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Can Oklahoma State football run the Big 12? Best-case, worst-case scenario for Cowboys

STILLWATER — Hopes are sky-high at Oklahoma State as football season nears.

The 18th-ranked Cowboys won 10 games a year ago and brought back nearly every key playmaker off that team entering the season opener against FCS No. 1 South Dakota State at 1 p.m. Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium.

With a combination of talent and experience that is hard to match, the Pokes see big things in their future.

But no college football season goes fully as expected.

Here’s a look at the best-case scenarios and worst-case scenarios for the Cowboys in each game this season:

More: How Oklahoma State football offensive line blends talent, depth and unmatched experience

OSU running back Ollie Gordon II (0) celebrates after a 45-13 win against Cincinnati at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater on Oct. 28, 2023.

Aug. 31: vs. South Dakota State, 1 p.m. (ESPN+)

Best case: A cruise-control victory. While the Jackrabbits have won 29 straight games and have a quarterback who won the FCS version of the Heisman Trophy last year, the Cowboys have enough talent to control this game.

Worst case: The obvious answer is a loss, and the Pokes are only a 9.5-point favorite, so the sportsbooks aren’t anticipating a blowout. Short of losing this game, any long-term injuries would be next on the list of bad possibilities.

Sept. 7: vs. Arkansas, 11 a.m. (ABC)

Best case: While the Razorbacks will bring a bevy of SEC talent to Stillwater, they’re predicted to finish in the bottom quarter of the league, so OSU should be able to control this game. Renewing this regional rivalry brings some excitement, with four meetings in the next decade.

Worst case: A loss here would sting. Probably more than a Week 1 loss to SDSU. And Arkansas has the athletic ability to expose some potential holes in the OSU defense.

Sept. 14: at Tulsa, 11 a.m. (ESPN2)

Best case: The ideal…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/oklahoma-state-football-run-big-120206169.html

Author : The Oklahoman

Publish date : 2024-08-26 12:02:06

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

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