Savannah State vs. No. 19/19 Oklahoma StateSept. 1, 2012 :: 6 p.m. CT :: Boone Pickens Stadium (60,218 cap.)
TV: Fox College Sports Talent: Kevin Eschenfelder, ND Kalu and Erin Bajackson
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Talent: Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen National Radio: None
Booth: N/A Sideline: N/A Internet: okstate.com
Satellite Radio: Sirius Ch. 138
2012 Starts Now
The Oklahoma State Cowboys begin their 111th season of college football on Sept. 1 when Savannah State visits Stillwater for the first time. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The game will be televised by Fox College Sports. Kevin Eschenfelder will call the action. ND Kalu, former Rice Owl and Houston Texan, will provide analysis. Erin Bajackson will have sideline duty. What To Watch For
Some things to keep an eye on early in 2012...
• OSU will unveil a true freshman quarterback in Rochester, Ill., native Wes Lunt.
• The Cowboys lost four starters in the offensive line, but return three players with starting experience for 2012. The new-look line has a tradition to maintain.
• The Cowboys led the nation last season with 44 forced turnovers and have finished in the top 11 nationally in that category in three straight seasons. Bill Young's fourth defense will attempt to continue the streak.
• The Cowboys are replacing a pair of NFL first-round draft picks in quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon.
• It's no secret the OSU coaching staff is big on its linebackers. Three starters return for a unit that will be expected to carry the load for the Cowboy defense.
• OSU's starting cornerback tandem of junior Justin Gilbert and senior Brodrick Brown has been ranked by ESPN as the second best duo in the country.
• Look for a host of new receivers to touch the ball as the Cowboys make up for the loss of Blackmon, Josh Cooper and Hubert Anyiam.
• Running back Joseph Randle rushed for an astounding 24 touchdowns last season and averaged 5.85 yards per carry as a sophomore. He'll enter his junior season as one of the nation's top running backs.
• OSU will break in a pair of new starters at defensive end as Richetti Jones and All-Big 12 pick Jamie Blatnick have graduated.
• Quinn Sharp is back as the reigning Big 12 special teams player of the year. He is a legitimate threat for both the Lou Groza and Ray Guy awards.
The Throne Room
For the first time since 1977, Oklahoma State enters a season defending a conference title. The Cowboys claimed the Big 12 championship last year with an 8-1 conference record. The 12-1 season included a Fiesta Bowl victory over No. 4 Stanford. OSU concluded the year with its highest finish ever in the Associated Press, coaches' poll, and BCS Standings (third in all three). Oklahoma State just missed an appearance in the national championship game as Alabama edged out OSU for the second spot in BCS national championship game by the closest margin (between second and third) in the history of the process.
Winning Ways
The 2011 season was the latest in one of the best runs in OSU history. Consider:
• Over the last two seasons OSU has won 23 games, which is one win shy from tying for the nation's top total during that time.
• OSU has won 32 games over the last three seasons for America's sixth best total since 2009.
• Since 2008, the Cowboys have 41 wins for the seventh best total in the country.
• Oklahoma State, Alabama and Oregon are the only three "BCS" schools in the country with at least nine wins over each of the last four seasons (not including TCU, which was competing in the Mountain West Conference at the time).
• Since 2009, Oklahoma State's 20-5 conference record is the best in the Big 12.
• Since 2007, Oklahoma State is No. 11 in the cumulative BCS Standings, according to CBS.
Schedule Overview
Oklahoma State will face a challenging 2012 schedule, which, at this point, is redundant. According to the NCAA, which ranks its schedules based on cumulative opposition, OSU faced the nation's fourth toughest schedule a year ago. In 2012...
• OSU will face eight bowl teams from 2011, including six bowl champions.
• The Cowboys will play three teams that won 2011 conference titles (Louisiana, TCU, West Virginia).
• Oklahoma State will battle five teams that won 10 games a year ago and a sixth (Louisiana) that won nine games.
• Five OSU opponents (all Big 12 teams) are ranked in the preseason AP top 25.
Gundy In Perspective
Head coach Mike Gundy enters his eighth season as head coach at his alma mater. He is 59-30 after seven seasons and is the reigning national coach of the year (Paul "Bear" Bryant and Eddie Robinson awards) and he was named as the 2010 Big 12 coach of the year.
• OSU was 12-15 under Gundy after 27 games, but has gone 47-15 since then, including a 32-7 record over the last three seasons and 23-3 over the last two campaigns.
• Gundy's 59 wins at OSU rank second all-time behind only Gundy's college coach, Pat Jones (62-60-3).
• Perhaps the most impressive part of Gundy's tenure at OSU is that he has built the program with three different offensive coordinators and three different defensive coordinators. Three of his former assistants have left Oklahoma State to become head coaches (Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia, Larry Fedora at Southern Miss and now North Carolina, and Tim Beckman at Toledo and now Illinois).
• Under Gundy, OSU has gone to six straight bowl games (an OSU first) and won at least seven games in six straight seasons (another school first) and at least nine games in four straight seasons (yet another first).
• The 23 wins over the last two seasons are most ever by OSU in a two-year stretch.
• Under Gundy, OSU has reached the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for a school-best four straight seasons.
Gundy's Tenure
Mike Gundy is just the fifth coach in Oklahoma State history to reach his eighth season as the Cowboy head coach and the first to do it since Pat Jones coached his 11th and final season in 1994. Only Gundy, Jones and Cliff Speegle have coached at least eight years at the school in the post-World War II era. Gundy's tenure is now the fifth longest in the new Big 12.
Stat Review
On the brink of the 2012 season, a quick look at some of OSU's most interesting statistics from 2011:
• OSU's average of 387.2 passing yards per game was second nationally.
