Skinny - Oklahoma State was the best team in college football last season to come in fourth in their division. That place in the standing was not indicative of the quality team they had. Sure they lost to Oregon in the Holiday Bowl, but Oregon had a really solid offense led by Masoli. In a league that boasts Colt McCoy/Jordan Shipley and Sam Bradford/DeMarco Murray/Chris Brown, Oklahoma may have the best QB/RB/WR punch in Robinson/Hunter/Bryant. Hunter is returning from a 1st team All-American season and Bryant will probably be one this season after being first team Big 12 last season. The team returns 5 of 7 starters in the front 7 on defense, but their secondary will be rebuilding for the most part.
Strength - Offensive Firepower
Quarterback Zac Robinson would get a lot more credit in other leagues, but he's overshadowed by McCoy and Bradford in the Big 12 and at times Baylor QB Robert Griffen gets more credit than he does. All he did last year was throw for 3064 yards with a 25-10 TD-INT ratio. His primary target and 1st team All American Dez Bryant had 87/1480/19 last year, which means he accounted for half of Robinson's output. As good a player as Bryant is, Oklahoma State's running back Kendall Hunter is just as good. As a sophomore he ran for 1555 yds/16 TD and should be a legitimate Heisman candidate this season if the two new guards gel with the 3 returning starters on the offensive line. Last season, Oklahoma State was 9th in scoring offense, 6th in total yards, 8th in rushing, and 38th in passing. One of the nation's most productive offenses last year should only get better this season with 7 returning starters and all the stars back.
Weakness - Defensive Backs
Perrish Cox, a corner, is the only returning defensive back for the Cowboys in an area that is so important in the Big 12. In a pass happy league, a good secondary will give a team a legit chance in games that are mostly shootouts. Oklahoma State has three returning senior starters at linebacker and a veteran defensive line that needs to put pressure on the quarterbacks to take the pressure off the inexperienced secondary. The defensive backs for the Cowboys can't get much worse from last season when the team ranked 109th in pass defense allowing 267.7 yards per game. If the defensive backfield comes together, the Cowboys could take the Big 12 South title away from Oklahoma and Texas.
Key Game - 9/5/09 Georgia
When Georgia and Oklahoma State scheduled this game it probably seemed like a great schedule by Bulldog fans, being a game against a BCS opponent but also very winnable. Mike Gundy has turned this Oklahoma State program around and they could send a statement to the nation if they could start the season a big win over a perennial SEC powerhouse. Oklahoma State has a very legit shot at being a National Championship contender and this would be the way to start the campaign on top.
Key Player - DeMarcus Conner
DeMarcus Conner has to develop into a legitimate receiving threat to complement Dez Bryant. Oklahoma State lost two experienced receivers to off the field issues this off-season, so it will be up to Conner to step up in their place. The Cowboy offense could be lethal if some of the pressure was taken off Bryant. Conner only had 3 catches last season, but with the loss of those two receivers and tight end Pettigrew it's his time to shine.
Impact Freshman - Daytawion Lowe
Predicted Big 12 Finish - 3rd (South)
Top 5 Players
1. RB Kendall Hunter
2. WR Dez Bryant
3. QB Zac Robinson
4. LT Russell Okung
5. LB Orie Lemon
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