Big 12 Football - 2021 Oklahoma State Cowboys Preview
Our Oklahoma State Cowboys preview 2021 predicts that this team will have a tough time repeating what they did last season when they finished third in the conference with a 6-3 record. Overall, OSU was 8-3, which earned them a trip to the Cheez-It Bowl where they beat the Miami Hurricanes 37-34. What’s the difference this season? Just five starters return on offense. And although eight starters are back on D, the offense’s losses will most likely reduce the 30.2 PPG they averaged last season.
Oklahoma State Offense
The very good news on offense is that junior starting quarterback Spencer Sanders returns. Last season, Sanders passes for 2,007 yards completing 62.8% of his passes and connecting for 14 TDs. There’s no doubt that the dual-threat QB has a lot of potential that is yet untapped. For this team to excel in 2021, Sanders must reduce his number of picks and make better decisions. He tossed eight INTs in 2020. The top two receivers from last season, Tylan Wallace and Dillon Stoner and their respective 59 and 42 catches and six and four TD receptions, must be replaced. Tay Martin, a Washington State transfer, and sophomore wideout Brennan Presley both look promising.
Although last year’s top rusher, Chuba Hubbard, is gone, the number two and three guys, Dezmon Jackson and L.D. Brown, are back. Jackson rushed for 560 yards, averaging 5.5 YPA and scoring four times, while Brown recorded 478 ground yards and two TDs, averaging 5.3 YPA. There are concerns about the frontline, as just three starters are back. The group’s best player, Teven Jenkins, went to the NFL. However, senior LG Josh Stills is back and Miami (OH) transfer Danny Godlevske, a three-time All-MAC pick, comes in to stabilize the center position.
Oklahoma State Cowboys Preview 2021 - Defense
Last season, the Cowboys led the nation in third-down defense and defensive touchdowns. As noted, eight of those starters on defense are back for 2021. Overall, the OSU frontline is good, the linebacking unit has question marks, and the secondary is the best group on this side of the ball. Three-of-four starters return to the D-line, including Trace Ford who posted 4.5 sacks. The LB group is led by senior Malcolm Rodriguez. Last year, Rodriguez, an All-Big 12 pick who recorded three sacks, four TFL, three PBU, and five QBH, topped the team with 82 tackles.
Another All-Big 12 honoree from 2020, free safety Tre Sterling, returns. Last year, Sterling led the Cowboys with 11.5 TFL while also recording two picks, four PBU, and 74 tackles. The secondary also includes two other seasoned senior starters, as strong safety Tanner McCalister and safety Kolby Harvell-Peel, who had 44 and 41 tackles respectively, join Sterling. Senior corner J. Bernard-Converse will likely be joined by Christian Holmes at the other corner.
Specialists
The return game could be improved this season, as Presley gets a shot at bringing back punts and kicks. He certainly has speed and solid moves. Our Oklahoma State Cowboys preview 2021 observes that junior kicker Alex Hale, a Lou Groza Award semi-finalist, is exceptionally accurate. After tearing his ACL in 2020, he missed the last game of the season. If he returns healthy, that will be a major boost to this team. Punter Tom Hutton was a big factor last season in the fact that Oklahoma State led the Big 12 with just 1.5 return yards allowed. He placed 26 of 59 within the 20.
Oklahoma State Cowboys Preview 2021 - Projection
Mike Gundy returns for his 17th year as a college head coach. All of those years have been with the Cowboys. He has a sound defense and a promising offense. If QB Sanders can cut back on his miscues, this team could have another huge season. However, our Oklahoma State Cowboys preview 2021 finds that he’ll also need Presley and Martin to step up. There’s potential here. The big question is will it be fulfilled?
Big 12 Football - Oklahoma State Cowboys 2021 - Predictions:
Fifth Place - Big 12
Alamo Bowl vs. Arizona State