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Greater expectations: OSU could have highest preseason ranking in program history

Mike Gundy
 
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 7/2/2009  2:18 AM
Last Modified: 7/2/2009  3:24 AM


Related story: Q&A with OSU's head coach Mike Gundy.


STILLWATER — For the first time since ascending to the top position in the Oklahoma State football program, Mike Gundy enters a season with an overall record of above .500 — and with the pressure of a preseason national ranking.

If the Associated Press poll is consistent with the rankings of various magazines, the Cowboys may have a Top 10 ranking when they host Georgia for the Sept. 5 opener at Boone Pickens Stadium.

OSU's highest preseason ranking was No. 16 in 1985. The Cowboys haven't occupied a spot in the Associated Press' preseason poll since 2003, when they were 24th.

"I was asked how I handle the pressure. It's the same every year," said Gundy, whose overall record is 27-23. "But now we have good chemistry and some good returning players, so the expectations are a little higher.

"There would be a lot more pressure if I didn't have anybody who could make a play. I've experienced that before. It wasn't any fun."

As a first-year head coach in 2005, Gundy lacked skill-position talent. That Cowboy team was 4-7 overall, 1-7 in the Big 12. Now, OSU wide receiver Dez Bryant, running back Kendall Hunter, quarterback Zac Robinson and return specialist Perrish Cox are nationally renowned playmakers.

Among OSU's goals is a seventh bowl appearance in eight years, along with the program's first 10-win season since 1988.


Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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78 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "THURSDAY: Gundy answers questions on season, facilities," which was published on 7/1/2009.

Report Comment
Alan Shore, (7/2/2009 6:11:25 AM)
The best rankings that TBoone's money can buy...

Gundy still has to coach every game...maybe he'll actually watch the defense this year.
Report Comment
Darockwilder, Tulsa (7/2/2009 7:16:56 AM)
Everyone knocks T Boone, you know how much money goes into OU's football Program?????? I'm sorry you had to comment and be a little cry baby boomer because are team is getting publicity thats a pathetic ou fan right there for you...I guess your still hurt from Florida and Texas last year! cry me a river
Report Comment
GoldenDriller1, Out of State (7/2/2009 7:30:52 AM)
The team that will consitantly defeat Oklahoma State this year will be Oklahoma State.
Report Comment
Phred_53, Stillwater (7/2/2009 7:38:26 AM)
Alan the difference is TBoone has PUBLICLY announced if OSU cheats his money is gone. OU CONSISTENTLY gets caught cheating and the Gaylord family still donates. BTW do I sense a LOT of envy in your constant TBoone comments? How does National Ranking and preseason expectations have anything to do with TBoone? I'm going to guess your a typical scared Sooner who now has to actually worry about OSU beating them in Football.
Report Comment
FalconDriver, Tulsa (7/2/2009 7:53:44 AM)
Go Pokes!
Report Comment
Darockwilder, Tulsa (7/2/2009 7:59:46 AM)
GoldenDriller1
DUH yup The team that will constantly defeat Oklahoma State this year will be Oklahoma State
DUH go Soomer Booner that was such an awesome comment wow what a diss! learn how to spell dumb sooner that never probably went there and on the bandwagon like half the state guaranteed half of your fans that are not in school or went there would switch to orange if we were number one and the way things are starting to look maybe that will happen and that will be a fun day to watch!
Report Comment
Darockwilder, Tulsa (7/2/2009 8:13:15 AM)
let me help you out with grammar "constantly" boomer sooner hope i helped you learn something new
Report Comment
MichaelJordan, (7/2/2009 8:14:21 AM)
GOOOOOO POOKES!!!! BEAT GEORGIA!!!!
Report Comment
driller53, (7/2/2009 8:42:27 AM)
It really doesn't matter how high the rankings are for OSU, they're still Aggies and they'll still choke in one or two big games. It's just who they are and what they do!
Report Comment
driller53, (7/2/2009 8:44:09 AM)
One further thing: I played at OSU in the early 1970s. I have overcome the stigma of having once been an Aggie.
Report Comment
Darockwilder, Tulsa (7/2/2009 8:51:11 AM)
driller53
so your a traitor good for you and i guess OU chokes in championship bowl games... now when was the last when they had in a bowl game? so i guess its pretty even in some ways
Report Comment
Darockwilder, Tulsa (7/2/2009 8:51:55 AM)
win not when
Report Comment
ken7, (7/2/2009 8:58:19 AM)
Gotta love these gooners on here......
Report Comment
Darockwilder, Tulsa (7/2/2009 8:59:30 AM)
Florida,West Virgina ,Boise State which was a great one,Southern Cal,Louisiana St.... hey not bad 1 out of 6 bowl games you won, i guess thats not choking for a #1 ranked team right?
Report Comment
Darockwilder, Tulsa (7/2/2009 9:04:47 AM)
Driller53,
Any comments about choking? Its pathetic you would diss your own Alma Mater
Report Comment
Darockwilder, Tulsa (7/2/2009 9:06:00 AM)
Typical Sooner so sad
Report Comment
CowboyBobDog, Creek Cty (7/2/2009 9:24:23 AM)
Driller53
Your second post proves why your first one used to be true. Lose'a

(Bobdog enjoyes being a Cowboy fan. One thing though, don't tell me about it, just do it!)
Report Comment
bobtay, Okmulgee (7/2/2009 9:27:03 AM)
Phred_53 and Ken7 you guys still haven't learned who the powerhouse in Oklahoma is. Wow... you guys are always talking up OSU football and how your going to do this and how your going to do that, what a joke. You guys are on here saying were scared of OSU and were gooners and all kinds of crap. How this for a fact it's not us making a big deal about being ranked in the preseason top 10 or highest ranking ever, losers I swear!!! What was last year score in Stillwater??? Remember you come to Norman this year and we will be ready to spank that little red ask again. Say what you want but it coming...
Report Comment
NN, (7/2/2009 9:35:59 AM)
Great step in the right direction for OSU football. Wins are all that matter. Gundy and company have built a winning program. Let's hope they can keep it going. GO POKES!
Report Comment
anm1135, (7/2/2009 9:38:55 AM)
So does that mean UO players are Aggies at heart? I seem to remember them choking away several of their last big games.
Report Comment
tulsandn, Boswell / Tulsa (7/2/2009 9:41:06 AM)
Fear the Cane' !!!!

Boomer Sooner !!!!

Go Pokes !!!!

Should be a great year to WATCH SOME FOOTBALL !!!!
Report Comment
Darockwilder, Tulsa (7/2/2009 9:43:32 AM)
bobtay
before 7 minutes left in the 4Th quarter at the bedlam game last year i bet you were going to $h!* your pants we let down you got the best of us but that 7 minutes doesn't nearly do that game enough justice the score didn't reflect that game
Report Comment
Darockwilder, Tulsa (7/2/2009 9:45:13 AM)
anm1135
didnt know you were a poke my bad from earlier comments
Report Comment
Have that, America (7/2/2009 10:14:32 AM)
I'll never understand the land thieves and their insecurity issues. its like an entire fan base made up of guys with short man syndrome and women with daddy issues...its just wierd and disturbing.

This is going to be a great year in Cowboy football. Cant wait!
Report Comment
Darockwilder, Tulsa (7/2/2009 10:16:45 AM)
have that
ha ha i feel you man
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