Top Three Questions For Oklahoma State Heading into Big 12 Media Days
Big 12 Media Days are right around the corner, which means the 2023 college football season is less than two months away.
The burning questions for every team are starting to build some momentum and at media days we will finally get the answers to some of those questions.
As each fanbase prepares itself for another season of Big 12 football, we’re here to help with the three biggest questions that each team is facing before heading to Arlington for Media Days on July 12-13.
With that being said, here are the three biggest questions that the Oklahoma State Cowboys are facing heading into 2023 Big 12 Football Media Days.
Will Oklahoma State’s Portal Haul Replace the Lost Production?
After a disappointing 7-6 year in 2022, Oklahoma State had a rush of 18 players enter the transfer portal, with several starters among them: QB Spencer Sanders, RB Dominic Richardson, LB Mason Cobb, DE Trace Ford, WR Jaul Paul Richardson, WR Stephon Johnson, WR Bryson Green, and CB Thomas Harper were among the biggest losses. Mike Gundy responded by adding 14 players from the portal, several of which are expected to be immediate contributors. Alan Bowman makes his return to the Big 12 and is expected to be the Pokes’ starter at quarterback, but there are several new faces at the skill positions around him, including WR Arland Bruce, WR De’Zhaun Stribling, RB Elijah Collins, and TE Josiah Johnson. Defensively, LB Justin Wright, EDGE Anthony Goodlow, and CB Kenneth Harris are expected to be contributors from Day 1. Can the new pieces offset Oklahoma State’s losses to the portal? That will be the big question in Stillwater leading up to the season.
Can the Offensive Line Improve in 2023?
One of Oklahoma State’s biggest issues in 2023 was the offensive line play, or lack thereof, down the stretch. However, the decline in play wasn’t necessarily a lack of talent in the trenches, but a rash of injuries running through the unit. Heading into 2023, the offensive line returns six players with starting experience and a combined 129 starts amongst them. Given that they can stay healthy this year, there’s plenty of reason to believe that Oklahoma State’s play up front will be much better in 2023. Preston Wilson will move from center to guard with Joe Michalski taking over in the middle. Jake Springfield returns at right tackle, while newcomer Dalton Cooper will take left tackle duties. Finally, Jason Brooks will also return at guard, giving the Pokes a solid group. With Alan Bowman able and willing to sling it all over the field, a good offensive line will be key in 2023. If they can keep him upright and open up holes for RB Ollie Gordon, it will be a resurgent year for the OSU offense.
What Will the Defense Look Like Under Bryan Nardo?
Oklahoma State will have its third defensive coordinator in three seasons in 2023, with former Gannon University (D-II) defensive coordinator Bryan Nardo taking the reins after Derek Mason resigned following the 2022 season. With Mike Gundy implementing a similar system under each of the last three coordinators, its reasonable to expect the same scheme from OSU in 2023, but what will it look like on the field? Every coach is different, which means the emphasis in practice will be focused on different things than it was a season ago. With Nardo coaching at the Division-I level for the first time, it’s reasonable to expect some bumps in the road along the way. Luckily, Mike Gundy has been in Stillwater for 19 seasons now and has seen it all. With a veteran like Gundy to lean on, Nardo will likely have space to grow as a coordinator at the Power Five level, but it won’t come without pressure. My advice would be to have some grace with this staff, but don’t expect any sort of drastic falloff. Joe Bob Clements is still in town as the Co-DC and LB coach, so things should look very similar.
