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College Football Playoff: 5 dark horse contenders

By Andrew Garda

Oct 11, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; A view of the college football playoff national championship trophy before the game between the Baylor Bears and the TCU Horned Frogs at McLane Stadium. The Bears defeat Horned Frogs 61-58. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; A view of the college football playoff national championship trophy before the game between the Baylor Bears and the TCU Horned Frogs at McLane Stadium. The Bears defeat Horned Frogs 61-58. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Paint flies from the helmet of Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive tackle James Castleman (91) as he is tackled by Washington Huskies defensive back Brandon Beaver in the fourth quarter in the 2015 Cactus Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Oklahoma State defeated Washington 30-22. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Paint flies from the helmet of Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive tackle James Castleman (91) as he is tackled by Washington Huskies defensive back Brandon Beaver in the fourth quarter in the 2015 Cactus Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium. Oklahoma State defeated Washington 30-22. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Oklahoma State

Things actually looked pretty solid for the Oklahoma State Cowboys last season during the first six games. After a tough loss to No. 1 ranked Florida State, the Cowboys ripped off five straight wins.

Then they hit three straight ranked teams—TCU, West Virginia and Kansas State—which walloped them by a collected score of 122-33. That sent them reeling, with a home loss to Texas and a trouncing by No. 7 Baylor.

Why did it happen? And how can I feel good about them given the epic collapse last year?

First of all, while the second half of 2014 was abysmal, there were parts which came together. A young team, Oklahoma State gained a lot of experience last season and while the offensive line and secondary both came together in the final quarter of 2014, they should be ready to go from jump in 2015.

The Cowboys also have a quarterback with some experience under his belt. Mason Rudolph was redshirting all of 2014, but had to step in for the last three games of last season (including the Cactus Bowl game). ‘Wins’ and ‘Losses’ are terrible stats to judge a quarterback by, but you could see a difference in those games and while he wasn’t the only reason they won two of them, Rudolph has shown he can be a leader on a team which needs it.

As was the case last season, Baylor, TCU, West Virginia and Kansas State could be the pivot point for this season. If Oklahoma State loses to one, they cannot fold like they did last season. I think the years’ worth of experience will make a huge difference, as will the steadying influence of Rudolph on offense.

If this team can build on the rough times they had in 2014, 2015 could be a very special year for the Cowboys.

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