- Head coach: Mike Gundy (20th season)
- 2023 record: 10-4 (won Texas Bowl)
- PFF power ranking: 37th
- Chance to win the Big 12: 7%
- Strength of schedule: 65th
- Projected win total: 7.4
- FanDuel win total: 7.5
- 2024 recruiting rank (On3): No. 52 nationally, No. 10 in the Big 12
After starting the 2023 season unranked, Oklahoma State finished at No. 16 following a 10-4 campaign that included a trip to the Big 12 Championship game. The Cowboys once again have high hopes for 2024, with the driving force behind their success last year returning for another season: running back Ollie Gordon II.
Gordon won the Doak Walker Award as a sophomore last year after leading the nation with 1,732 rushing yards. Oklahoma State also returns quarterback Alan Bowman, star receiver Brennan Presley and all five starters on the offensive line. It’ll need its defense, specifically the coverage unit, to perform at a higher level to win the Big 12.
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Biggest Strength: The reigning Doak Walker Award winner
Ollie Gordon II isn’t just the best running back in college football; he has a strong argument to be the best player in the nation, regardless of position. He’s the only player in college football who was the best at his position last year and returned for another season. The junior will once again be the bell-cow of Oklahoma State’s offense.
Biggest Weakness: Secondary
The Cowboys finished just 103rd in team coverage grade last season and didn’t add much in the transfer portal to fix their issues. They even lost starting outside cornerback D.J. McKinney to Colorado.
2023 Team Overview
Offense |
||||
| EPA per play | Yards per play | Successful play rate | Explosive run play rate | Explosive pass play rate |
| 0.010 | 6.0 | 35.7% | 14.2% | 15.4% |
| 63rd | 49th | 60th | 88th | T-53rd |
Defense |
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| EPA allowed per play | Yards allowed per play | Successful play rate allowed | Explosive run rate allowed | Explosive pass rate allowed |
| 0.021 | 6.4 | 34.4% | 17.2% | 18.9% |
| 85th | T-123rd | 63rd | 107th | 132nd |
Three Notable Transfer Portal Additions
- TE Tyler Foster (Ohio): 54.3 PFF grade
- WR Da’Wain Lofton (Virginia Tech): 57.1 PFF grade
- RB AJ Green (Arkansas): 66.1 PFF grade
Three Notable Transfer Portal Losses
- CB D.J. McKinney (Colorado): 68.8 PFF grade
- WR Jaden Bray (West Virginia): 66.1 PFF grade
- WR Blaine Green (Stephen F. Austin): 58.3 PFF grade
Quarterback Spotlight: Alan Bowman
2023 Grade: 74.8
Key Stat: 84.3 PFF passing grade on throws under 2.5 seconds (14th in FBS)
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