Tomahawk Nation is setting up preview pages for each of Florida State's football opponents. This is the page for Oklahoma State. Florida State plays the Cowboys on August 30 in Dallas, and it is one of FSU's most important games of the year.
Oklahoma State is a fine football program. They recruit decently, scout very well, and develop their players. Mike Gundy is one of the best coaches in the country, and he almost took them to the National Title Game in 2011 (Alabama went, and won, despite not winning its conference).
But this team with this timing early in the year, does not seem likely to have a shot against FSU. As of this July 9, FSU is favored by 19 points over the Cowboys.
So why do we doubt the Cowboys in 2014?
OSU returns an experienced quarterback, its leading rusher, three 200-yard receivers, six offensive linemen with starting experience, most of a strong defensive line, and, perhaps as importantly, both coordinators. They still have T. Boone money. They were one of the best teams in the country after November 1 last year.
But even those who aren't predicting Oklahoma to run away with the conference are mentioning contenders like Baylor and Kansas State. The team with 41 wins in four years is a total sleeper.
Mind you, it makes some sense. The quarterback who was in charge during the late breakthrough (Clint Chelf) is gone. So are three of the top four receivers from a balanced corps. And three starting offensive linemen. And two stalwarts at linebacker. Oh, and the top five defensive backs, guys who had been longtime contributors.
Oklahoma State lost more lettermen than any D1 team in the nation.
But, Bill Connelly cautions us not to doubt the Cowboys quite so much, particularly once they hit their stride (which they probably will not on August 30).