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Big 12 Football Preseason Power Rankings: Boomer Sooner

By VF Castro

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Nov 21, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) looks to pass against the Baylor Bears during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Baylor won 45-35. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) looks to pass against the Baylor Bears during the second half at Boone Pickens Stadium. Baylor won 45-35. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Oklahoma State Cowboys

A lot of early reports indicated that critical road games for the Cowboys against the Big 12’s most fearful opponents hurt its stock. However, with Baylor’s depth an impending issue, that only leaves TCU on Nov. 19 and Oklahoma on Dec. 3 as the Cowboys’ biggest hurdles.

Discipline and consistency brought Oklahoma State to Top 25 discussion, but experience and proven methods have kept them at the top of the conference.

Bedlam will be the Cowboys’ biggest test, and could very easily be the Big 12’s title game depending on where TCU stands. But with Oklahoma State posting three double-digit wins in the past five seasons, it’s impossible to count them out of championship and playoff contention.

With an impressive lineup of veteran leadership, games against Baylor or Oklahoma–the Cowboys’ only Big 12 losses last season–are tangible wins in 2016.

The only area where its offense needs to improve on in order to get into Playoff contention is in its rushing efficiency. In 2015, the Cowboys were ranked No. 114 in the nation in rushing, averaging  just 4.4 yards-per-carry. When you compare the Big 12 as a while, that’s unacceptable, despite its explosiveness in the passing game.

If the Cowboys’ defense can keep its scoring average around the same number (30.5 points-per-game), it will be effective. But I don’t expect to see a decline in fumble recoveries (24 in 2015) with Jordan Burton leading the linebacking corps.

Silver Lining: Mike Gundy’s Cowboys know they’re in an advantageous position, especially with Baylor out of most Top 3 picks. With talent stacked, this could be Oklahoma State’s season.

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