• OSU was third in total offense (545.85 yards per game).
• OSU was second nationally in scoring (48.69 ppg).
• OSU was sixth nationally with an average of 25.9 first downs per game.
• OSU was eighth in third-down percentage with a conversion rate of 48.9 percent.
• The Cowboys finished No. 11 in red-zone offense (73 scores on 82 opportunities).
• The Cowboys led the nation (tied with Michigan) with 20 fumbles recovered.
• The Cowboy defense finished second with 24 picks last season.
• OSU easily led the nation with 44 forced turnovers.
• OSU was No. 12 nationally in red zone defense, allowing 35 scores in 48 chances.
• OSU's turnover margin of plus-1.62 led the country.
Chart Toppers
In conference play last season, OSU easily led the Big 12 in scoring with 48.3 points per league game. It may come as a surprise, however, to note that OSU also led the Big 12 in scoring defense in league play (25.4 points per game), while topping the field in red zone defense with 23 scores allowed on 33 tries.
Some Guys To Watch
Oklahoma State has had its fair share of star power over the last few seasons with four national award winners and 14 first-team All-America selections under Mike Gundy. The 2012 squad includes several players that could contribute to that recent trophy run.
• Junior running back Joseph Randle is a member of the preseason watch lists for the Doak Walker, Walter Camp and Maxwell awards.
• Senior corner Brodrick Brown is a member of the preseason watch lists for the Thorpe, Nagurski, Lott and Bednarik awards.
• Senior specialist Quinn Sharp is a preseason candidate for the Groza and Guy awards.
• Senior offensive lineman Lane Taylor is a member of the 2012 Outland Trophy watch list.
Starting With Starts
Oklahoma State's 2012 roster features 22 players with starting experience, including 12 who have started at least 10 games. The longest string of consecutive starts belongs to Brodrick Brown with 27. His streak dates back to the Cotton Bowl in January of 2010. Lane Taylor tops all Cowboys with 36 career starts. Some other starting notes:
• The projected starting offensive line has a combined 57 career starts with three players having at least five career starts under their belt.
• The first-team linebackers have 44 career starts. Entering 2011, that trio had six career starts - all by Shaun Lewis.
• The secondary has 53 combined starts.
• The Cowboy defensive line has a total of 30 career starts.
• OSU's receiving corps has 26 career starts, including two by tight end Justin Horton.
• The secondary will be breaking in just one new starter in safety Shamiel Gary, the transfer from Wyoming.
New Starts
Based on the latest depth chart (which could change by game day), Oklahoma State will have several new starters in the lineup against Savannah State. That list includes quarterback Wes Lunt, center Evan Epstein, defensive end Ryan Robinson, safety Shamiel Gary, receivers Josh Stewart and Blake Jackson, defensive end Ryan Robinson, defensive tackles Calvin Barnett and James Castleman, and offensive linemen Daniel Koenig and Evan Epstein.
The Depth Chart
Oklahoma State's first two-deep of the season includes 53 position players (accounting for starters at tight end and fullback, a couple of either/ors and one player listed second at two positions). There are some numbers worth noting for the first week.
• The junior class leads the way with 19 players on the two-deep. Also included are 12 seniors, nine sophomores, eight redshirt freshmen and five true freshmen.
• Only four players listed as a 2012 starter were in the starting lineup for the 2010 Alamo Bowl (Jonathan Rush, Lane Taylor, Brodrick Brown, Shaun Lewis).
• Twelve players listed as starters against Savannah State were in the starting lineup for last year's opener against Louisiana (including fullback Kye Staley).
• A name to learn is Jeremy Seaton, a redshirt freshman walkon from Cashion. He's listed second at fullback and tight end on the first depth chart.
Seniors Among Seniors
Four members of the OSU roster enter 2012 with a college degree in hand. Center Evan Epstein has a degree in business management. Receiver Isaiah Anderson has earned his degree in education, defensive lineman Cooper Bassett has a degree in health promotion and holder Wes Harlan has a degree in business marketing.
Speaking Lunt-ly
The new starter that has gained the most attention during fall camp is true freshman quarterback Wes Lunt. The Rochester, Ill., native will become the first true freshman quarterback to start an OSU season opener since at least 1950. Records get a little sketchy before that decade. The last true freshman QB to start a game at any point during a season was Tone Jones in 1993. The most successful true freshman season in OSU history was turned in by Mike Gundy. He became a freshman All-American and set an NCAA record with 118 pass attempts to start a career without throwing an interception.
Opening Acts
Oklahoma State is 65-40-5 all-time in season openers, including 6-1 under Mike Gundy. The Cowboys haven't dropped a season opener since a 2007 loss at Georgia. In home openers, OSU has an all-time record of 77-28-5. OSU has won a school-record 16 straight home openers, dating back to 1995 against Nebraska (the first game for then-OSU head coach Bob Simmons).
• OSU is 23-4 in September under Mike Gundy.
• OSU is 23-4 in regular-season non-conference games under Mike Gundy.
• In seven season openers under Gundy, OSU is averaging 38.6 points per game.
• OSU has scored 61 and 65 points in its last two openers.
• In home openers since 2006, the Cowboys are averaging 50.0 points per game.
Stadium Numbers
Oklahoma State has won six straight home games after going undefeated at Boone Pickens Stadium in 2011. It was OSU's first undefeated home season since 1984 and just the 11th in school history. The school record for consecutive home wins is 10 (from Sept. 21, 2002 until Oct. 18, 2003).
At The Box Office
Oklahoma State football is coming off its best season ever at the box office. OSU set a school record in 2011 with 48,714 season tickets sold and set another record with an average attendance of 57,229. Those records could be short-lived. At this writing, Oklahoma State had sold more than 44,000 season tickets for 2012 with the students in the midst of their biggest buying binge of the year.
