Oklahoma State was a poor performance at Iowa State away from a BCS National Championship Game appearance last season, but it had to settle for a Fiesta Bowl showdown with Stanford instead. The Cowboys beat the Cardinal 41-38 in overtime to finish the season with a 12-1 record. Several big name off-season departures have many calling for a different win total this season. However, Oklahoma State 2012 College Football Predictions are still optimistic with the Over 8 wins favored at -175 odds ($175 to win $100). The Cowboys are also a fourth pick to win the Big 12, drawing +800 odds to retain its conference title. 2013 BCS Odds have the school listed as a +15000 play to win the national championship.

The Cowboys saddled up the dynamic duo of Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon the last two seasons and rode the pair to a 23-3 record. Unfortunately for the school, both of those players, along with 10 other starters from last year’s near perfect team, moved on at season’s end.

Oklahoma State Head Coach Mike Gundy has done an excellent job of stocking the team with talent, though, which means the football program is at a point where it can absorb the losses of high profile players like Weeden and Blackmon.

The Pokes, who debuted at No. 19 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, are set to start a true freshman quarterback in Wes Lunt, but he will not be required to shoulder the entire offensive load. Running back Joseph Randle, who tallied 1216 yards and 24 rushing touchdowns last season, is back and Lunt has several capable targets at receiver, including Tracy Moore, Blake Jackson Jr., and Isaiah Anderson.

Defensively, coordinator Bill Young has, perhaps, his most talented group since he returned to Oklahoma State in 2009. Eight starters made their way back to Stillwater, including top tacklers Daytawion Lowe and Alex Elkins.

Looking for a dark horse candidate to win the Big 12? Last year’s champion is not a bad place to start.

Oklahoma State 2012 College Football Predictions and 2013 BCS Odds

Odds to win the BCS National Championship +15000 ($100 to win $15000)
Odds to win 2012 Big 12 +800 ($100 to win $800)
Regular Season Wins – Over 8 wins (-175), Under 8 wins (+135)

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