2015
Oklahoma State
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
Oklahoma State finished at 7-6 last year and only 4-5 in Big 12 play. Yet, a big win in Norman to close out the season has many predicting this team to be one of the better ones in the Conference this season. Is the hype warranted, though?
The Cowboys seemingly have a quarterback of the future in sophomore Mason Rudolph, who took over late last season and won that Oklahoma Game as well as the Cactus Bowl against Washington. Rudolph will have a ton of pressure on his shoulders as he’s being touted as one of the best QBs in the Conference now. So far, so good, as the kid with only three collegiate starts looked great in the spring Game. The backfield will see a couple new faces, but it looks like Rennie Childs (78 carries last year) will lead the way with Todd Mays and Chris Carson also seeing time.
The Cowboys return all of their main targets in the receiving Game with James Washington ready to explode as a deep threat and Brandon Sheperd looking like Rudolph’s favorite option. Slot man David Glidden returns as well after leading the team in receptions in 2014. The offensive line was brutal last season, but is set to improve even without any seniors in the group. They have a couple experienced tackles to lead the charge.
OSU was not good on the defensive side last year and that brought about a five-Game losing streak. On the year, they allowed 31.2 points per Game.
For starters, their defensive ends are in line for a huge season with Emmanuel Ogbah and senior Jimmy Bean leading the charge. The front Four will be helped by a deep group of experienced linebackers led by senior middle backer Ryan Simmons. The Cowboys were gashed often in the passing Game last year, but the secondary is expected to be improved with another year of experience. There is some depth at corner which will help, and Jordan Sterns is a tackling MAChine at safety. The pieces are there for the defense, but they still have to put it together.
Oklahoma State’s first Conference Game will test the offense right out of the gates as they travel to Charlie Strong’s Texas squad. That’s followed up by Kansas State and a trip to Morgantown. If they can get away from those Games unscathed, this will be a fun Big 12 season down the stretch. The Cowboys get the favorable Schedule of hosting both TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma. If the defense can make that next step, they could end up surprising one of those big teams as long as Rudolph lives up to the hype. It helps to have road Games against the weaker Texas Tech and Iowa State, as well.
If the Cowboys don’t reach last season’s win total it will be a disappointment. With Rudolph at the helm, this team is back on the map and could be headed for nine wins, eight at the minimum in the regular season.
2015 Oklahoma State Football Schedule
Sept. 3 at Central Michigan
Sept. 12 vs. Central Arkansas
Sept. 19 vs. UTSA
Sept. 26 at Texas
Oct. 3 vs. Kansas State
Oct. 10 at West Virginia
Oct. 24 vs. Kansas
Oct. 31 at Texas Tech
Nov. 7 vs. TCU
Nov. 14 at Iowa State
Nov. 21 vs. Baylor
Nov. 28 vs. Oklahoma