2008 Oklahoma State
July 18, 2008
Get this, the Oklahoma State Cowboys finished the season as the most balanced team in NCAA History offensively. They passed for 3,161 yards and rushed for 3,161 yards in large part to three of the best offensive weapons in the country. The Cowboys lose their top running back and top wide receiver, so it will be extremely tough to repeat those offensive numbers with just Zac Robinson back from the dynamic trio at quarterback. Let’s see how their offense and defense shapes up with our 2008 Oklahoma State Cowboys football predictions .
Offense:
Zac Robinson set a school record for single-season total offense with 3,671 yards from scrimmage despite not starting until the third game of the season for Bobby Reid, who transferred out. This came in offensive coordinator Larry Fedora’s no-huddle, zone-spread attack. Now new co-offensive coordinators Gunter Brewer and Trooper Taylor are left with the job of making the most out of Robinson’s skill set. Robinson rushed for 847 yards and nine touchdowns, but he can actually pass too. He ranked 12th in the nation in pass efficiency and torched Texas for a school-record 430 yards through the air.
Robinson has the luxury of working behind four full-time starters on the offensive line. Also, talented tight end Brandon Pettigrew is back. Kendall Hunter was a sensational freshman running back, gaining 833 yards of total offense as a backup. The job is his, but at just 5-8, 180 lbs. the Cowboys will clearly have to find someone else to help carry the load. Junior Keith Toston can help if he limits his fumbles. The passing game needs another top wide receiver to emerge to go alongside Dez Bryant, who had 43 catches for 622 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman last year.
Defense:
Defensive coordinator Tim Beckman is lucky to have his job back after yielding 562 yards to Troy and 718 yards to Texas Tech in back-to-back games. The Cowboys allowed more than 500 yards in three consecutive games and, once again, finished among the nation’s worst defenses. That’s why OSU signed six junior college defenders to try and stop the bleeding. They do have six starting defenders back as the rebuilding continues.
Only tackle Jeray Chatham returns on the defensive line. Tonga Tea Jr. is a junior college All-American who had a disappointing 2007, but they are hoping his offseason workouts are enough to get a starting role in ‘08. Patrick Lavine led Oklahoma State in tackles in each of the past two seasons and he’ll be back at linebacker. Andre Sexton will be tagged the new linebacker-safety hybrid position starter. Perrish Cox and Jacob Lacey are back at cornerback, and Ricky Price emerged in the spring as a quality starter at strong safety.
Oklahoma State Cowboys Predictions at Info Plays: 5th in the Big 12 South
The Cowboys have improved their Big 12 record in each of Mike Gundy’s first three seasons as head coach. Two straight 7-6 campaigns and two straight bowl victories are enough to keep the fan’s optimism high. With Zac Robinson here and personnel in many of the right spots back, the offense will once again be dominant. It could be another difficult year on defense, though, a unit that lost solid players and good leaders from last year’s team. That makes an 8-win season unlikely, but the Cowboys won’t be an easy out for any Big 12 foe in 2008.
Big 12 Wins Expected in ‘08: BAYLOR , IOWA STATE
Potential Scares/Losses: TEXAS A&M , at Missouri , at Texas , at Texas Tech , at Colorado , OKLAHOMA