5 programs who can become new Big 12 superpower after Oklahoma, Texas leave
By John Buhler
Oklahoma State has the financial resources to get out of Big Brother’s shadow
One of the most obvious candidates to emerge as the a Big 12 superpower has to be Oklahoma State. Along with Kansas State, the Cowboys are arguably the most consistently strong program that is still in the Big 12. Whether it be oil money, a strong athletic department or having a hall-of-fame-level coach at his alma mater in Mike Gundy, there are reasons to be bullish on the Pokes.
With Big Brother leaving for the SEC, that absolutely opens up market share for Oklahoma State. No, it is never going to be a top-three program all time like Oklahoma was, but the Cowboys can get to and maintain a 10-win threshold for years to come. Recruiting may be a little harder for them, but their path to the playoff has never been as clear as it will be in the coming few seasons.
Where this is really interesting is Gundy has done a phenomenal job of building on what Les Miles started in Stillwater to take a traditional Big Eight bottom-feeder and transform it into a regular Big 12 contender. Even in down years, Oklahoma State is still worthy of being discussed. The good news is those down years may become fewer and far between. Look for the Pokes to go up a level.
Maybe for the first time ever, Oklahoma State will get the respect it deserves in the Sooner State.