By Wendell Barnhouse | wendell@big12sports.com
Big 12 Sports.com Correspondent

2010: 11-2 overall, 6-2 in Big 12.
Bowl: Defeated Arizona 36-10 in Alamo Bowl.
Starters returning: 7 on offense, 4 on defense.

Overview
Following the best season in school history and with a potent offense in place, Oklahoma State’s challenge is to take the next step and win the Big 12 championship. If the conference race comes down to the Bedlam game with Oklahoma, that would be fine with the Cowboys considering that game is in Stillwater.

During the spring, new offensive coordinator Todd Monken did little more than tweak an attack that averaged 44 points and 520 yards per game. The defense has improved in each of coordinator Bill Young’s two seasons. He’s one of the best in the business and has a good collection of talent with which to work. Considering that in Oklahoma State’s two losses it allowed over 40 points, the defense is the biggest area that needs to help the Cowboys take that final step.



Who’s missing
Running back Kendall Hunter had a solid four-year career and was particularly effective as a senior. Linebacker Orie Lemon led the team in tackles last season and was the emotional leader of the defense. Oklahoma State didn’t have a lot of depth at defensive tackle last season – and both starters are gone. Dan Bailey, a consistent and record setting kicker, also must be replaced.

Who’s back
After a minor-league baseball career, Brandon Weeden burst on the scene as a 26-year-old quarterback last season. He was a perfect fit in the offense, throwing for more than 4,200 yards and 34 touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Justin Blackmon won the Biletnikoff Award after catching 111 passes for 1,782 yards and a national-best 20 touchdowns. The offensive line returns all five starters and allowed only 10 sacks in 13 games on 532 pass attempts last season. Expect sophomores Shaun Lewis (linebacker) and Justin Gilbert (cornerback) to emerge as top players on defense.

Spring news
* Sophomore Joseph Randle was impressive last season as Kendall Hunter’s backup. He finished with 452 yards rushing and had another 427 yards on 37 receptions. Sophomore Jeremy Smith, who was the team’s short-yardage back last season, was impressive in the spring game. Both should get plenty of carries as the Cowboys need to find a replacement for Hunter’s 1,548 yards rushing.

* Redshirt freshman Chris Littlehead and junior Nigel Nicholas are defensive tackles who had solid springs at a critical position; both of last year’s starters are gone. Nicholas is the most experienced defensive tackle returning while the 332-pount Littlehead has the size to be help anchor the interior of the line.

* While much of the attention at wide receiver will center on Justin Blackmon, the Cowboys have an embarrassment of riches at the position. Senior Hubert Anyiam is a talented player who had a great spring. Sophomore Michael Harrison also was outstanding but missed the spring game with a foot injury.

* The offensive line returns five starters but Michael Bowie is pushing for playing time. He spent time in Stillwater as a freshman before the NCAA Clearinghouse declared him ineligible. He attended Navarro (Texas) Junior College and played for last seasons’ national championship team there. During the spring he proved he is one of the Cowboys’ most talented linemen.

Coach Mike Gundy says
“I thought we had a really productive spring. We are relatively healthy, and we got a lot of young players a lot of reps. The offense looks very similar to what you saw last year.”


Schedule

Sept. 3	Lafayette
Sept. 8	Arizona
Sept. 17	at Tulsa
Sept. 24	at Texas A&M
Oct. 8	Kansas
Oct. 15	at Texas
Oct. 22	at Missouri
Oct. 29	Baylor
Nov. 5	Kansas State
Nov. 12	at Texas Tech
Nov. 18	at Iowa State
Dec. 3	Oklahoma