Series Talk
Oklahoma State and Savannah State are meeting for the first time. In fact, Oklahoma State is playing a member of the Mideastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) for the first time.
Home In The Polls
Oklahoma State opens the 2012 season ranked No. 19 in the Associated Press poll and USA Today coaches' poll. At no time in its history has Oklahoma State been more visible in the national polls than during the Mike Gundy era.
• The season opener against Savannah State will mark OSU's 23rd straight game as a member of the AP top 25.
• OSU has been in the preseason AP top 25 just five times in its history, including this season. However, 2012 marks the third time in four seasons Oklahoma State has accomplished the feat. OSU has debuted in the top 10 twice, checking at No. 9 in 2009 and 2011.
• Including the 2012 season opener, OSU has been ranked by AP in 45 of its last 49 games. In 29 of those games, the Cowboys have been in the top 15.
• In 2010, the Cowboys finished No. 10 in the USA Today poll and in 2011 OSU was third in the final AP and USA Today balloting. Prior to the past two seasons, OSU had not closed a season in the top 10 of a major poll since 1984 (seventh).
• The highest the Cowboys have been ranked under Gundy, and in program history, came in the Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 polls of last season when OSU peaked at No. 2 in the two major polls.
• Under Gundy, OSU is 33-11 as a member of the top 25.
• Under Gundy, OSU has spent 24 weeks (including weeks in which OSU was idle) in the top 10. Prior to Gundy, OSU had spent just 25 weeks in the top 10 of the AP poll in its history.
Streaking In Stillwater
OSU will carry several team and individual streaks into the new season.
• OSU has had a scoring drive of less than two minutes in 26 straight games.
• OSU has forced at least two turnovers in 11 straight games.
• The OSU defense has intercepted a pass in 11 straight games, dating back to last season's 37-14 win over Arizona.
• OSU has scored at least 37 points in 13 straight home games and has been held below 40 points just twice in its last 13 home games.
Careers To Watch
Oklahoma State heads into 2012 with a proven roster, despite what you might hear. As a result, the season opener is a good time to check in on where the current Cowboys rank on OSU's all-time lists.
• Running back Joseph Randle enters the season 25th all-time at OSU with 1,668 rushing yards.
• Randle is No. 8 all-time with 26 rushing touchdowns.
• Receiver Tracy Moore enters the season No. 21 all-time with 1,067 receiving yards.
• Justin Gilbert is No. 3 all-time at OSU with 1,401 kickoff return yards.
New O-Line Look
The Oklahoma State offensive line will look different in 2012. But it will also look the same. Gone are four starters from last season, but back are three players with starting experience at OSU. Guard Lane Taylor leads the squad with 36 career starts. Jonathan Rush was a starter in 2010 and the first four games of 2011 before being sidelined due to injury. He's back to man the other guard spot. Tackle Parker Graham started four games last season at right tackle and two on the left side. The other tackle spot looks to belong to Daniel Koenig. The youngest of three Koenig brothers to play for OSU, he will be making his first career start, although he has seen action on special teams and in "heavy" formations. The center spot will be manned by fifth-year senior Evan Epstein. The Air Force transfer will be making his first career start as well.
What's Missing
OSU is looking to replace the Big 12's offensive lineman of the year in departed senior center Grant Garner, as well as All-America tackle Levy Adcock and do-everything guard/tackle Nick Martinez. All three of those players were two-year starters and all three are in NFL camps at this writing.
Taylor-Made
For the second time in his career, guard Lane Taylor is the foundation of a completely rebuilt offensive line. Taylor became one of the big stories in 2009 when he came from off of the depth chart to earn a starting spot at guard. In 2010, he was the only returning starter for a young Cowboy team that went on to finish 11-2 and earn a co-championship in the Big 12 South. And in 2012, he is once again the only returning starter from the previous season.
The Circle Of Trust
Since the beginning of the 2007, the Oklahoma State offensive line has been among the most productive in the country. OSU is third nationally in fewest sacks allowed over the last five years with 61. OSU has allowed more than 12 sacks in a season just once in that stretch. Three of the teams in the top five of the category are service academies. None of those schools ever attempted for more than 380 passes in a season. Last year, OSU attempted 595 passes.
The New Crew
It's been well documented what the Cowboys have lost in the receiving department. OSU will be replacing 264 receptions out of 429 total catches last season. That departed group accounted for 3,158 of OSU's 5,034 receiving yards. In Justin Blackmon (second) and Josh Cooper (eighth), OSU lost two of the top eight receivers in OSU history. However, the cupboard is not empty.
• Tracy Moore was third on the squad last season with 45 catches. He was also third with 672 receiving yards and tied for second on the squad with four TD catches. Moore averaged 14.9 yards per catch last season as compared to Blackmon's 12.9-yard average and Cooper's 10.1 mark.
• Running back Joseph Randle was fourth on the team with 43 catches (covering 266 yards). He has already accumulated 693 receiving yards in his career.
• Senior Isaiah Anderson is coming off his best season with 28 catches, 315 yards and four touchdowns.
• Josh Stewart had 19 catches for 291 yards in 2011 as a true freshman and averaged 15.3 yards per reception.
Keep An Eye On...
Returning receiver Charlie Moore, who is coming off a big spring and transfer Blake Jackson, figure to help lead the new-look Cowboy receiving corps. A true freshman, C.J. Curry, is also listed on the first depth chart of the season, as is fellow rookie pass catcher Blake Webb.
Smith And Randle
We will just go ahead and state that, in the humble opinion of us, the best college running back combination in history is Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas. Both are members of the College Football Hall of Fame as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The current combo of Jeremy Smith and Joseph Randle may not be ready for Canton, but together, they became one of the best duos in OSU history in 2011.
