Fansided

College Football Rankings: Top 25 entering spring games

By Brad Weiss

December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
14 of 25
Next
Dec 29, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Jhajuan Seales (81) offensive lineman Brad Lundblade (71) and quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) after scoring on a 23-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes during the 2016 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Jhajuan Seales (81) offensive lineman Brad Lundblade (71) and quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) after scoring on a 23-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes during the 2016 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
12

Oklahoma State Cowboys

2016: 10-3, Big 12

Head coach Mike Gundy and the Oklahoma State Cowboys have been one of the more consistent teams in college football over the past seven seasons. The team has won ten or more games five times, and head into 2017 with an offense that should have no problems putting points on the board. The problem for the Cowboys will be up front on defense, but teams may not be able to match them point for point anyway.

Quarterback Mason Rudolph returns to lead a Cowboys offense that could be the best in the Big 12 this season. His favorite target, James Washington, will also be back, and they could have the kind of year that Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook had for Oklahoma in 2016. Add to the mix that now-sophomore running back Justice Hill is coming off a 1,100-yard season as a freshman, and you could possibly have the best Cowboys offense in recent memory.

The defense is going to have to have players step up, as the team is losing two key players in linebackers, Devante Averette and Jordan Burton. Oklahoma State does return Chad Whitener, who was a 2nd Team All-Big 12 selection last season. Defensive lineman Vincent Taylor is also gone, which is going to make the Cowboys thin up front against the run.

Still, this team is going to win games and should have no problems putting together another 10-win season. Gundy has turned himself into one of the elite college football coaches in the land, and it should be very fun seeing the Cowboys go up and down the field with ease in 2017. They do have a tough road schedule, and they play Pittsburgh, Texas Tech, Texas, and West Virginia away, but they will get Oklahoma and Kansas State at home.

Home/College Football