2013 Football Previews – Big 12 – Cowboys
Over the past couple of seasons, Oklahoma State has become more than just an offensive juggernaut that dumps points on the opposition. The Cowboys have a chance to be a very respectable defensive team in ’13, thanks to the athleticism of DT Calvin Barnett and LBs Shaun Lewis and Caleb Lavey.
Big 12 Conference 2013 College Football Previews: Oklahoma State Cowboys (Team Link)
Head Coach: Mike Gundy
2012 Record: 8-5
Ok. State Gambling Odds to win BCS Championship:
Ok. State Gambling Odds to win Big 12:
The secondary is well-represented by speedy CB Justin Gilbert and safety Shamiel Gary.
Gilbert also doubles as a legitimate threat returning kick-offs and punts. Keep an eye on junior college newcomer Sam Wren; the defensive end was a JUCO All-American last year and enrolled early for spring ball.
Of course, head coach Mike Gundy and his crew will have their usual batch of prolific point-scoring, due in large part to a fearsome trio under center. Undersized senior Clint Chelf is the starter, but OSU also has capable Wes Lunt and J.W. Walsh. They are so capable, in fact, that last season Ok. State became the first program in Big 12 history to have three QBs to throw for more than 1,000 yards – a remarkable feat in college football.
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This season, a lot of those humming passes will be snatched in by junior WR Josh Stewart, who is money in the bank. Fellow starting WR Tracy Moore also features nice size (6”2, 215 lbs) and ability to garner all-conference honors. Offensive guard Parker Graham highlights a solid, if unspectacular, offensive line. It is clear that, with eight seasons of experience now, Gundy has really built the Cowboys attack into a well-oiled machine.
Two-time all-Big 12 RB Joseph Randle departs, and the Cowboys’ offense will miss him even though new starter Jeremy Smith has scored 25 career majors in a backup role. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Losing Randle will affect the offensive balance. ’Boys boosters must also hope that you can’t have too much of a good thing at quarterback; it’s great having three talented players when injuries come knocking, but otherwise, there may not be enough snaps in games or practices to keep Chelf, Lunt and Walsh happy.
In a rather uninspiring calendar year for the Big 12 Conference (if you need an example, just look at Texas A&M’s stratospheric rise the very season after it leaves the conference) the door seems open for the Cowboys to strut right through.
The Cowboys won their first ever conference title two years ago, but injuries derailed a promising campaign last year, and Oklahoma State only finished 8-5.
The expectations are that these boys from Stillwater will bounce back from last year’s results.
Bitter cross-state rival Oklahoma is always a concern, and Texas is talented, but still seems to be missing something intangible.
If the “D” plays as well as advertised and the offense continues to rack up numbers like a slot machine, Oklahoma State should be considered the favorite to take the Big 12 crown in 2013.
2013 Cowboys Schedule
8/31/13 3:30 PM ET MISST
9/7/13 12:00 PM ET @TXSA
9/14/13 7:30 PM ET LAMAR
9/28/13 TBD @WVIRG
10/5/13 TBD KANST
10/19/13 TBD TCU
10/26/13 TBD @IOWST
11/2/13 TBD @TXTCH
11/9/13 TBD KANS
11/16/13 TBD @TEXAS
11/23/13 TBD BAY
12/7/13 TBD OKLA
