2013 Oklahoma State
College Football
Preview
Odds and Schedule
Even after an inconsistent 8-5 season, Oklahoma State is in the conversation to compete for the Big 12 title in 2013. With 15 returning starters and a friendly Schedule, there’s no reason to bet against the Cowboys. Sure, they have a new offensive and defensive coordinator in Mike Yurcich and Glenn Spencer respectively, but Mike Gundy is still at the head of the team.
The current odds on Oklahoma State to win the BCS title are 40 to 1 at both 5 Dimes Sportsbook and Sportsbook.ag. That places them about 15th overall of all BCS teams. So the odds suggest that the Cowboys could very well compete for the crown this year, not just within the Big 12, but nationally as well.
Returning is all of the pieces from a passing offense that threw for 330 yards per Game last year. Clint Chelf is the favorite to be the starter, but J.W. Walsh and Wes LUnt also got significant time under center last year and could both see action before the year is up. While each of them can throw just fine, the three totaled 16 interceptions last year which hurt as three of their losses came by a touchdown or less. Wide receiver Josh Stewart will also be there after getting 101 catches last year for 1,210 yards. Joseph Randle is gone from the backfield, but Jeremy Smith and Desmond Roland should be just fine taking his place. The offensive line will be losing three starters, but it’s not a major spot to worry about for the Cowboys.
The OK State defense wasn’t great last year, but neither were many defenses in this conference. They didn’t lose much from last year’s squad and have plenty of depth so an improvement should be made. Their defensive back position is probably their biggest worry as Brodrick Brown is gone. It’s not easy to find abled replacements just like that especially in the high-flying Big 12.
2013 Oklahoma State Football Schedule
Aug. 31 vs. Mississippi State (Houston)
Sept. 7 at UTSA
Sept. 14 vs. LAmar
Sept. 28 at West Virginia
Oct. 5 vs. Kansas State
Oct. 19 vs. TCU
Oct. 26 at Iowa State
Nov. 2 at Texas Tech
Nov. 9 vs. Kansas
Nov. 16 at Texas
Nov. 23 vs. Baylor
Dec. 7 vs. Oklahoma
Because of their offensive prowess and nice Schedule, the Cowboys could be in line for 10 wins once again after only getting eight in 2012. Their non-Conference Schedule lines up nicely with an opener against Mississippi State being their hardest task. Besides having to play at Texas, none of their other road opponents can be considered in the upper echelon of the conference.
Back-to-back home Games with Kansas State and TCU should be very telling in October of what to expect from this group. Both of those teams have some of the better defenses in the Big 12 and Oklahoma State probably won’t be getting in a shootout with either one. The final stretch of Games against Texas, Baylor and Oklahoma will decide their season. In fact, the Cowboys could be undefeated entering that stretch if all goes to plan. Of course, they could also very easily lose two of their last three Games.
Even then without an overly tough Schedule until late in the year, 10 wins is a very real possibility for this squad.