 Justin Gilbert
Madness 2013 Recruit Rankings:
#240 Marcell Ateman
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