By Wendell Barnhouse
Big 12 Sports.com Correspondent
A daily countdown previewing the upcoming college football season continues. Today: Oklahoma State Cowboys.
2007: 7-6, 4-4 in South Division, tied for third.
Bowl game: Defeated Indiana, 49-33, in Insight Bowl.
Coach: Mike Gundy, 18-19, fourth season.
Returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense.
Staff changes: Offensive coordinator Larry Fedora took the head coaching job at Southern Miss before the Cowboys' bowl game. Gundy took over and the offense clicked. Oklahoma State hired Gunter Brewer and Trooper Taylor as co-offensive coordinators. Exactly who winds up calling plays will be interesting.
Offensive outlook: Junior Zac Robinson had outstanding numbers in his first season as a starter. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew is a huge target who can get down the field. The productive offensive line returns all five starters. The running game is in good hands with Kendall Hunter and Keith Toston.
Defensive outlook: After being torched for 287 yards passing per game, the Cowboys must do a better job pressuring quarterbacks and covering receivers. The speed and talent is there; the execution must improve. Linebackers Patrick Lavine and Andre Sexton (who is a hybrid linebacker/defensive back) are two players who have to be consistently productive.
Player on the spot: Zac Robinson. He proved he could be a dual threat last season but he needs to be more consistent as a passer. In three of his losses as a starter, Robinson threw for less than 200 yards.
Player on the rise: Andre Sexton. He is playing a position called "Star" in the Oklahoma State system. An outstanding safety, the 6-1, 210-pound junior should be able to make plays against the run, rush the passer and defend receivers.
Number of note: In its six losses last season, Oklahoma State allowed 230 points - an average of 38.3 per game.
Date book: If Oklahoma State is to better last season's record, the opener in Seattle is crucial. Washington State is expected to be at the bottom of the Pac-10, but the Cougars have a new coaching staff so Oklahoma State will have trouble preparing. The Big 12 slate is no walk in the park. The Cowboys open against Texas A&M and then travel to Missouri. A road game at Colorado - sandwiched between a trip to Texas Tech and the Bedlam Game with Oklahoma - is dangerous.
2008 SCHEDULE
| Aug. 30 | vs.
| Washington State
|
Sept. 6
|
| Houston
|
Sept. 13
|
| Missouri State
|
Sept. 27
|
| Troy
|
Oct. 4
|
| Texas A&M*
|
Oct. 11
| at
| Missouri*
|
Oct. 18
|
| Baylor*
|
Oct. 25
| at
| Texas*
|
Nov. 1
|
| Iowa State*
|
Nov. 8
| at
| Texas Tech*
|
Nov. 15
| at
| Colorado*
|
Nov. 29
|
| Oklahoma*
|
* - Big 12 Game
|
|
|
THE SCHEDULE - BIG 12 SKYWRITERS TOUR PRESENTED BY TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL