Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbooks) - 2007 SEASON IN REVIEW: The Cowboys opened the 2007 season with a 35-14 loss at SEC power Georgia, but instead of settling in for a long run of futility, the team responded with victories in three of its next four, including a 49-35 triumph over a potent Texas Tech squad. An easy win over Sam Houston State followed, but the Pokes lost the next time out in a heartbreaker, falling at Texas A&M, 24-23. Coach Mike Gundy's club responded with back-to-back wins over Nebraska and Kansas State, setting up home showdowns with Texas and Kansas, both of which resulted in defeat.
A 45-14 pounding of Baylor got the team in a positive frame of mind as it took on hated rival Oklahoma in the regular season finale. It was anything but a proud day for the Cowboys as they were saddled with a 49-17 loss in Norman. However, Gundy's squad had done enough to earn a postseason invite, taking on Big Ten foe Indiana in the Insight Bowl. The Pokes were not to be denied in that contest, taking out the Hoosiers in a 49-33 final.
Overall, it was a successful season in terms of finishing above .500 and reaching a bowl game, but there is still much work to be done if Oklahoma State is to really turn a corner and challenge for the Big 12 title.
2008 ANALYSIS:
OFFENSE: Talk about your balanced attacks, the Cowboys averaged identical figures in both passing and rushing at 243.2 ypg. The offensive unit is fortunate to have QB Zac Robinson back to hopefully improve upon the 2,824 yards, 23 TDs and only nine INTs he amassed last year. Not only a solid passer, Robinson is a gifted athlete who can also do plenty of damage with his legs as evidenced by the 847 yards and nine TDs he rushed for in '07. Gundy had high praise for his young field general recently saying, "Zac had a great season. There were only three players from what I understand that rushed for more than 800 yards and threw for over 2,800 yards, and one of them won the Heisman Trophy." He continued, "Zac is a good person. He's a good leader. He's been a tremendous player for us on and off the field. He's not concerned with individual statistics. He's more concerned with us winning football games."
Also helping the Pokes win games will be two of the top three pass catchers from last year in 6-2 sophomore WR Dez Bryant and 6-6 junior TE Brandon Pettigrew. White finished his rookie campaign with 43 grabs for 622 yards and six scores, while Pettigrew was a huge target in the middle of the field and wound up with 35 receptions for 540 yards and five TDs.
The run game took a hit with the loss of 1,200-yard rusher Dantrell Savage, but the hope is sophomore Kendall Hunter will surpass that effort, and he may very well do just that after rushing for nearly 700 yards and four TDs last year in a part-time role. Another guy who should see increased playing time is junior Keith Toston who at 6-1, 210 pounds would give the Cowboys a nice change of pace from the slick Hunter (5-8, 180 pounds). The return of three starters along the offensive line will help, four when you factor in Pettigrew, so the OSU offense could be poised for even greater things in 2008.
DEFENSE: While the offense was lighting up the scoreboard with regularity last season, the Oklahoma State defense was having a difficult time keeping the opposition from doing the same. In the end, the Pokes allowed nearly 30 points and 443 total yards per game, with their effort against the pass being particularly troubling (287.2 ypg). There will be four new starters among the front seven, meaning pressure on the QB might be an issue early on, leaving a beleaguered secondary to try and fend for itself. Fortunately, there is experience back there in the form of returning starters Perrish Cox, Jacob Lacey and Ricky Price. Price finished third on the team last year with 78 tackles, just three behind second-leading tackler, current LB Patrick Lavine. Lacey led the club with nine PBUs.
Despite the lackluster effort turned in by his defense last season, Gundy is optimistic in talking about this year's unit. "I'm very confident in our defense. We've brought in some defensive linemen to give us some depth. Couple of linebackers to give us more speed at that position."
SPECIAL TEAMS: Sophomore Dan Bailey is expected to take his game to the next level after serving as the team's part-time kicker in '07. He made just two of his four FG attempts with a long of only 28 yards. Senior Matt Fodge is back to handle the punting chores after averaging 42.4 ypp. Cox is one of the better return men in the country so overall, the special teams should be in pretty good shape.
OUTLOOK: The Pokes kick off the season with a trip to Seattle and a bout with Washington State, a game that could go either way at this point. Home dates with Houston, Missouri State and Troy follow as the team hones its skills for the Big 12 opener against visiting Texas A&M on October 4th. From there, it's anyone's guess as to how well the Cowboys will perform. There are winnable games out there but the prevailing thought is that Gundy's team will put points on the board, but may be hard-pressed to stop the opposition from doing the same.
