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OSU's higher expectations

 
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
Published: 8/26/2008  2:04 AM
Last Modified: 8/26/2008  3:34 AM

 STILLWATER — There's a huge question about Oklahoma State and it doesn't revolve around any one position or coach.

Yes, one has to be eager to see if OSU's defense will be good enough to make the Cowboys lethal.

But the biggest question is about something that doesn't play out in the first game or first month.

Oklahoma State is generally considered to have its most talent since the Cowboys went to the Cotton Bowl.

It has a steady, proven quarterback and faster, better players on defense.

Those are things the Cowboys did not have a year ago when they opened at Georgia.

"Those reasons make me feel like we're a better team now," OSU coach Mike Gundy said Monday.

Three straight top 25 recruiting classes should give OSU its best overall talent since Gundy was elevated to head coach four years ago.

"We're more mature and deeper," Gundy said.

Better overall players, a team's depth, usually isn't evident until the season is evaluated as a whole.

With that success in attracting players comes bigger expectations.

People want to know when improved talent will start translating into victories.

Oklahoma State opens its season on Saturday against Washington State in Seattle.

It is the kind of game OSU should have a good chance to win.

"We're a little further as a group, as a team," Gundy said.

Getting off with a road victory would be a big lift toward what OSU fans expect to be Gundy's breakthrough year as coach.

Back-to-back 7-6 seasons has O-State folks believing more should be expected.

Plus, close calls make one believe the Cowboys have the ability to do much more than finish .500.

Sure, OSU won a couple of games that could have gone the wrong direction — Texas Tech and Kansas State.

On the other hand, the Cowboys could have and should have beaten Texas A&M and Texas.

The only teams that completely overwhelmed OSU last year were Georgia and Oklahoma.

So, being competitive with just about anyone in the country has been accomplished.

Washington State is certainly no team that will strike fear into national powers. However, playing on the road against a team from a BCS Conference is no small task.

"It'll be a definite road test for us," Gundy said.

One would think the Cowboys have an advantage.

OSU has a wealth of talent on offense. Even with the loss of a key receiver and running back, the Cowboys have an offensive threat, starting with multi-use quarterback Zac Robinson.

State's offense had the perfect combination a year ago — it ran and passed for exactly equal amounts (3,161 yards).

Offensive coordinator Larry Fedora has taken his system to Southern Miss, where he is the head coach. However, Gundy, who admitted on Monday he will do the play-calling on game day, said the goal is to not a change on offense.

"The consistency of building a program for the long haul is not changing things," Gundy said.

The Cowboys have the kind of offensive system Gundy wants for the program. So, the goal is to keep doing the same thing, which is a hybrid of the no-huddle, hurry-up offense.

"Every one of the coaches contributes something different," Gundy said. "No one has all of the answers."

There's little question the Cowboys have a championship-caliber offense. It did not have a winning-caliber defense the past three years.

That has put an awful lot of pressure on the offense. The defense where O-State needs a serious upgrade.

"I think we're better," Gundy said. "We have more experience and are more mature."

If the Cowboys can make a few stops, then they should be good enough on offense to win a lot of games.

Most OSU fans are expecting seven or more. Seven victories, against a challenging schedule, would be a move in the right direction. But, there is no reason to limit expectations.

There are a lot of winnable games on the OSU schedule. There are also some huge challenges, games that would take a minor miracle to come out on top.

Still, OSU should have good enough players to have a chance most weekends.



Gundy calling the plays for the Cowboys



Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy will be calling the plays this season. Former offensive coordinator Larry Fedora called the plays the last three seasons, but Fedora is the new head coach at Southern Miss.

Gundy called the plays last year in OSU’s Insight Bowl win over Indiana and says it’s a part of the job he enjoys.
By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist

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3 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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T Bone, (8/26/2008 12:05:34 PM)

John: Believe in what you said, but I have a suspicion that OSU is going to be a lot more competitive this year and even being more so in 09. They have a bunch of great athletics over at Stillwater and they could win nine games in 08 if they play as a team and avoid injuries. The assistant coaches are as good as any team, so its up to Gundy to do his stuff.
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FIRE GUNDY, TULSA (8/27/2008 10:50:36 AM)
T Bone I hope you're right. And you're last sentence is dead on correct. It's been on Gundy's shoulders from the start- hopefully he gets a clue.
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gus, (8/30/2008 12:57:16 PM)
There are a lot of schools in D I who have money and good coaches. A lot more than OSU. OSU replaces Baylor and ISU at bottom of conference.
 

 
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