Editor’s note: This is one of a series of college football previews by The Dallas Express.
OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS
2022 SEASON: 7-6 (4-5 in Big 12), lost to Wisconsin in Guaranteed Rate Bowl
Oklahoma State started the season 5-0 before a double-overtime loss to TCU turned the tables on its season. The Cowboys went on to win just two of their next seven games, including a 24-17 loss to Wisconsin in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, and finished the year with a 1-4 record on the road.
Quarterback Spencer Sanders and running back Dominic Richardson carried the offense for most of the season. Richardson led the team with 543 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, while Sanders was the team’s second-leading rusher and added 2,642 yards and 17 touchdowns with nine interceptions through the air. Brennan Presley led the team in receiving with 813 yards, as four receivers amassed more than 500 receiving yards on the year.
After losing defenders like Malcolm Rodriguez, Tre Sterling, Tanner McAllister, and Kolby Harvell-Peel, the defense had uncharacteristic struggles, allowing 435.7 yards and 28.92 points per game.Â
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WHAT’S NEW
The offense will have to lean on a veteran offensive line and receivers such as Sanders and Richardson, along with a few others, have transferred out of the program, leaving several unanswered questions. The quarterback room consists of former Michigan and Texas Tech quarterback Alan Bowman, Frisco Lone Star alum Garrett Rangel, Gunnar Gundy, redshirt senior Peyton Thomspon, and freshman Zane Flores, while sophomore Ollie Gordon II and Michigan State transfer Elijah Collins lead the ground game.
Collins and Bowman are among 13 transfers joining the team and expected to make an impact. Washington State transfer Da’Zhaun Stribling joins the receiving corps, while cornerback Kenneth Harris (Arkansas State), linebacker Justin Wright (Tulsa), and defensive end Anthony Goodlow (Tulsa) join the defense.
Oklahoma State also welcomes 20 freshmen and was picked to finish seventh in the Big 12 at the conference’s media days last month.
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2023 SCHEDULE
Sep 2 (Sat) 6 p.m. CT Central Arkansas
Sep 9 (Sat) 9:30 p.m. CT at Arizona State
Sep 16 (Sat) 6 p.m. CT vs South Alabama
Sep 23 (Sat) TBD at Iowa State
Oct 6 (Fri) 6:30 p.m. CT vs Kansas State
Oct 14 (Sat) TBD vs Kansas
Oct 21 (Sat) TBD at West Virginia
Oct 28 (Sat) TBD vs Cincinnati
Nov 4 (Sat) TBD vs Oklahoma
Nov 11 (Sat) TBD at UCF
Nov 18 (Sat) TBD at Houston
Nov 25 (Sat) TBD vs BYU
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PLAYER TO WATCH
WR Brennan Presley
Presley becomes the leader of the offense after the offseason departures. The senior has been one of the Cowboys’ most consistent playmakers throughout his career, steps into a more significant role, and will see plenty of targets from whoever wins the starting quarterback job.Â
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FRESHMAN TO WATCH
WR Camron Heard
While plenty of experience exists among the four projected starting wide receivers for OSU, the depth behind them remains inexperienced and untested. With so many receivers needed for the offensive scheme, the door could be opened for freshmen wideouts to compete, and Heard enters as the top-rated player in this class. As a former high school quarterback, he should be able to pick up the offense quickly, and his speed as one of the top track and field athletes in Texas could make the Cowboys eager to get him on the field.
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BREAKOUT CANDIDATE
RB Elijah Collins
Ollie Gordon II is listed as the projected starter by Ourlads.com after running for 308 yards as a freshman, but it would not be a surprise if Collins took over the starting job as the season progresses. The Michigan State transfer ran for nearly 1,000 yards in 2019 before being relegated to more of a rotational role with a sharp decrease in carries under the Spartans’ new coaching staff. Although Oklahoma State is known more for its passing game, the running opportunities for Collins to state his claim with his new team will be there.
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WHY CAN THEY CONTEND?
Oklahoma State consistently has one of the best defenses in the Big 12 and will be hard-focused on making up for last season’s debacle with plenty of upperclassmen returning. While quarterback play remains a crucial unanswered question, there are enough weapons on offense, especially at receiver, to keep the unit afloat. Plus, Oklahoma State dodges all the top Texas teams and plays just two opponents currently ranked in the Top 25 polls.
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OBSTACLES
Quarterback play is the biggest concern for the Cowboys. Bowman has the most experience but has also been incredibly inconsistent throughout his career. The rest of the group has little-to-no college experience, and growing pains may be something this team cannot afford if it wants to have at least a decent season. Oklahoma State also needs to avoid injuries because they do not appear to be a deep team and find its rhythm with its running back rotation. There is also no guarantee the defense will return to its usual form.
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2023 PREDICTION
Record: 7-5
Bowl: Armed Forces Bowl
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While Oklahoma State has several upperclassmen on the team, many have yet to play significant roles at the collegiate level. The defense struggled last season, and any struggles on offense could further amplify those problems this season. With so much uncertainty at quarterback, it is difficult to see the Cowboys having an above-average season.
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