Head coach Mike Gundy and the Cowboys of Oklahoma State are considered by many to be the favorite to win the Big 12 title in 2013. After last season’s turbulent quarterback situation where three different starters were named and the Cowboys ended up 8-5, the team knows they will have to be focused and play up to their abilities to win the Big 12 this year.
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Senior quarterback Clint Chelf is considered the favorite to start their season opener on August 31 against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Chelf played in eight games last year and had 1,588 yards passing and 15 touchdowns. Although the Cowboys have been known to throw the ball a lot, they can also run the ball very effectively. The Cowboys have had a 1,000 yard rusher every year since 2007, and senior running back Jeremy Smith should be next on that list.
Smith didn’t get a ton of touches last year as he was behind former running back and current Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle. Smith rushed for 371 yards and eight touchdowns last year on 70 carries. As the featured back this year, he should be expected to pass the 1,000 yard mark.
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In addition to Smith, the Cowboys also return their leading receiver junior Josh Stewart who had a breakout 2012 season with 1,210 yards and seven touchdowns as well as senior receiver Tracy Moore who had a down year last year, but has overall been a productive receiver for the Cowboys offense since 2009. Freshman Ra’shaad Samples could see serious playing time this fall and the 5-foot-11 170-pound wide receiver from Dallas Skyline only supports their strong receiving corps.
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After a somewhat disappointing defensive performance last year, the Cowboys defense will need to improve in order to have a shot at winning the Big 12 in 2013. In the team’s five losses last year, the Cowboys allowed an average of 47.2 points per game, a number that has to come down in a big way to be successful.  Gundy promoted linebackers coach Glenn Spencer to be the new defensive coordinator and he will have the responsibility of resurrecting the Cowboys defense. The Cowboys key defensive returners are  senior defensive tackle Calvin Barnett who had 24 solo tackles and one sack as well as senior linebacker Shaun Lewis who had 43 solo tackles and three sacks. Those two will be the key leaders and playmakers of the Cowboys 2013 defense and they could determine whether the group will improve or worsen this fall.
Of several important games, including the Pokes’ season opener against the Bulldogs, the Bedlam Rivalry could prove to be the most important on the Cowboys 2013 schedule once again. Bedlam is in Stillwater this year at the end of the year and both teams could possibly be vying for the Big 12 title, just like in 2011.
With 15 returning starters, the lofty preseason expectations are within reach, but Oklahoma State will need to win the close games this fall, something that they couldn’t do in 2012.  A tough final three games against Baylor, Texas and Oklahoma will determine their Big 12 fate. If they can maintain steady quarterback play from Chelf and improve the defense, I like their chances at a Big 12 title this fall.
