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OSU coaches confident about upcoming season

OSU defensive coordinator Bill Young addresses supporters during an OSU caravan stop Thursday at St. John Catholic School in Bartlesville. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World
 
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 7/17/2009  2:22 AM
Last Modified: 7/17/2009  3:57 AM

 BARTLESVILLE — Oklahoma State football fans seem to view new defensive coordinator Bill Young as the potential difference-maker in a possible Cowboy surge to sustained national relevance.

On Thursday, during a Cowboy Caravan program presented by the Washington County chapter of the OSU Alumni Association, Young and linebackers coach Glenn Spencer addressed an orange-clad audience at the St. John Catholic School.

Greeted with a rousing ovation, Young said, "We feel really confident. It's time to tee it high and let it fly."

It was Spencer, however, who provided the punchiest quote.

Sharing his message to recruits, Spencer said, "You're going to have a chance to play at the highest level, and you're going to have a chance to win the national championship.'

"It's pretty exciting stuff," Spencer added. "There aren't many (Division I-A programs) that can honestly say that. I am very proud, very fortunate and blessed to be at a place where we have that chance, and hold on because it might be sooner than later."

Thursday's Cowboy Caravan, the first such event conducted in Bartlesville since the late '90s, occurred 51 days before the Georgia-OSU showdown. Set for Sept. 5 in Stillwater, it could reasonably be described as the most important opener in Cowboy football history.

In spite of ranking 93rd nationally in total defense last season, the Cowboys may be in the Top 10 of next month's Associated Press preseason poll.

"We are considered a big boy now," Spencer said.

The OSU program is not accustomed to such a high level of expectation. The Cowboys' highest preseason ranking was No. 16 in 1985. They haven't been a presence in the AP preseason poll since 2003, when they were 24th.

Referring to any OSU fan who might be daunted by a Top 10 ranking or worried about a challenging schedule, Caravan emcee Larry Reece said, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. This is a kitchen we've wanted to be in for a long time."

When Young speaks to fans, as he did also at Caravan stops in Enid and Woodward, he chooses his words carefully. He doesn't want to make outlandish promises, and at the same time he doesn't want to douse the fans' optimism.

"The less you say, the less you have to take back," Young said with a smile.

"Actually, we're pretty excited about what our opportunities are," said Young, who built nationally renowned defenses while coaching at Kansas in 2002-07. "We feel like we have a chance to be pretty good."

The Bartlesville Caravan was organized by Scot Harlow, a Broken Arrow native who graduated from OSU in 1992. He now resides in Bartlesville and works as a geographics information systems analyst for Conoco-Phillips. Harlow doesn't seem the least bit unnerved by the prospect of a Top 10 ranking.

"I think that's where we need to be," Harlow said. "If Bill Young and the defense can get up in the 40s (in the national total-defense rankings), I think we will easily be a Top 10 team."

When reminded that since 2002, OSU has not had a total-defense ranking of better than 74th, Harlow replied, "I understand that, but you have to trust that these coaches can get the job done. I think the fans are really excited about Bill Young."

The OSU coaches' vacation period has ended. Head coach Mike Gundy and his assistants meet in their new offices on Friday morning.

Also attending the Bartlesville Caravan were OSU athletic director Mike Holder and men's golf coach Mike McGraw. The national coach of the year, McGraw recounted the Cowboys' recent run at a third consecutive Big 12 championship.

Two dates remain on the Cowboy Caravan schedule July 30 at the Renaissance Hotel in Tulsa and July 31 in Oklahoma City. Gundy will speak at both events.

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

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COMMENTS 
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17 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
Bartian Sasquatch, Bartlesville (7/17/2009 8:49:24 AM)
It was a great event. Coaches Young, Spencer and McGraw, all did a good job.
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (7/17/2009 9:42:25 AM)
Let's get this season started!!
Report Comment
CowboyBobDog, Creek Cty (7/17/2009 11:52:01 AM)
Kick it off alrady!!!

(Bobdog is ready.)
Report Comment
CowboyBobDog, Creek Cty (7/17/2009 11:52:48 AM)
What

(Bobdog is still under the effects of the ripple.)
Report Comment
Arbythree, Tulsa (7/17/2009 11:53:55 AM)
That is called the "Ripple Effect"
Report Comment
52favoriteteacher, Washburn--used to be Broken Arrow (7/17/2009 12:16:30 PM)
GO COWBOYS!!!
Report Comment
CowboyBobDog, Creek Cty (7/17/2009 12:16:33 PM)
arf, arf. Arby

(Bobdog wags tail.)
Report Comment
MexiMike, Tulsa (7/17/2009 1:31:42 PM)
Cowboybobdog, you are a bit unique/strange but I must admit I smile every time I read one of your posts.

I'll be at the caravan in Tulsa getting even more pumped for the season to start! Go Pokes!!!
Report Comment
CowboyBobDog, Creek Cty (7/17/2009 2:58:55 PM)
""Cowboybobdog, you are a bit unique/strange...""

The only thing a self respecting Bulldog can say is thank you.

(Bobdog is out the doggie door, stoping at the Maple tree, bounds over the fence and is throwing the football with the neighborhood kids. Bobdog is trying to throw would be a better description.)
Report Comment
M_Sizzle, Tulsa (7/17/2009 4:44:21 PM)
Go Cowboys!!!
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (7/17/2009 11:08:45 PM)
Cowboy caravan? Sounds more like the bullsh......oops, I just remembered, Mike said no Sooner fans allowed on OSWho articles. My bad. Peath Out Cowdog (spoken very quietly as not to awaken the sleeping Mexican)
Report Comment
Rhymeister, Tokyo, JPN (7/18/2009 12:22:52 AM)
Shadow Knows, spoken like a true LandGrabber fan, congratulations!

Cowboybobdog, your avatar doesn't look like a Bulldog, lol. Or is that a Frenchy?

Not sure how good Ok State's D is gonna be this season but Young will get them there (top 40) by next season. Just scheming differently is going to be a big improvement, the past couple of D coordinators didn't take many chances IMO.
Report Comment
MexiMike, Tulsa (7/18/2009 1:31:29 PM)
Aww Steph, you're so cute when you post out of desperation for attention. There, I acknowledged you. Do you feel better now, cupcake?

Shadow knows makes idiotic comments on OSU and OU articles alike. It's his way of saying "I hate my life. Someone pay attention to me." Maybe someone should arrange a date for him and Steff at the local Waffle House.

Rhymeister, I don't think it necessarily had to do with the chances taken as much as the lack of depth at positions to play a whole 4 quarters. I think we'll see a noticeable improvement this year and even more so next year.
Report Comment
CowboyBobDog, Creek Cty (7/18/2009 5:16:20 PM)
Rhymeister,
I'm a Boston, Thank you very much.

Mexi,
Date at the local waffle house, Arf, Arf, Arf.

(Bobdog is a Boston Bulldog AKA Boston Terrier.)
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (7/19/2009 8:58:51 AM)
The Mexican is likening me to a girl and suggesting I go on a date with a guy even though I'm a guy. That would be like we were gay or something wouldn't it Mex? That is verrrrrry creative. You should go with something to do with me suffering from E.D. next time. That would be oh so funny.
Report Comment
MexiMike, Tulsa (7/19/2009 9:20:40 AM)
Haha, you're a guy?? My bad...now this is awkward.
Report Comment
Steff M, Claremore (7/21/2009 9:10:19 AM)
You should've taken my advice on the ED suggestion.
 

 
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