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Oklahoma State Football: 5 bold predictions for November 2019

By John Scimeca

STILLWATER, OK - OCTOBER 19: Wide receiver Jordan McCray #12 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys wraps his hands around a touchdown pass over his shoulder against cornerback Raleigh Texada #13 of the Baylor University Bears in the first quarter on October 19, 2019 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - OCTOBER 19: Wide receiver Jordan McCray #12 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys wraps his hands around a touchdown pass over his shoulder against cornerback Raleigh Texada #13 of the Baylor University Bears in the first quarter on October 19, 2019 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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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) /

1. Mike Gundy responds to critics

OSU’s head coach doesn’t have much to answer for in Stillwater these days. He’s a hometown hero who has taken his alma mater to new heights during his 15 years in charge, leading the Cowboys to six seasons with 10 wins or more, including a No. 3 finish in the nation in 2011. His overall win-loss record is 126-62.

He’s also coached a number of future NFL stars and has consistently overseen one of the country’s most prolific offenses year after year. He’s dealt with staff turnover, anxious boosters, and the ins and outs of working with young men, and he’s still experienced an incredible amount of success considering what OSU football was before his arrival on staff as offensive coordinator in 2001.

His track record with the Pokes, though, hasn’t stopped the whispers this season among OSU fans about Gundy’s capacity as head coach. After a disappointing 7-6 finish last year (which was preceded by three consecutive 10-win seasons), the Cowboys dropped three out of four games before last week’s road win against Iowa State.

Some said Gundy was getting outsmarted by the new Big 12 coaching arrivals. Others said he has looked apathetic on the sideline. Maybe, they say, he’s ready to move on for different challenges and has grown complacent.

This month of November, look for Gundy to respond to this criticism head-on. He doesn’t dabble in social media or in the day-to-day mood of OSU fans, and rightfully so. But the pressure of being a big-time college football coach will either make him lash out in a press conference or an on-field interview after a loss, or he will brazenly declare a triumph after a decisive OSU victory in one of its next four games.

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Don’t necessarily expect an “I’m 40!” repeat, because he’s mellowed out at the age of 52. But he’s still got enough to say and has shown no sign of finishing his job on the OSU sidelines yet.

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