The Oklahoma State Cowboys had a solid 2012 season as they tried to rebuild after losing star players like Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon. However, rebuilding time is over. This is a team that is built to win now. The Cowboys are one of the favorites to win the Big 12 and Vegas Odds have them at 40-1 to win the 2014 BCS National Title.
Mike Gundy has built a wonderfully steady program. OSU took the field in 2012 without its most decorated player ever (two-time Biletnikoff winner Justin Blackmon) and its most successful quarterback ever (Brandon Weeden) but still ranked in the top 15, prevented only by three tight losses from reaching double-digit wins for the third straight year. The offense has survived multiple coordinator changes, and Gundy places as much pure speed on the field as any Big 12 team this side of Waco.
Offensively the Cowboys return Josh Stewart and a loaded receiving corps returning, so the passing numbers will be there once again. However, it’s the storyline of the offseason and it could carry over deep into the year if the Cowboys don’t get off to a hot start. Wes Lunt got the starting job as a true freshman, and he had the most talent and the biggest upside before choosing to transfer - he was hurt throughout his first year after being banged up too much in high school. J.W. Walsh is a dangerous runner with good all-around skills, and Clint Chelf is the fighter with senior leadership and proven production late. No matter what happens, there will be a controversy.
New defensive coordinator (and current and former linebackers coach) Glenn Spencer has promised a more aggressive style of play, complete with attacking, blitzing defense. He certainly has some potentially exciting personnel for this, with four returning linebackers who logged at least 4.5 tackles for loss in 2012 and a nice pair of tackles in Calvin Barnett and James Castleman. The end position is quite green, but there is a lot of speed here.
OSU is not a threat to go undefeated by any means, but the combination of schedule and experience should get them very far in the Big 12 title race. What Mike Gundy lacks in tact, he makes up for with prowess, and for the fourth straight year he will likely be at the reins of a top 15 team.
BCS odds: 40 to 1 ($100 wins $4,000)
Tied for 9th best odds (Alabama favored at 3 to 1)
Big 12 Conference Title odds: 2.5 to 1 ($100 wins $250)
Tied 2nd best odds (Texas is favored to win the Big 12 Conference at 2 to 1)
The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas has released individual game spread lines for Oklahoma State's games this season.
August 31st
Mississippi St. at Oklahoma St. (-14) in Houston
September 28th
Oklahoma St. (-11) at West Virginia
October 5th
Kansas St. at Oklahoma St. (-9)
October 19th
TCU at Oklahoma St. (-10)
October 16th
Oklahoma St. (-14) at Iowa St.
November 9th
Kansas at Oklahoma St. (-29)
November 16th
Oklahoma St. (+6.5) at Texas
November 23rd
Baylor at Oklahoma St. (-11)
December 27th
Oklahoma at Oklahoma St. (-3)
-$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
March Marco Contest is back. FREE to Enter!!! CLICK TO ENTER
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for MLB Season with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!
College Football Win Totals: Syracuse Orange
What college football bettors need to know about betting a win total on the Syracuse Orangemen - a free pick from Pregame.com's Marco D'Angelo, with Ken Thomson.