Tulsa World: Pokes' long journey finally bears fruit

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Pokes' long journey finally bears fruit

By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist
Published: 10/14/2008 2:03 AM
Last Modified: 10/14/2008 3:01 AM

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State has not been an overnight sensation.

Starting 16 games ago (the night of coach Mike Gundy's infamous rant), the newly minted eighth-ranked Cowboys have won 12 times. They should have won two other games and had a chance to win one more. In other words, OSU has either won or could have won 15 of its past 16.

During this period, the Cowboys have been decisively beaten only once — last year at Oklahoma.

There have been some tough lessons — the second-half collapses against Texas and Texas A&M. There have been disappointments — unable to get past Orange Bowl champ Kansas in a game that was there for the taking in the fourth quarter.

Yet, as Gundy loves to talk about, the road to being a consistent football winner is full of bumps and turns. And, it is a long trip.

During this period, OSU has won five of its past six games away from Stillwater. Good teams win on the road. Really good teams win on the road against legitimate top 10 teams.

"These last couple of days have been a very exciting time for our football team and everyone associated with Oklahoma State," said Gundy on Monday, just two days after the Cowboys won at then-No. 3 Missouri.

In these past 16 games, OSU made the transition to a new quarterback. Zac Robinson is a nearly a perfect fit into the offense Gundy wants to run. Kendall Hunter, who may be the nation's best running back, and OSU's underrated offensive line have teamed up to give O-State the best running attack among the spread offenses in the country.

"We like that balance," Gundy said. "We think it's a luxury."

OSU's special teams are among the best in the country. Plus, most importantly, OSU's defense is dramatically better.

None of those things had a quick fix. They took time. But the Cowboys are far from a finished product.

"Our team has handled themselves very well," Gundy said. "We understand that you are only as good as your next game."

The Cowboys have been without Brandon Pettigrew, a tight end most consider a first-round NFL pick. Plus, the defensive line needs to continue to improve. But there are so many things that are contributing to the renovation of OSU football.

OSU is close to finishing its fabulous facilities, which helps recruiting. They are getting more highly recruited players who fit into the system and school. There is a newfound alumni support and national perception that comes with success.

A lot of factors have contributed to OSU's first appearance in the nation's top 10 in 20 years, but nothing is more important than winning games.

"The only thing our players and staff should be concerned with is this Saturday," Gundy said.

OSU has been doing it in convincing fashion, none more important than going on the road and beating The road win over Missouri was no fluke. In fact, it could be argued OSU can play much better.

Now, OSU finds itself at No. 8 in the country, and things that seemed totally out of the question just two months ago now don't seem like such a longshot. The Cowboys have earned a reputation as a team no one should underestimate.

Winning at Missouri would seem to indicate the Cowboys are capable of plenty. Most believed winning seven games this season would be a good year.

Now, winning nine or more is certainly not out of the question.

Living with prosperity will be a challenge for the Cowboys. Gundy has to make sure his players understand that Baylor is more than capable of winning on Saturday.

"We believe in preparation and hard work," Gundy said. "It'll be the same this week."

If so, then the trip to Texas will loom large, and OSU should travel with the confidence that winning in Austin is not the impossible dream.

Just take a look around Boone Pickens Stadium. What folks used to call Rustoleum stadium is in the midst of a renovation that will make it the envy of college football programs everywhere.

There is a transformation under way on the team, too. By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist

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