• Together, Smith and Randle rushed for 1,826 yards and 33 touchdowns last season. Combined they averaged 6.2 yards per rush.
• Entering their junior seasons, the two have combined for 2,736 career rushing yards.
• Smith averaged eight carries per game last season, but averaged 7.1 yards per rush and had runs of 74 and 63 yards.
• Randle's 24 rushing touchdowns last season were the third best total in the country. He was seventh in the Big 12 last year in all-purpose yards, despite not being involved in the return game.
The Young Influence
OSU defensive coordinator and alum Bill Young is beginning his fourth season at Oklahoma State (he shares the defensive coordinator title with Glenn Spencer). In his first three seasons, OSU has gone 32-7, including 20-5 in Big 12 play. And while the Cowboy defense is still evolving, his influence is clear in one very important area: turnovers. In Young's three seasons back in Stillwater, the Cowboys have finished No. 11, No. 5 and No. 1 nationally in turnovers forced.
Three Years And Triple Digits
Oklahoma State's turnover trend, which drew its share of national publicity a season ago, is much more than a one-year phenomenon. Over the last three seasons, Oklahoma State has forced 108 turnovers -- 17 more than runner-up Oregon forced over the same time frame.
Defense Means D-Lowe
The Oklahoma State defense returns plenty of experience from 2011, including the ringleader in safety Daytawion Lowe. The junior led the Cowboys and finished No. 13 in the Big 12 last season with 97 tackles. He was sixth in the Big 12 and tied for the OSU team lead with three forced fumbles.
Corner Men
Oklahoma State has a dynamic duo at cornerback in senior Brodrick Brown and junior Justin Gilbert. Brown is a returning first-team All-Big 12 corner and is mentioned on three preseason watch lists. Gilbert is a returning starter (and Fiesta Bowl MVP) with physical tools that would make most college football players envious. Together, Brown and Gilbert put up impressive numbers a year ago.
• They combined to pick off 10 passes last season, the second best total by any duo in the country. Their five picks each tied them No. 14 in America (individually speaking).
• They also combined to break up 25 passes (15 by Brown and 10 by Gilbert).
• Brown finished third in the country a year ago with 20 passes defended. Gilbert was No. 30 in that category with 25.
Three Of A Different Kind
Oklahoma State returns all three starting linebackers from a year ago. The trio of Shaun Lewis, Caleb Lavey and Alex Elkins has combined for 44 career starts. Lewis and Lavey started every game last year while Elkins missed just the Tulsa game after suffering an injury against Arizona. The three players are indeed a team as each player brings something different to the table.
• Shaun Lewis is the most experienced as he enters his third year as a starter. The former freshman All-American is an absolute playmaker. In 19 career starts, Lewis has five interceptions, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and he has scored two defensive touchdowns.
• Lavey is the cerebral leader of the team in the middle of the OSU defense. He's the Cowboy player always in the right place at the right time. With one year as a starter under his belt, he is likely to take a step forward in 2012.
• Elkins is the best athlete of the trio with the combination of size and speed that gets him noticed. Despite being a returning senior starter, he is still short of actual football experience. He continues to get better with repetitions. He was second on the team a year ago with 90 tackles.
The Front Wall
The OSU defensive line will be an interesting unit to watch this season. There are 30 career starts returning to the unit, but with old faces in news places and new faces in the lineup, the Cowboys will head into the opener with no returning starts in regards to the same position as a year ago.
• Defensive end Nigel Nicholas has started 16 games to lead the team. However, all of his career starts have been inside. In 2012, he is back at defensive end, where he started his career and where he has never started a game. He shares a position with Cooper Bassett, who last started a game in 2009 (at tight end).
• Tackle Anthony Rogers has nine career starts at tackle. However, he is currently second on the depth chart behind true sophomore James Castleman, who will be looking to make his first career start.
• Junior college transfer Calvin Barnett appears to have locked down a tackle spot and senior Ryan Robinson figures to get the first start of his career this season on the outside.
• Coming off the bench are tackles Christian Littlehead and Davidell Collins. Littlehead has four career starts and Collins has been an important reserve.
Sharp Performances
Over the last three seasons, Oklahoma State has had a Ray Guy Award winner (Matt Fodge in 2008) and a Lou Groza Award winner (Dan Bailey in 2010). In senior Quinn Sharp, the Cowboys could have the best of both worlds. Sharp is a legitimate contender for both national awards in 2012 (he has already been a semifinalist for each).
• Sharp is the reigning Big 12 special teams player of the year.
• He has already earned first-team All-America honors as both a punter and a kicker (in two different seasons).
• A year ago, Sharp was third nationally with a punting average of 46.3 yards and he was seventh nationally in field goal percentage (22-of-25).
• Sharp was fifth nationally a year ago in scoring (11.5 ppg) and tops among America's kickers.
• Sharp has led the country's kickers in all three seasons on kickoff touchbacks.
The Rest Of The Story
OSU returns the heart and soul of its special teams units. Along with Sharp, OSU returns holder Wes Harlan, and snappers Connor Sinko (field goals) and Andrew Suter (punts).
Justin Served
Along with his standout work on defense, junior Justin Gilbert is well established as a return man. He enters the season tied for the NCAA lead (among active players) with four career kick returns for touchdowns. His career average of 26.9 is fifth among returning players. He is also tied for the OSU career lead with his four returns for scores.
Uniform Note
Oklahoma State sported a new look in 2011 - actually 13 new looks. OSU partnered with Nike to play in Nike Pro Combat uniforms. OSU has its choice of 48 different combinations with helmets of white, black and gray, jerseys of black, gray and orange (for home games), and pants that are black, white, orange or gray. A player panel has made the game selections for the 2012 entire season.
