2013 Outlook - Oklahoma State

Last season it was the Oklahoma State Cowboys who were the talk of the nation, finishing the season 12-1 and smack dab in the middle of the national title discussion.  Mike Gundy has done a fantastic job with this program in his 7 season there, but now that they have tasted national prominence, how will they handle things this year?  Will they be back for another shot at the title, or will they fade back and again become a good but not great team?



Last season it was Brandon Weeden who led the Cowboys to their best ranking ever.  He put up excellent numbers, and showed a poise only a 28 year old could provide.  This year, the team returns to the beginning, and it seems they will tap FR Wes Lunt to be their starting signal caller.  Lunt is a big, strong pocket passer, cut from the same mold as Weeden.  But Lunt is an 18 year old freshman, who only months ago was attending his high school prom.  There is no way he will be able to come in and show the poise that Weeden exhibited last year.  The receiving corp is another unit that will be missing some key pieces from a year ago.  Gone is the two-time Biletnikoff winner, Justin Blackmon, and unfortunately there is no one in the pipe line with the skill set to replace him.  Although the Cowboys will feature two SRs in the primary wide out roles, neither comes close to the talent of Blackmon.  With the passing game having been reset, it will be the running game that OK State will need to rely on in 2013.  At RB, JR Joseph Randle will return as the primary ball carrier.  Randle is good both running and receiving the ball, and his experience will be a valued asset to this program.  Randle is a good back, and will be looked at with a second or third round grade when he comes out for the 2014 NFL draft.  In front of him, he will have a nice o-line, which features SR OG Lane Taylor and SR OT Michael Bowie, who both started last season, and gave up a combined 0 sacks over the season!  If the boys up front can create some space, Randle is the type of back that can take advantage, and this is how I expect to see the Cowboys put up the majority of their points.


Defensively, this Cowboys squad is a solid group.  The front four for 2013 are all upperclassmen and they bring an experience level with them.  There is not a real star in this group, but they play well as a unit, and I expect them to be an above average defensive front.  The Linebackers also have some experience from last season.  SR OLB Alex Elkins and JR OLB Shaun Lewis are both physical backers who cover a lot of ground, and are good at finishing.  I expect each to improve on their 2012 numbers this year.  This secondary is also quite good.  Their star is SR CB Brodrick Brown, who is another tiny Big 12 corner who plays way bigger than his size.  Last year Brown was 1st team All-Big 12 and 3rd team All-American.  This year he could easily replicate if not improve upon those honors.  


Oklahoma State is still a good overall football program, but unfortunately for Cowboy fans, this team will not replicate their fantastic season from a year ago.  They will absolutely win some games this year, but with the talent loss from a year ago, it would be almost impossible not to backslide some.