1. Oklahoma State will win nine games
Oklahoma State’s 2018 season was an undeniable disappointment as a 7-6 finish, despite the season-ending postseason victory against Missouri.
Looking toward 2019, it’s not unreasonable to expect a marked improvement.
Many playmakers are back on the offensive side of the ball, including standouts like Tylan Wallace and Chuba Hubbard. Defensively, the Pokes are thin on returners at the defensive line and with linebackers, but the bulk of its secondary returns — never something to be taken for granted in the pass-happy Big 12. Experienced placekicker Matt Ammendola has scored 251 career points, which leads all active returning Big 12 players.
The schedule promises for an easier start for OSU. Oregon State finished with 10 losses last season, McNeese is an FCS program and Tulsa has struggled in the AAC lately. Several of the toss-up Big 12 contests are at home, like games against Kansas State and Baylor.
Oklahoma State’s toughest games figure to be road games against Texas, Texas Tech and West Virginia, before hosting Oklahoma at the end of the season. The rest of the schedule, however, is not nearly as daunting.
Combining the talented returning pieces with a friendly schedule, and 2019 shapes up to be a good season for a Cowboy resurgence.