2008 Oklahoma State Cowboys Preview

Three consecutive quality recruiting classes and a $260 million renovation project on Boone Pickens Stadium are signs that better days are ahead at Oklahoma State. But the past two seasons have been filled with what-could-have-been finishes.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Cowboys

For the second consecutive year, the Cowboys open the season on the road against a BCS conference school. This opener against Washington State, though, is vastly different from last year’s opening challenge at Georgia, which ended up being one of the top teams in the country. Still, the Cowboys’ schedule isn’t friendly. Big conference games against Missouri, Texas and Texas Tech are all on the road. Regardless of location, the Cowboys must find a way to close out games. Last year they left wins on the board by failing to close out Texas, despite leading by 21 points in the fourth quarter, and Texas A&M, even though they held a 17–0 halftime lead. Defense is the answer there, and that’s where the Cowboys must improve this season. Their offense, led by quarterback Zac Robinson, should again be one of the country’s most explosive. Three consecutive quality recruiting classes have upgraded the overall talent and improved depth at Oklahoma State, but that has yet to translate to the win-loss record. The Cowboys are inching closer to competing with perennial Big 12 South powers Texas and Oklahoma, and while this could be a breakthrough season under coach Mike Gundy, who is still below .500 after three seasons, 2009 is a more likely date for the program to take a major leap forward.

The Cowboys needed bowl wins over Alabama (2006) and Indiana (2007) just to finish with winning records both years.

With more talent on the roster than at any point during the Mike Gundy era, is this the year Oklahoma State moves up the Big 12 pecking order?

Entering his fourth season at his alma mater, Gundy is still below .500 for his career. With such a young roster, the Cowboys seem to be well-positioned to take a big leap forward in 2009, but they could make a move in ’08 if some of the young players continue momentum built during the spring.

OSU’s spread offense once again should be among the nation’s top scoring units. The key, as always in Stillwater, will be the defense.

In defensive coordinator Tim Beckman’s first season, the Cowboys were ranked 101st nationally in total defense. Spring practices revealed that the defense should be improved. Whether it can make a quantum leap to the top 50 — Beckman’s goal — will be the key variable.

“We’re better but we haven’t done it in a game,” Beckman says. “I’m a perfectionist. We have to keep on progressing. I know for us to win a Big 12 championship we have to win it on defense.”

Oklahoma State has played in a bowl five of the past six years. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Cowboys get off to a 5–0 start. But how they play on the road, starting with the season opener against Washington State in Seattle, will determine what level bowl they play in this season.

Quarterbacks

Inserted as the starter three games into the season, Zac Robinson established the single-season school record for total offense. The ideal fit for the no-huddle, spread offense, Robinson rushed for 847 yards and nine touchdowns and had three 100-yard rushing games. He threw for 2,824 yards and 23 TDs. Robinson’s option skills put pressure on cornerbacks and linebackers to make quick decisions. If they bite early, the Cowboys can strike for a big pass play. If a defense lays back in coverage, the running game has success. Because Robinson averaged nearly 15 carries per game late in the season he is more susceptible to injury. Alex Cate and Brandon Weeden both have potential but neither has experience.

Running backs

The Cowboys lost Dantrell Savage, a first-team All-Big 12 back, but three veterans should fill the void. Sophomore Kendall “Spud” Hunter rushed for 696 yards as a true freshman and is a threat as a receiver out of the backfield. Hunter probably will share the starting job with Beau Johnson, a junior college transfer who rushed for 1,756 yards and led Butler (Kan.) Community College to the national title. Keith Toston, who had a productive freshman year in 2006 (631 yards) but fell down the depth chart last season, suffered a torn ACL late during the season. Toston is expected to be fully recovered to provide depth.

