History:
Oklahoma State's football program has often taken a back seat at the University to other sports such as basketball, golf and wrestling. Formerly Oklahoma A&M, OSU has been playing football for over a hundred years, but it was the 80's that finally brought some recognition. With Pat Jones coaching such stars as Thurman Thomas and Barry Sanders, OSU became known as "Tailback U." Recent years have again brought success with NFL caliber backs such as Reggie White, Tatum Bell and Vernand Morency.
2010 Season:
Now, it appears, the Cowboys football team is taking a back seat to nobody. Mike Gundy has Oklahoma State winning consistently, a threat each year in the Big 12, and in 2010, they started 6-1, earning big victories over Texas Tech and Texas A&M. There was a home hiccup with a loss to Nebraska, but Oklahoma State rolled down the stretch, including a victory over Texas. Then came Bedlam, a chance to shake a monkey off the back and earn a first-ever trip to the Big 12 Championship. Unfortunately, the Cowboys lost a thriller. But a convincing win over Arizona in the Alamo Bowl has OSU excited to take the next step.
Location:
Boone Pickens Stadium on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater is over 80 years old but has been extensively renovated. Its current capacity is just over 60,000, and the stadium features club seats and concessions.
Tickets:
Season tickets are available that discount the per game price by nearly 20%. Single game tickets are not available for a premium match-up each season; in 2011, that's Oklahoam. Purchase tickets online or by calling (877) All-4-OSU.
Primary Coaching Staff:
Head Coach: Mike Gundy - since 2005
Former 4 year starter at QB for OSU, 2010 Big 12 Coach of the Year
Offensive Coordinator: Todd Monken - since 2011
Defensive Coordinator: Bill Young - since 2009
Associate Head Coach: Joe Deforest - since 2005
2011 Schedule:
* = Home Game
Sep 03 *Louisiana
Sep 08 *Arizona
Sep 17 Tulsa
Sep 24 Texas A&M
Oct 08 *Kansas
Oct 15 Texas
Oct 22 Missouri
Oct 29 *Baylor
Nov 05 *Kansas State
Nov 12 Texas Tech
Nov 18 Iowa State
Dec 03 *Oklahoma: the Bedlam Series
2011 Outlook:
The joyful surprise of 2010 firmly erased from memory Oklahoma State's disappointments in 2009. What was supposed to be a rebuilding year turned into the best in school history. Brandon Weeden not only replaced the departed Zac Robinson but bested him, getting national publicity and earning Big 12 honors at quarterback. Similarly, Justin Blackmon won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best receiver the year after the dynamic Dez Bryant left a void at the position. A team picked to finish as low as 5th in the Big 12 South went 11-2 and came within a hair of making the Big 12 Championship game.
Naturally, then, expectations couldn't be any higher in 2011. Back are Weeden and Blackmon to lead the high-powered offensive attack. Replacing Kendall Hunter won't be easy, but fans saw good things from Joseph Randle and Jeremy Smith in 2010. Plus, a year older are the defensive players that began to come into their own under Bill Young last season. Big-hitter Markelle Martin and pass-rushing defensive end Richetti Jones will headline a unit with experience at some key spots.
As with every college team, there are positions of doubt. Oklahoma State is forced to replace impact players such as Orie Lemon, and they will count on youngsters like Daytawion Lowe, a highly-recruited safety out of Carl Albert High School. In addition, the Cowboys will benefit greatly if a legitimate wide receiver threat can surface alongside Blackmon.
Perhaps the greatest area of concern, though, is the schedule. While 2010's slate set up quite wonderfully for the Cowboys, 2011 has plenty of tough tests. Oklahoma State will go on the road to A&M, Texas, Missouri and Texas Tech, not one of which is an easy place to play. Arizona poses a tough non-conference opponent in Stillwater, and Baylor won't be an easy out either. Then, of course, there's Oklahoma. The Cowboys get the benefit of a schedule inconsistency, giving them back to back Bedlam games at home, but even though the games are always closer in Stillwater, Oklahoma State has not been able to down the Sooners since 2002. In order to reach their goal of at Big 12 Championship and a BCS Bowl, OSU won't have much room for error.
Naturally, then, expectations couldn't be any higher in 2011. Back are Weeden and Blackmon to lead the high-powered offensive attack. Replacing Kendall Hunter won't be easy, but fans saw good things from Joseph Randle and Jeremy Smith in 2010. Plus, a year older are the defensive players that began to come into their own under Bill Young last season. Big-hitter Markelle Martin and pass-rushing defensive end Richetti Jones will headline a unit with experience at some key spots.
As with every college team, there are positions of doubt. Oklahoma State is forced to replace impact players such as Orie Lemon, and they will count on youngsters like Daytawion Lowe, a highly-recruited safety out of Carl Albert High School. In addition, the Cowboys will benefit greatly if a legitimate wide receiver threat can surface alongside Blackmon.
Perhaps the greatest area of concern, though, is the schedule. While 2010's slate set up quite wonderfully for the Cowboys, 2011 has plenty of tough tests. Oklahoma State will go on the road to A&M, Texas, Missouri and Texas Tech, not one of which is an easy place to play. Arizona poses a tough non-conference opponent in Stillwater, and Baylor won't be an easy out either. Then, of course, there's Oklahoma. The Cowboys get the benefit of a schedule inconsistency, giving them back to back Bedlam games at home, but even though the games are always closer in Stillwater, Oklahoma State has not been able to down the Sooners since 2002. In order to reach their goal of at Big 12 Championship and a BCS Bowl, OSU won't have much room for error.