Talent: Dave Hunziker, John Holcomb and Robert Allen National Radio: None
Booth: N/A Sideline: N/A Internet: okstate.com
Satellite Radio: Sirius Ch. 138
2012 Starts Now
The Oklahoma State Cowboys begin their 111th season of college football on Sept. 1 when Savannah State visits Stillwater for the first time. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. The game will be televised by Fox College Sports. Kevin Eschenfelder will call the action. ND Kalu, former Rice Owl and Houston Texan, will provide analysis. Erin Bajackson will have sideline duty. What To Watch For
Some things to keep an eye on early in 2012...
• OSU will unveil a true freshman quarterback in Rochester, Ill., native Wes Lunt.
• The Cowboys lost four starters in the offensive line, but return three players with starting experience for 2012. The new-look line has a tradition to maintain.
• The Cowboys led the nation last season with 44 forced turnovers and have finished in the top 11 nationally in that category in three straight seasons. Bill Young's fourth defense will attempt to continue the streak.
• The Cowboys are replacing a pair of NFL first-round draft picks in quarterback Brandon Weeden and receiver Justin Blackmon.
• It's no secret the OSU coaching staff is big on its linebackers. Three starters return for a unit that will be expected to carry the load for the Cowboy defense.
• OSU's starting cornerback tandem of junior Justin Gilbert and senior Brodrick Brown has been ranked by ESPN as the second best duo in the country.
• Look for a host of new receivers to touch the ball as the Cowboys make up for the loss of Blackmon, Josh Cooper and Hubert Anyiam.
• Running back Joseph Randle rushed for an astounding 24 touchdowns last season and averaged 5.85 yards per carry as a sophomore. He'll enter his junior season as one of the nation's top running backs.
• OSU will break in a pair of new starters at defensive end as Richetti Jones and All-Big 12 pick Jamie Blatnick have graduated.
• Quinn Sharp is back as the reigning Big 12 special teams player of the year. He is a legitimate threat for both the Lou Groza and Ray Guy awards.
The Throne Room
For the first time since 1977, Oklahoma State enters a season defending a conference title. The Cowboys claimed the Big 12 championship last year with an 8-1 conference record. The 12-1 season included a Fiesta Bowl victory over No. 4 Stanford. OSU concluded the year with its highest finish ever in the Associated Press, coaches' poll, and BCS Standings (third in all three). Oklahoma State just missed an appearance in the national championship game as Alabama edged out OSU for the second spot in BCS national championship game by the closest margin (between second and third) in the history of the process.
Winning Ways
The 2011 season was the latest in one of the best runs in OSU history. Consider:
• Over the last two seasons OSU has won 23 games, which is one win shy from tying for the nation's top total during that time.
• OSU has won 32 games over the last three seasons for America's sixth best total since 2009.
• Since 2008, the Cowboys have 41 wins for the seventh best total in the country.
• Oklahoma State, Alabama and Oregon are the only three "BCS" schools in the country with at least nine wins over each of the last four seasons (not including TCU, which was competing in the Mountain West Conference at the time).
• Since 2009, Oklahoma State's 20-5 conference record is the best in the Big 12.
• Since 2007, Oklahoma State is No. 11 in the cumulative BCS Standings, according to CBS.
Schedule Overview
Oklahoma State will face a challenging 2012 schedule, which, at this point, is redundant. According to the NCAA, which ranks its schedules based on cumulative opposition, OSU faced the nation's fourth toughest schedule a year ago. In 2012...
• OSU will face eight bowl teams from 2011, including six bowl champions.
• The Cowboys will play three teams that won 2011 conference titles (Louisiana, TCU, West Virginia).
• Oklahoma State will battle five teams that won 10 games a year ago and a sixth (Louisiana) that won nine games.
• Five OSU opponents (all Big 12 teams) are ranked in the preseason AP top 25.
Gundy In Perspective
Head coach Mike Gundy enters his eighth season as head coach at his alma mater. He is 59-30 after seven seasons and is the reigning national coach of the year (Paul "Bear" Bryant and Eddie Robinson awards) and he was named as the 2010 Big 12 coach of the year.
• OSU was 12-15 under Gundy after 27 games, but has gone 47-15 since then, including a 32-7 record over the last three seasons and 23-3 over the last two campaigns.
• Gundy's 59 wins at OSU rank second all-time behind only Gundy's college coach, Pat Jones (62-60-3).
• Perhaps the most impressive part of Gundy's tenure at OSU is that he has built the program with three different offensive coordinators and three different defensive coordinators. Three of his former assistants have left Oklahoma State to become head coaches (Dana Holgorsen at West Virginia, Larry Fedora at Southern Miss and now North Carolina, and Tim Beckman at Toledo and now Illinois).
• Under Gundy, OSU has gone to six straight bowl games (an OSU first) and won at least seven games in six straight seasons (another school first) and at least nine games in four straight seasons (yet another first).
• The 23 wins over the last two seasons are most ever by OSU in a two-year stretch.
• Under Gundy, OSU has reached the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for a school-best four straight seasons.
Gundy's Tenure
Mike Gundy is just the fifth coach in Oklahoma State history to reach his eighth season as the Cowboy head coach and the first to do it since Pat Jones coached his 11th and final season in 1994. Only Gundy, Jones and Cliff Speegle have coached at least eight years at the school in the post-World War II era. Gundy's tenure is now the fifth longest in the new Big 12.
Stat Review
On the brink of the 2012 season, a quick look at some of OSU's most interesting statistics from 2011:
• OSU's average of 387.2 passing yards per game was second nationally.
• OSU was third in total offense (545.85 yards per game).
• OSU was second nationally in scoring (48.69 ppg).
