Correction
This column incorrectly referred to the Oklahoma State football team’s conference losses. Two of the three losses were against teams that were ranked No. 1 at some point during the 2008 football season.

SAN DIEGO — Oklahoma State's progress, by any measurement, has been substantial over the past three years.

Since OSU elevated Mike Gundy to head coach four years ago and he set about the work of remaking the program with his plan, the Cowboys took a quick dip and then got on a slow uphill climb.

It has been on a constant rise, a sure sign of encouragement for Oklahoma State football. Three straight bowl games. From 4-7 to 9-4.

Yet, there will be some disappointment after the injury-depleted Cowboys couldn't keep pace with Oregon in a 42-31 loss in Tuesday night's Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium.

It was the first time this season that OSU had lost a game to a team ranked outside of the nation's top three (Oregon was 15th).

Still, when the Cowboys were at full strength, during the first half, they appeared to be clearly the better team.

In the fourth quarter, when the game was up for grabs, wide receiver Dez Bryant and quarterback Zac Robinson were no factors because of injuries.

"We'll be back," said coach Mike Gundy. "We have a young football team. There will be a lot of excitement in the off season.

"I expect our team to come back, have a great offseason."

Since Gundy's infamous rant after the Texas Tech game in 2007 the Cowboys have been on fire. OSU has won 15 of 23 games, including that 49-45 victory over the Red Raiders.

During that time, it has lost just once to an unranked team. This past season, OSU's four losses came to teams ranked No. 1, No. 2, No. 2 and No. 15.

When expected to win, OSU did (until losing as a slight favorite at the Holiday Bowl). When expected to contend, the Cowboys were competitive. The only game this season OSU did not have a chance to win in the fourth quarter was the loss at Texas Tech.

The Cowboys have traditionally been an up-and-down program, capable of periodic highs mixed with some painful lows.

From the first day, Gundy said he had a plan to move OSU football into the national spotlight. And, as he said all week leading up to the Holiday Bowl, these Cowboys have not arrived.

"We want to win a championship," said Gundy.

Four years ago OSU needed a virtual miracle to win one Big 12 Conference game. This season, the Cowboys spent about a month in the top 10 and a large portion of the year in the top 15. The three conference losses came to teams that at various times this season were ranked No. 1.

From that dismal first season under Gundy, when the Cowboys were so bad they got ran off the field by Baylor, to Tuesday's Holiday Bowl, O-State has been in transition.

It would be logical to assume the climb up college football's ladder will continue next season.

There's little reason to believe there will be any significant dropoff in 2009.

If anything, the prospects for a huge season look pretty encouraging.

The Cowboys will have the primary players returning from one of the top offenses in the country, including All-Americans at receiver and running back, and a superb quarterback. They will continue a gradual upgrade in overall talent, the result of four straight highly touted recruiting classes.

Plus, unlike this season (road games at No. 3 Missouri, No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Texas Tech), the schedule will be tailor-made for a big push.

OSU has eight home games. If the Cowboys can protect their turf, it could be a huge season. O-State gets Georgia, Texas, Texas Tech, Missouri, Colorado, Houston, Rice and Grambling in Stillwater. That's six bowl teams from this season.

In addition, OSU will finally open completed renovations to Boone Pickens Stadium, including the deluxe end zone facilities that will rival any in the nation.

Gundy cautions that this would not be an overnight cure. To really fix the problems that have kept OSU from winning consistently, would take time and a lot of money. Pickens provided the bulk of the much-needed cash. Gundy has recruited the level of talent to put the Cowboys even with most programs in the country.

Gundy has not been shy about making tough decisions. In the months before his first game as head coach, he booted eight players, five of them probable contributors, from the team. The decision probably was a major factor in OSU's 4-7 season.

The skeptics jumped at the chance to say Gundy was not ready.

But the message was clear. There was a new sheriff in town. A couple of 7-6 bowl seasons followed and were full of disappointments and hope.

Then came this season. The Cowboys have not arrived. But, they are on the right track.To read John Klein's blog, go to
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