Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Oklahoma State Football: 5 post-spring bold predictions for 2019

By John Scimeca

STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 15: Head Coach Mike Gundy of the Oklahoma State Cowboys adjust his glasses before the game against the Boise State Broncos at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defeated the Broncos 44-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 15: Head Coach Mike Gundy of the Oklahoma State Cowboys adjust his glasses before the game against the Boise State Broncos at Boone Pickens Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cowboys defeated the Broncos 44-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
oklahoma state football
STILLWATER, OK – OCTOBER 27: Safety Jarrick Bernard #24, cornerback Bryce Brown #29, wide receiver Tylan Wallace #44, and defensive tackle Darrion Daniels #79 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys taunt the Texas Longhorns after winning their game 38-35 on October 27, 2018 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

2. New offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson’s hire pays off

The allure of the gig of directing OSU’s offense might depend on how you look at it. On one hand, you’ve got outsized expectations and former play-caller Mike Gundy breathing down your neck. Consider that the Pokes ranked in the top 15 nationally in scoring offense, total offense, passing offense, and first downs in 2018.

On the other hand, though, the OSU offensive coordinator has a well-oiled machine and many talented parts that make it hum. Either main candidate for the starting quarterback job is supremely talented (and experienced, in Dru Brown’s case), Tylan Wallace returns after hauling in 86 catches for 1,491 yards and 12 touchdowns, Chuba Hubbard looks to capitalize on a strong freshman season (6 yards per carry), and most of the offensive line returns.

Enter, Sean Gleeson.

Gleeson replaces former OSU offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich, who spent seven successful seasons in Stillwater despite having only directed offenses at the Division II level beforehand — at Edinboro and Shippensburg.

Princeton’s offense averaged 6.5 yards per carry and more than 241 passing yards per game in a season in which the Tigers finished 10-0 (7-0 Ivy League). Many projected that the team was better than as many as 20-30 FBS programs, if just that many.

In just 10 games of the 2018 season, Tigers quarterback John Lovett threw for more than 1,800 yards, including 18 touchdowns and three interceptions under Gleeson’s tutelage. Here’s one highlight from the Tigers’ Ivy League-clinching win:

https://twitter.com/IvyLeague/status/1063888484190941184

No matter how you look at it, Gleeson’s success at Princeton portends good things for his upcoming tenure at OSU.

Home/Oklahoma State Cowboys