• OSU was sixth nationally with an average of 25.9 first downs per game.
• OSU was eighth in third-down percentage with a conversion rate of 48.9 percent.
• The Cowboys finished No. 11 in red-zone offense (73 scores on 82 opportunities).
• The Cowboys led the nation (tied with Michigan) with 20 fumbles recovered.
• The Cowboy defense finished second with 24 picks last season.
• OSU easily led the nation with 44 forced turnovers.
• OSU was No. 12 nationally in red zone defense, allowing 35 scores in 48 chances.
• OSU's turnover margin of plus-1.62 led the country.
Chart Toppers
In conference play last season, OSU easily led the Big 12 in scoring with 48.3 points per league game. It may come as a surprise, however, to note that OSU also led the Big 12 in scoring defense in league play (25.4 points per game), while topping the field in red zone defense with 23 scores allowed on 33 tries.
Some Guys To Watch
Oklahoma State has had its fair share of star power over the last few seasons with four national award winners and 14 first-team All-America selections under Mike Gundy. The 2012 squad includes several players that could contribute to that recent trophy run.
• Junior running back Joseph Randle is a member of the preseason watch lists for the Doak Walker, Walter Camp and Maxwell awards.
• Senior corner Brodrick Brown is a member of the preseason watch lists for the Thorpe, Nagurski, Lott and Bednarik awards.
• Senior specialist Quinn Sharp is a preseason candidate for the Groza and Guy awards.
• Senior offensive lineman Lane Taylor is a member of the 2012 Outland Trophy watch list.
Starting With Starts
Oklahoma State's 2012 roster features 22 players with starting experience, including 12 who have started at least 10 games. The longest string of consecutive starts belongs to Brodrick Brown with 27. His streak dates back to the Cotton Bowl in January of 2010. Lane Taylor tops all Cowboys with 36 career starts. Some other starting notes:
• The projected starting offensive line has a combined 57 career starts with three players having at least five career starts under their belt.
• The first-team linebackers have 44 career starts. Entering 2011, that trio had six career starts - all by Shaun Lewis.
• The secondary has 53 combined starts.
• The Cowboy defensive line has a total of 30 career starts.
• OSU's receiving corps has 26 career starts, including two by tight end Justin Horton.
• The secondary will be breaking in just one new starter in safety Shamiel Gary, the transfer from Wyoming.
New Starts
Based on the latest depth chart (which could change by game day), Oklahoma State will have several new starters in the lineup against Savannah State. That list includes quarterback Wes Lunt, center Evan Epstein, defensive end Ryan Robinson, safety Shamiel Gary, receivers Josh Stewart and Blake Jackson, defensive end Ryan Robinson, defensive tackles Calvin Barnett and James Castleman, and offensive linemen Daniel Koenig and Evan Epstein.
The Depth Chart
Oklahoma State's first two-deep of the season includes 53 position players (accounting for starters at tight end and fullback, a couple of either/ors and one player listed second at two positions). There are some numbers worth noting for the first week.
• The junior class leads the way with 19 players on the two-deep. Also included are 12 seniors, nine sophomores, eight redshirt freshmen and five true freshmen.
• Only four players listed as a 2012 starter were in the starting lineup for the 2010 Alamo Bowl (Jonathan Rush, Lane Taylor, Brodrick Brown, Shaun Lewis).
• Twelve players listed as starters against Savannah State were in the starting lineup for last year's opener against Louisiana (including fullback Kye Staley).
• A name to learn is Jeremy Seaton, a redshirt freshman walkon from Cashion. He's listed second at fullback and tight end on the first depth chart.
Seniors Among Seniors
Four members of the OSU roster enter 2012 with a college degree in hand. Center Evan Epstein has a degree in business management. Receiver Isaiah Anderson has earned his degree in education, defensive lineman Cooper Bassett has a degree in health promotion and holder Wes Harlan has a degree in business marketing.
Speaking Lunt-ly
The new starter that has gained the most attention during fall camp is true freshman quarterback Wes Lunt. The Rochester, Ill., native will become the first true freshman quarterback to start an OSU season opener since at least 1950. Records get a little sketchy before that decade. The last true freshman QB to start a game at any point during a season was Tone Jones in 1993. The most successful true freshman season in OSU history was turned in by Mike Gundy. He became a freshman All-American and set an NCAA record with 118 pass attempts to start a career without throwing an interception.
Opening Acts
Oklahoma State is 65-40-5 all-time in season openers, including 6-1 under Mike Gundy. The Cowboys haven't dropped a season opener since a 2007 loss at Georgia. In home openers, OSU has an all-time record of 77-28-5. OSU has won a school-record 16 straight home openers, dating back to 1995 against Nebraska (the first game for then-OSU head coach Bob Simmons).
• OSU is 23-4 in September under Mike Gundy.
• OSU is 23-4 in regular-season non-conference games under Mike Gundy.
• In seven season openers under Gundy, OSU is averaging 38.6 points per game.
• OSU has scored 61 and 65 points in its last two openers.
• In home openers since 2006, the Cowboys are averaging 50.0 points per game.
Stadium Numbers
Oklahoma State has won six straight home games after going undefeated at Boone Pickens Stadium in 2011. It was OSU's first undefeated home season since 1984 and just the 11th in school history. The school record for consecutive home wins is 10 (from Sept. 21, 2002 until Oct. 18, 2003).
At The Box Office
Oklahoma State football is coming off its best season ever at the box office. OSU set a school record in 2011 with 48,714 season tickets sold and set another record with an average attendance of 57,229. Those records could be short-lived. At this writing, Oklahoma State had sold more than 44,000 season tickets for 2012 with the students in the midst of their biggest buying binge of the year.
