Oklahoma State football 2022 season prediction, preview, awards, 2022 bowl game

Oklahoma State football fell just short of winning the Big 12 a season ago, but Mike Gundy has the Cowboys eyeing the crown again in 2022.

What could’ve been for the Pokes. Oklahoma State football was a literal yard away from wearing the Big 12 crown last season but the Cowboys have been a consistent presence under head coach Mike Gundy and that looks to be proven true yet again in the 2022 season.

How good than the Cowboys be this year? There’s a chance that they’re able to make up for that one yard.

Coming at in No. 20 on FanSided’s Preseason Top 50 Rankings, the Oklahoma State Cowboys!

Oklahoma State football 2021 season in review

On the surface when you see the 12-2 overall record and 8-1 Big 12 mark for the Cowboys a season ago, most fans would look at the numbers and be happy with the results. Yet, it’s difficult to not think that the Pokes were a little un-Oklahoman in that they left some meat on the bone.

As referenced, Oklahoma State had the chance to win the Big 12 Championship Game against Baylor but came up with a questionable play call that left them short of the end zone and as runners-up in the conference. That ruined an outside shot at the College Football Playoff but they still found their way into the New Year’s Six and edged out Notre Dame in comeback fashion to take the Fiesta Bowl crown.

Previewing Oklahoma State Cowboys offense for 2022 season

Returning starters (7): QB Spencer Sanders, WR Braydon Johnson, WR Brennan Presley, CW Braden Cassity, OT Caleb Etienne, OG Hunter Woodard, OT Jake Springfield
Newcomers: 4-star WR Talyn Shettron, OG Tyrone Webber (New Mexico Military Institute), OT Jason Brooks Jr. (Vanderbilt), OT Casey Collier (USC)
Impact player: Spencer Sanders

There’s a lot to like about the Oklahoma State offense for the 2022 season as over half of the starting offensive line, two receivers and quarterback Spencer Sanders all return this season.

While Tay Martin, the team’s leading pass-catcher a year ago, is gone, Braydon Johnson and Brennan Presley were productive and seem naturally fit to step into larger roles. More importantly, the depth at the position is as good as it’s ever been. That’s a similar case for the running back group, even with the loss of playmaker Jaylen Warren as the group has players ready to step up.

But really, this offense will go as far as Sanders, who earned First-Team All-Big 12 honors last season, can take them. He accounted for over 3,400 yards of total offense last season with 26 total touchdowns, but he needs to be more consistent, particularly as a passer, to really help the Pokes reach their ceiling.

Previewing Oklahoma State Cowboys defense for 2022 season

Returning starters (5): DE Brock Martin, DE Tyler Lacy, DT Brendon Evers, DT Sione Asi, DE Trace Ford
Newcomers: LB Xavier Benson (Texas Tech)
Impact player: DE Trace Ford

It’s going to be a fascinating season for the Cowboys defense and that really starts with the coaching. Longtime defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is now at Ohio State, which made the way for Derek Mason to take over in Stillwater. That’s a big transition but Mason’s track record is strong and should give fans plenty of faith in the job he’s capable of doing.

There is, however, no denying that he has some work to do. The Oklahoma State defense was elite last season but now, outside of the defensive front, has a ton of holes to fill. That front could be the driving force for success, though, with all of the productive starters returning and the boost of Trace Ford, who dominated as a freshman and sophomore, finally getting back onto the field after two injury-plagued campaigns.

It’s the linebacker corps and secondary with real questions as the Cowboys are replacing every starter from that group. The good news is that Knowles gave plenty of players quality reps and experience last season, so it’s not a completely green group, but it still leaves question marks about whether or not the replacements can fill the big shoes left vacant.

Oklahoma State football players awards watch for 2022 season

Numerous Cowboys have been named to preseason awards watchlists, but these three stand out as prime candidates.