Receivers

Sophomore Dez Bryant emerged as a budding star late in the season. After hauling in 43 passes for 622 yards as a true freshman, Bryant is poised for a breakout season. Bryant can make the acrobatic catch or outleap a defender on one-on-one lob passes in the end zone. Sophomore Artrell Woods was penciled in to start last season before he suffered a summer weight-room accident that was so severe doctors initially were concerned whether he would walk again. After undergoing back surgery and spending a year rehabbing, Woods remarkably is ready to return. His blazing speed stretches defenses. Several young, talented wide receivers will compete for playing time. Damian Davis played a minor role last season but had a solid spring and should start. Josh Cooper, Hubert Anyiam, William Cole and Bo Bowling could all contribute. Senior Brandon Pettigrew (35 catches, 540 yards) is one of the top tight ends in the country and will play an even bigger role this season. Pettigrew is a solid blocker who creates over-the-middle match-up problems for linebackers and safeties.

Offensive linemen

For a change, the Cowboys are a legitimate two-deep in the trenches. Four starters return, five if you include David Washington, who suffered a broken leg three games into last season. Left tackle Russell Okung, a two-year starter, is the anchor. Two young linemen will compete for the left guard vacancy. Andrew Lewis, who moved to center following Washington’s injury, could move back to guard or stay at center. Senior Steve Denning returns at right guard. Junior Brady Bond returns at right tackle, but OSU also signed Andrew Mitchell, a standout junior college offensive tackle who is 23 years old after serving an LDS Church mission. With depth across the board, Gundy says he will consider using the second-team offensive line every fourth or fifth series.

Defensive linemen

The Cowboys return only one starter, but this unit showed vast improvement during the spring. Three junior college additions and some young players ready to emerge should help improve the pass rush. Stopping ground attacks up the middle and applying consistent pressure on quarterbacks were issues last year. Swanson Miller, a 6'4", 320-pound junior college defensive tackle, could help in both areas. Senior defensive tackle Jeray Chatham is a returning starter. Senior Tonga Tea has trimmed down following a disappointing junior season. OSU’s defensive ends lack experience but recorded five sacks in the spring game. Derek Burton and Ugo Chinasa will be first-time starters and were solid all spring. Richetti Jones, one of the top recruits in the country in 2007, redshirted following a high school hip injury. Jones has speed and quickness off the edge. Jamie Blatnick, another redshirt freshman, recorded three sacks in the spring game.

Linebackers

Patrick Lavine, the team’s second-leading tackler, is the only returning starter and probably will move to weak-side linebacker. Andre Sexton, a two-year starter at safety, has been moved to the hybrid linebacker position. Junior Orie Lemon was so productive in spring drills he’s the odds-on favorite to start at middle linebacker. Other candidates include Donald Booker, who recorded 161 tackles last season in junior college but didn’t arrive on campus until June. Redshirt freshman Deron Fontenot has some big-hit ability backing up Sexton. Sophomore Justin Gent enters his third year in the program and provides depth.

Defensive backs

With three returning starters, this is the most experienced unit on defense. Senior Jacob Lacey and junior Perrish Cox both return at cornerback. Lacey and Cox have produced mixed results throughout their careers, but Lacey developed into a quality cover corner late last season. Cox can provide the big play but must be more consistent. Ricky Price, who switched from wide receiver a year ago, started all 13 games at free safety. Senior strong safety Quinton Moore is ready for a larger role after starting in the bowl game. Safety Lucien Antoine created the biggest buzz during the spring. A hard-hitting junior college safety, Antoine ended spring on the second team but could push for a starting job. At worst, he will be the extra defensive back when the Cowboys sprinkle in a 3-3-5 scheme.

Specialists

Senior punter Matt Fodge’s average slipped a little last season, from 44.9 to 42.9, but he is still one of the top punters in the country. Placekicking duties probably will be handled by incoming freshman Quinn Sharp, but he must beat out walk-on Dan Bailey, who took over kicking duties late last season. The Cowboys at times have ranked in the top 10 nationally in special teams under coach Joe DeForest but didn’t match such lofty standards last year. With improved depth and some home run-hitting return candidates, DeForest is optimistic OSU once again can rank near the top of the Big 12.

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