Series Talk
Oklahoma State and Savannah State are meeting for the first time. In fact, Oklahoma State is playing a member of the Mideastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) for the first time.
Home In The Polls
Oklahoma State opens the 2012 season ranked No. 19 in the Associated Press poll and USA Today coaches' poll. At no time in its history has Oklahoma State been more visible in the national polls than during the Mike Gundy era.
• The season opener against Savannah State will mark OSU's 23rd straight game as a member of the AP top 25.
• OSU has been in the preseason AP top 25 just five times in its history, including this season. However, 2012 marks the third time in four seasons Oklahoma State has accomplished the feat. OSU has debuted in the top 10 twice, checking at No. 9 in 2009 and 2011.
• Including the 2012 season opener, OSU has been ranked by AP in 45 of its last 49 games. In 29 of those games, the Cowboys have been in the top 15.
• In 2010, the Cowboys finished No. 10 in the USA Today poll and in 2011 OSU was third in the final AP and USA Today balloting. Prior to the past two seasons, OSU had not closed a season in the top 10 of a major poll since 1984 (seventh).
• The highest the Cowboys have been ranked under Gundy, and in program history, came in the Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 polls of last season when OSU peaked at No. 2 in the two major polls.
• Under Gundy, OSU is 33-11 as a member of the top 25.
• Under Gundy, OSU has spent 24 weeks (including weeks in which OSU was idle) in the top 10. Prior to Gundy, OSU had spent just 25 weeks in the top 10 of the AP poll in its history.
Streaking In Stillwater
OSU will carry several team and individual streaks into the new season.
• OSU has had a scoring drive of less than two minutes in 26 straight games.
• OSU has forced at least two turnovers in 11 straight games.
• The OSU defense has intercepted a pass in 11 straight games, dating back to last season's 37-14 win over Arizona.
• OSU has scored at least 37 points in 13 straight home games and has been held below 40 points just twice in its last 13 home games.
Careers To Watch
Oklahoma State heads into 2012 with a proven roster, despite what you might hear. As a result, the season opener is a good time to check in on where the current Cowboys rank on OSU's all-time lists.
• Running back Joseph Randle enters the season 25th all-time at OSU with 1,668 rushing yards.
• Randle is No. 8 all-time with 26 rushing touchdowns.
• Receiver Tracy Moore enters the season No. 21 all-time with 1,067 receiving yards.
• Justin Gilbert is No. 3 all-time at OSU with 1,401 kickoff return yards.
New O-Line Look
The Oklahoma State offensive line will look different in 2012. But it will also look the same. Gone are four starters from last season, but back are three players with starting experience at OSU. Guard Lane Taylor leads the squad with 36 career starts. Jonathan Rush was a starter in 2010 and the first four games of 2011 before being sidelined due to injury. He's back to man the other guard spot. Tackle Parker Graham started four games last season at right tackle and two on the left side. The other tackle spot looks to belong to Daniel Koenig. The youngest of three Koenig brothers to play for OSU, he will be making his first career start, although he has seen action on special teams and in "heavy" formations. The center spot will be manned by fifth-year senior Evan Epstein. The Air Force transfer will be making his first career start as well.
What's Missing
OSU is looking to replace the Big 12's offensive lineman of the year in departed senior center Grant Garner, as well as All-America tackle Levy Adcock and do-everything guard/tackle Nick Martinez. All three of those players were two-year starters and all three are in NFL camps at this writing.
Taylor-Made
For the second time in his career, guard Lane Taylor is the foundation of a completely rebuilt offensive line. Taylor became one of the big stories in 2009 when he came from off of the depth chart to earn a starting spot at guard. In 2010, he was the only returning starter for a young Cowboy team that went on to finish 11-2 and earn a co-championship in the Big 12 South. And in 2012, he is once again the only returning starter from the previous season.
The Circle Of Trust
Since the beginning of the 2007, the Oklahoma State offensive line has been among the most productive in the country. OSU is third nationally in fewest sacks allowed over the last five years with 61. OSU has allowed more than 12 sacks in a season just once in that stretch. Three of the teams in the top five of the category are service academies. None of those schools ever attempted for more than 380 passes in a season. Last year, OSU attempted 595 passes.
The New Crew
It's been well documented what the Cowboys have lost in the receiving department. OSU will be replacing 264 receptions out of 429 total catches last season. That departed group accounted for 3,158 of OSU's 5,034 receiving yards. In Justin Blackmon (second) and Josh Cooper (eighth), OSU lost two of the top eight receivers in OSU history. However, the cupboard is not empty.
• Tracy Moore was third on the squad last season with 45 catches. He was also third with 672 receiving yards and tied for second on the squad with four TD catches. Moore averaged 14.9 yards per catch last season as compared to Blackmon's 12.9-yard average and Cooper's 10.1 mark.
• Running back Joseph Randle was fourth on the team with 43 catches (covering 266 yards). He has already accumulated 693 receiving yards in his career.
• Senior Isaiah Anderson is coming off his best season with 28 catches, 315 yards and four touchdowns.
• Josh Stewart had 19 catches for 291 yards in 2011 as a true freshman and averaged 15.3 yards per reception.
Keep An Eye On...
Returning receiver Charlie Moore, who is coming off a big spring and transfer Blake Jackson, figure to help lead the new-look Cowboy receiving corps. A true freshman, C.J. Curry, is also listed on the first depth chart of the season, as is fellow rookie pass catcher Blake Webb.
Smith And Randle
We will just go ahead and state that, in the humble opinion of us, the best college running back combination in history is Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas. Both are members of the College Football Hall of Fame as well as the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The current combo of Jeremy Smith and Joseph Randle may not be ready for Canton, but together, they became one of the best duos in OSU history in 2011.
