No. 9 Oklahoma State Cowboys

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It tells you just how great Oklahoma was last year that the Cowboys’ crazy offensive party took a backseat to the ridiculous Sooner scoring machine. That might not be the case this year, because so much skill talent returns in Stillwater, and Mike Gundy is ready to turn it all loose again.

OSU was the most balanced offense in the nation last year, rushing for 3,191 yards and passing for 3,149. Quarterback Zac Robinson sets it all in motion, and last year he decided to stop trying to run over linebackers and focus on his passing. It was a good move, because he threw for 3,064 yards and still rushed for eight TDs. He’ll be smart to leave the bulk of the ground work to Kendall Hunter (1,555 yards, 16 TDs) and concentrate on getting the ball to Dez Bryant (87 catches, 19 TDs), a big-play specialist.

The Cowboys will be fun to watch, all right, and they might even challenge for the Big 12 South title if they decide to play some defense. OSU gave up 176 points in its last four games last year, and that’s no way to win big games. Since 10 of last year’s top 12 tacklers return, it’s a good bet the Pokes will tighten it up. If not, they may just be able to outscore everybody, including their rivals over in Norman.

And even if they can’t, it will be lots of fun to see them try.

This and That

Go-To Guy Dez Bryant made 41.4 percent of Oklahoma State’s total receptions last season. No one else had half as many as Bryant’s 87 catches.

Draft Day Presence From 2006-08, Oklahoma State had only three players selected in the NFL Draft, and none before the fourth round. But the Cowboys are beginning to have a presence on the first day of the draft, beginning with tight end Brandon Pettigrew this year. The 2010 draft will be even bigger for the Cowboys, with a potential first-round pick in left tackle Russell Okung, and another in receiver Dez Bryant, should he decide to skip his senior season.

Grand Opening Regardless of the opponent, Oklahoma State’s 2009 season opener would be a big deal, because it will be the first game in the fully completed Boone Pickens Stadium. And regardless of the stadium’s condition, it would be a big deal that the Cowboys are hosting Southeastern Conference power Georgia. Just so happens that those events are one and the same as the Cowboys host the Bulldogs in the opener Sept. 5 in what will be one of the biggest home games in OSU history.

Oklahoma State Superlatives

WR Dez Bryant is named First-Team All-America as a wide receiver and First-Team All-Big 12 as both a WR and PR.

OL Russell Okung and KR Perrish Cox are also named First-Team All-America, and RB Kendall Hunter (pictured) is named Third-Team All-America. All three players are also named First-Team All-Big 12.

OL Brady Bond is named Second-Team All-Big 12.

QB Zac Robinson, LB Andre Sexton and K Dan Bailey join the All-Big 12 Third Team.

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