2015-16 Football Previews – (Big 12) – Cowboys
Last season, Oklahoma State was mired in what was undeniably considered a rebuilding season. As such, long time head coach Mike Gundy (he of “I’m a man! I’m 40!” fame) decided to turn to true freshman Mason Rudolph at QB, and the gutsy youngster responded by dropping some points on cream-of-the-crop Baylor, upsetting rival Oklahoma and beating Washington in the Cowboys’ bowl game.
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Oklahoma State
Big 12 Conference 2015-16 College Football Preview – Oklahoma State Cowboys
Head Coach: Mike Gundy
2014 Record: 7-6
OSU BCS Odds:+6600
Ok. St. Odds to win the Big 12: +750
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Oklahoma State finished at 7-6 and with such a strong conclusion to the 2014 campaign, OSU is suddenly a dark-horse pick to contend in the Big 12 this year. Can Rudolph keep up the magic?
Gundy might not have wanted to burn Rudolph’s redshirt at first, but after then-junior J.W. Walsh was not getting the job done – despite having a big, physical and talented WR corps – Gundy decided to throw the freshman in the mix and was rewarded not only with bowl eligibility, but a Cactus Bowl victory against the Washington Huskies.
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If Ok. State is to build on this season, Gundy and his coaching staff will have to see more of what Rudolph flashed at the end of 2014. Let’s examine the strengths and weaknesses of the 2015 Cowboys.
Team Strengths:
That talented wideout group returns almost wholly intact. Seniors Brandon Sheperd and David Glidden, junior Jhajuan Seales and sophomore James Washington should all play a role in catching the pigskin. Keep an eye on redshirt frosh Keenen Brown, who wowed coaches in spring camp. Basically, sophomore Rudolph has plenty of options in the passing game.
The O-line should be boosted with the addition of junior OT Victor Salako, who goes 6″6, 330-lbs with good footwork and was made available after UAB dissolved its program.
The defense should be better than the offense, emphasized by a strong front seven. Veteran DEs Emmanuel Ogbah and Jimmy Bean are stars, and senior LB Ryan Simmons leads his unit. Senior CB Kevin Peterson is the star of the secondary and while that unit is young, they show promise.
Team Weaknesses:
The Cowboys must find some answers in the running game. For years, this was a strength for OSU, with backs like Kendall Hunter and Joe Randle now playing in the NFL (for the 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys, respectively). But the Cowboys have transitioned to an aerial-focused attack, and OSU’s 27.6 points per game in 2014 was the lowest since 2005, Gundy’s first as coach.
If junior Rennie Childs can’t get the job done, maybe junior college transfer Chris Carson can help out. Let’s also keep in mind that while Rudolph impressed the skeptics late last year, he’s only started three career games.
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The interior of the defensive line is relying on two underclassmen, although DT Vincent Taylor has emerged as a force in the spring. Oklahoma State will also break in a new punter in freshman Zach Sinor.
2015-16 Oklahoma State Cowboys Prediction: 9-4
The Pokes have a lethal last month of the season, playing TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma and travelling to Iowa State. Apart from that, though, most of the dates on the Cowboys’ schedule are winnable.
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If all the hope in Stillwater tied up in Rudolph is deserved, Oklahoma State should improve profoundly from last season. If OSU can also develop a functional running attack to pair with the receivers and a hungry defense, the Cowboys might just make a run at the Big 12 title.
2015 Cowboys Schedule (All times EST)
9/3/15 7:00 PM @CENT. MICH.
9/12/15 7:30 PM CENT. ARK.
9/19/15 3:30 PM UTSA
9/26/15 TBD @TEXAS
10/3/15 TBD KSU
10/10/15 TBD @WVU
10/24/15 TBD KANS
10/31/15 TBD @TEX. TECH
11/7/15 TBD TCU
11/14/15 TBD @IA. ST.
11/21/15 TBD BAYLOR
11/28/15 TBD OU
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