• Together, Smith and Randle rushed for 1,826 yards and 33 touchdowns last season. Combined they averaged 6.2 yards per rush.
• Entering their junior seasons, the two have combined for 2,736 career rushing yards.
• Smith averaged eight carries per game last season, but averaged 7.1 yards per rush and had runs of 74 and 63 yards.
• Randle's 24 rushing touchdowns last season were the third best total in the country. He was seventh in the Big 12 last year in all-purpose yards, despite not being involved in the return game.
The Young Influence
OSU defensive coordinator and alum Bill Young is beginning his fourth season at Oklahoma State (he shares the defensive coordinator title with Glenn Spencer). In his first three seasons, OSU has gone 32-7, including 20-5 in Big 12 play. And while the Cowboy defense is still evolving, his influence is clear in one very important area: turnovers. In Young's three seasons back in Stillwater, the Cowboys have finished No. 11, No. 5 and No. 1 nationally in turnovers forced.
Three Years And Triple Digits
Oklahoma State's turnover trend, which drew its share of national publicity a season ago, is much more than a one-year phenomenon. Over the last three seasons, Oklahoma State has forced 108 turnovers -- 17 more than runner-up Oregon forced over the same time frame.
Defense Means D-Lowe
The Oklahoma State defense returns plenty of experience from 2011, including the ringleader in safety Daytawion Lowe. The junior led the Cowboys and finished No. 13 in the Big 12 last season with 97 tackles. He was sixth in the Big 12 and tied for the OSU team lead with three forced fumbles.
Corner Men
Oklahoma State has a dynamic duo at cornerback in senior Brodrick Brown and junior Justin Gilbert. Brown is a returning first-team All-Big 12 corner and is mentioned on three preseason watch lists. Gilbert is a returning starter (and Fiesta Bowl MVP) with physical tools that would make most college football players envious. Together, Brown and Gilbert put up impressive numbers a year ago.
• They combined to pick off 10 passes last season, the second best total by any duo in the country. Their five picks each tied them No. 14 in America (individually speaking).
• They also combined to break up 25 passes (15 by Brown and 10 by Gilbert).
• Brown finished third in the country a year ago with 20 passes defended. Gilbert was No. 30 in that category with 25.
Three Of A Different Kind
Oklahoma State returns all three starting linebackers from a year ago. The trio of Shaun Lewis, Caleb Lavey and Alex Elkins has combined for 44 career starts. Lewis and Lavey started every game last year while Elkins missed just the Tulsa game after suffering an injury against Arizona. The three players are indeed a team as each player brings something different to the table.
• Shaun Lewis is the most experienced as he enters his third year as a starter. The former freshman All-American is an absolute playmaker. In 19 career starts, Lewis has five interceptions, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and he has scored two defensive touchdowns.
• Lavey is the cerebral leader of the team in the middle of the OSU defense. He's the Cowboy player always in the right place at the right time. With one year as a starter under his belt, he is likely to take a step forward in 2012.
• Elkins is the best athlete of the trio with the combination of size and speed that gets him noticed. Despite being a returning senior starter, he is still short of actual football experience. He continues to get better with repetitions. He was second on the team a year ago with 90 tackles.
The Front Wall
The OSU defensive line will be an interesting unit to watch this season. There are 30 career starts returning to the unit, but with old faces in news places and new faces in the lineup, the Cowboys will head into the opener with no returning starts in regards to the same position as a year ago.
• Defensive end Nigel Nicholas has started 16 games to lead the team. However, all of his career starts have been inside. In 2012, he is back at defensive end, where he started his career and where he has never started a game. He shares a position with Cooper Bassett, who last started a game in 2009 (at tight end).
• Tackle Anthony Rogers has nine career starts at tackle. However, he is currently second on the depth chart behind true sophomore James Castleman, who will be looking to make his first career start.
• Junior college transfer Calvin Barnett appears to have locked down a tackle spot and senior Ryan Robinson figures to get the first start of his career this season on the outside.
• Coming off the bench are tackles Christian Littlehead and Davidell Collins. Littlehead has four career starts and Collins has been an important reserve.
Sharp Performances
Over the last three seasons, Oklahoma State has had a Ray Guy Award winner (Matt Fodge in 2008) and a Lou Groza Award winner (Dan Bailey in 2010). In senior Quinn Sharp, the Cowboys could have the best of both worlds. Sharp is a legitimate contender for both national awards in 2012 (he has already been a semifinalist for each).
• Sharp is the reigning Big 12 special teams player of the year.
• He has already earned first-team All-America honors as both a punter and a kicker (in two different seasons).
• A year ago, Sharp was third nationally with a punting average of 46.3 yards and he was seventh nationally in field goal percentage (22-of-25).
• Sharp was fifth nationally a year ago in scoring (11.5 ppg) and tops among America's kickers.
• Sharp has led the country's kickers in all three seasons on kickoff touchbacks.
The Rest Of The Story
OSU returns the heart and soul of its special teams units. Along with Sharp, OSU returns holder Wes Harlan, and snappers Connor Sinko (field goals) and Andrew Suter (punts).
Justin Served
Along with his standout work on defense, junior Justin Gilbert is well established as a return man. He enters the season tied for the NCAA lead (among active players) with four career kick returns for touchdowns. His career average of 26.9 is fifth among returning players. He is also tied for the OSU career lead with his four returns for scores.
Uniform Note
Oklahoma State sported a new look in 2011 - actually 13 new looks. OSU partnered with Nike to play in Nike Pro Combat uniforms. OSU has its choice of 48 different combinations with helmets of white, black and gray, jerseys of black, gray and orange (for home games), and pants that are black, white, orange or gray. A player panel has made the game selections for the 2012 entire season.
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