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Big 12 RANK: 3
2014 RECORD: 7-6 Big 12 RECORD: 4-5 (7th)
STADIUM: Boone Pickens Stadium (60,218)
LOCATION: Stillwater, Okla.
COACH: Mike Gundy — At OSU and overall: 84-44, 10 years
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Mike Yurcich
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Glenn Spencer
LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 2011
LAST TIME DIDN’T GO BOWLING: 2005
RETURNING STARTERS: 14; 6 offense, 7 defense, kicker
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Mason Rudolph, WR James Washington, WR Brandon Sheperd, DE Jimmy Bean, DE Emmanuel Ogbah, LB Seth Jacobs, LB Ryan Simmons, CB Kevin Peterson
PRIMARY STRENGTHS: Rudolph showed poise in his three games last season. Washington and Sheperd are big-play producers. Ogbah was the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, and Bean is quick off the edge. Peterson, Ashton Lampkin and Ramon Richards have great coverage potential.
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: The offensive line was abysmal last season because of unexpected departures, one key injury and players out of position, but it showed signs of improvement. Two impact defensive tackles, James Castleman and Ofa Hautau, are gone.
OFFENSE
Mason Rudolph burned his redshirt with just three games left in his freshman season and helped save the Cowboys from a losing season. He was poised, steady, accurate and evasive, and he could be OSU’s best quarterback since Brandon Weeden.
In three starts last year, he averaged 284.3 passing yards and two touchdowns per game. Rudolph’s playing time coincided with two other factors that should help again in 2015. First, offensive tackle Zachary Crabtree got healthy, allowing Zac Veatch to shift back to tight end and solidify two weaknesses. Second, coach Mike Gundy slimmed down his inconsistent receiver corps and replaced them with tight ends and fullbacks, who helped the offensive line become more physical.
Now, they’re all back — 12 players with significant starting experience, including senior quarterback J.W. Walsh.
Brandon Sheperd (39 catches, 737 yards, five TDs) and James Washington (28-456-6) remain the top targets. Jeremy Seaton and Blake Jarwin are versatile H-backs. UAB transfer Victor Salako takes over at left tackle, and the rest of the line is improved.
Now, if Gundy can find a reliable running back among senior Rennie Childs (483 career yards, four TDs) and enticing junior college transfers Todd Mays and Chris Carson, the offense could be riding high again.
DEFENSE
Depth is a problem, but talent is a strength.
Two major holes must be filled: Departed defensive tackles James Castleman and Ofa Hautau were rocks in the middle last season. But OSU has returning talent everywhere else that should be able to cover those spots.
Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (49 tackles, including 17 for loss and 11 sacks) was the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2014, and Jimmy Bean is a big-play specialist on the other side.
Free safety Jordan Sterns led the Cowboys with 103 tackles last season, and three-year starting linebacker Ryan Simmons (96 tackles, 12 for loss) is one of the Big 12’s best.
Linebacker Seth Jacobs and strong safety Tre Flowers also are capable playmakers.
Cornerback might be OSU’s strongest position. Kevin Peterson has All-American potential, and Ashton Lampkin will try to get his starting job back on the opposite side after an injury last season. Ramon Richards ably replaced Lampkin in 2014.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Ben Grogan missed three of his first five field goal attempts, then made 20 of his last 23, including a game-winner in overtime at Oklahoma. His 22 field goals are the third-best single-season total in school history.
Reliable punter Kip Smith must be replaced; Zach Sinor and Matt Hockett look like the top two candidates.
OVERVIEW
Speedy Tyreek Hill was kicked off the team after a domestic violence arrest, but his punt return touchdown in Norman, Okla., did more than send the game to overtime. It sent the Cowboys to a bowl and re-energized the program. After five straight losses, it created lasting momentum that has carried over into 2015.
TOP NEWCOMER
RB Todd Mays: He inherits Tyreek Hill’s question mark position: Where will he play? Answer: A little bit of everywhere. Last year at East Mississippi CC, Mays played receiver, running back (5.8 yards per carry, seven TDs) and some quarterback. In 2013, he rushed for 15 touchdowns.