Oklahoma State offense: better, worse or about the same? Why?

For anyone who watched Oklahoma State last season, this is not a serious question…

The offense should be demonstrably better in 2o15, and all the credit will go to Sophomore QB Mason Rudolph and the offensive line.

Rudolph’s burned redshirt should turn out to be a worthwhile sacrifice, as excitement around the program is about as high as it was prior to the 2011 season. While he appears to be the field general OSU fans have been hoping for since the departure of Brandon Weeden, he won’t do it alone.

HC Mike Gundy’s hiring of former Buffalo Bills TE Coach (and Syracuse OL coach) Greg Adkins, as well as long time Montana State assistant Jason McEndoo (OL), has energized spring practice and completely turned around the outlook for a position group that suffered mightily in 2014 with injuries and the departure of OL Coach Joe Wickline to Texas. Although Adkins is making a big impression on the offensive line, the not so secret weapon could be McEndoo’s position group, known as the “Cowboy Backs.”

Gundy was looking to put some umph back in the running game without giving up the ability to throw it all over the field, so OSU has highlighted a “hybrid” position, with guys playing both TE and FB. Expect to see some double TE formations and “full house” backfields, with lots of pressure for pass coverage down the middle of the field and in the flat.

The Cowboys return LOTS of receiving talent, so if they can find a way to reload in the backfield the offense should be in good shape.

Oklahoma State defense: better worse or about the same? Why?

DC Glenn Spencer has definitely proven worthy, and his hard work last season with a bunch of young and inexperienced players should pay dividends in 2015, with some services predicting OSU’s defense could be one of the best in the Big 12.

The Cowboys boast an experienced two deep across all the positions except defensive line, but look to have reloaded at that position. LB’s, CB’s, and DE’s are all basically three deep. With very few Seniors floating around, this side of the ball should be pretty good for the next couple of years.

OSU returns a LOT of experience on the defensive side, including three year starter Kevin Peterson at CB; starting LB Ryan Simmons (All Big 12 Honorable Mention); DE Jimmy Bean (All Big 12 Honorable Mention); and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Emmanuel Ogbah at DE. Ogbah is considered by many to be a strong candidate for conference defensive player of the year in 2015.

Fans are definitely expecting this group to return to 2013 form.

You buying or selling this team in 2015? (How many games they winning this year? Playoffs?)

BUY BUY BUY!!!

This will be a rebuilding/reloading season for a number of top tier Big 12 teams, as the QB position was hit hard by graduation. The only other team with a settled, experienced signal caller is TCU, and although Art Briles has shown the ability to reload more than rebuild, Baylor also lost some other significant talent, so I fully expect OSU to be the team to challenge TCU at the top.

OU has a mess at QB…Kansas State lost their QB, as well as Tyler Lockett. Charlie Strong needs at least another year at Texas, and West Virginia has to replace too much talent. Texas Tech, Iowa State, and Kansas aren’t going to make any waves.

Playoffs ??? (cue Jim Mora)

In all honesty, it’s not a stretch that the Cowboys could reach their showdown with TCU undefeated. If so, and they come out on top, then yes, the CFP would be within site. But OSU would still have to navigate back to back home games with Baylor and OU to close the season, so until they actually get there, I’m not entertaining the thought.

They’ve been there once before, then Iowa State pooped on the parade. Besides, this all presumes a “perfect” season, and we know injuries, off the field issues, and goofy upsets can wreck those big dreams in an instant.

As I just said in my “way too early” preview of the 2015 schedule on Cowboys Ride For Free, I think they need at least 9 wins to avoid the “disappointing season” discussion. Ten wins is not a pipe dream by any means, given how favorably the schedule sets up.

Robert Whetsell of Cowboys Ride for Free provided the information for our Oklahoma State Football 2015 spring recap. For more OSU football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Robert on Twitter @RobertW_OkSt.