Collin Oliver, Bronko Nagurski/Bednarik

Oliver isn’t one of the returning starters on the defensive line but is getting a lot of love for what he can potentially do as a sophomore heavily involved in the rotation after putting up an impressive 10.5 sacks as a freshman a year ago.

Spencer Sanders, Maxwell/Davey O’Brien/Walter Camp Player of the Year

The talent and athleticism of Spencer Sanders have never been in question but, as mentioned, the key is him putting it all together in the 2022 season. Should he do that, he has the weapons around him to do something special in Stillwater.

Hunter Woodard, Outland

One of the returning starters on an offensive line that dominated last season, Woodard should be an elite protector in the trenches, which should give him a quality case to contend for the Outland this season.

Oklahoma State football biggest game on 2022 schedule

The scheduling gods have a sense of humor as the Cowboys will come off of their open week immediately after their non-conference schedule and make the trip to Waco to face the team they came up just short against in the Big 12 title game, the Baylor Bears.

Given how that game ended and that they’ll begin conference play with that matchup, this is a no-brainer as the biggest game on the slate for Oklahoma State this season. Both teams should be heavy contenders to make it back to the conference championship game, but this is also an opportunity for the Pokes to get the bad taste from last season out of their mouths and go into Big 12 play with good feels after exorcising some demons.

Oklahoma State football best-case scenario

After what should be a comfortable 3-0 start with a soft non-conference schedule, the Pokes go to Baylor after a week off. I have more questions about the Bears this season as they lost a ton of defensive and offensive weaponry, so in the best-case scenario, that’s a surefire win for Oklahoma State.

They can continue that run against Texas Tech and TCU in their next two games for a 6-0 start to the year that would have the Pokes rolling. And if we’re talking about what’s the best OSU could look, that means that Texas on Oct. 22 is still doing the Longhorns thing of disappointing in relation to expectations, so that’s win No. 7 for the Cowboys.

Every other game on the schedule should be considered a win for Gundy’s team except for the trip to Norman. Even with the Sooners undergoing massive changes, Bedlam tends to favor the home team, so I’m giving Venables a statement victory in the rivalry game. Still, an 11-1 regular season and 8-1 in the conference should have Oklahoma State back in the Big 12 title game, perhaps with a chance at a rematch against the Sooners.

Oklahoma State football worst-case scenario

Unfortunately, there is a sizeable discrepancy between the best- and worst-case scenarios for the Cowboys. A 3-0 start is basically a given, but a loss at Baylor could set the tone for some trouble spots down the road.

Oklahoma State should still move to 5-1 before welcoming Texas to Stillwater, but if things are going poorly for the Pokes, then the potentially prolific Longhorns offense could cause nightmares for this defense with questions on the second level. And if that’s the case, then the grinding Kansas State offense in a game in Manhattan could spell trouble and drop the Cowboys to 5-3.

Wins against Kansas and Iowa State would stop the bleeding but that loss to Oklahoma would still be looming before finishing with a win at West Virginia.

All things considered, a worst-case scenario of 8-4 isn’t the worst thing for many programs, but it would fall well short of the expectations for Oklahoma State football this season.

Oklahoma State football 2022 season prediction

The ultimate result probably lies closer to the best-case scenario for the Cowboys. My belief is that it’s Oklahoma, potentially Texas and Oklahoma State that will end the season atop the conference because, as mentioned, there are serious doubts about Baylor keeping up what they started last year.

Having said that, I’m dubious about the Cowboys being able to get past both Oklahoma and Texas this season. With the weak areas on a transitioning Oklahoma State defense, both the Sooners and Longhorns have the personnel to gash them. That will put a lot on Spencer Sanders to try and keep up, and that’s too much in my opinion.

As such, the final record for the Pokes will end up at 10-2 with a 7-2 mark in the conference.

Oklahoma State football 2022 bowl game prediction

College Football News has big hopes for the Cowboys as well with Oklahoma State projected to make it to the AllState Sugar Bowl for a date with Georgia.

Up Next: No. 19: Wisconsin Badgers

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