Dec. 30—A remarkable turnaround in 2023 and uncertainty surrounding its conference opponents in 2024 are indications that Oklahoma State may be the team to beat in the Big 12 next season.
The Cowboys have two of the most important pieces for sustained success: a veteran roster and one of the best college football coaches in Mike Gundy.
“We like our core leadership and the values that these guys are bringing to the younger guys, so we have good young guys that are going to be developed,” Gundy said. “We’re a stable organization.”
Gundy, who led the program to its second Big 12 Championship Game appearance in three years, rebuilt an unsteady locker room with a consistent message and demeanor.
Team leaders said that was a big part in why they were able to overcome a horrifying home loss to South Alabama in September, win the last Bedlam game and reach 10 wins yet again.
“I have made adjustments as a head coach in trying to stay ahead of the volatility in college football, and the one thing we can do as coaches is take care of our players,” Gundy said. “They play the games.”
Gundy and the veterans are why things can, and should, be different than the last time OSU was in this position.
The 2021 Cowboys had one of the nation’s best defenses and an offense that was built around Spencer Sanders, Jaylen Warren and Tay Martin. Warren, Martin and several key defenders turned pro in 2022, and Sanders and the offensive line were battered with injuries, which caused the team to lose five of its last six games.
The current Cowboys don’t have the defensive talent like 2021, but they do have similar offensive weapons, notably running back Ollie Gordon (1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns) and receivers Brennan Presley (101 catches, 991 yards and six touchdowns), Rashod Owens (63 catches, 895 yards and five touchdowns) and De’Zhaun Stribling…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-osu-positioned-win-big-045900977.html
Author : Stillwater NewsPress, Okla.
Publish date : 2023-12-31 04:59:00
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