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A History of Gundy Teams after Big Wins

A look at Gundy-coached teams and how they’ve handled winning marquee games.

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Folks are still buzzing in Stillwater following OSU’s signature 44-21 win over Boise State last Saturday. And while big wins mean a ton (that’s why they’re called big wins), how a team follows up those wins is even more important. They can signal the difference between a fun aberration and a turning point or launching pad for a program.

So let’s take a look at some of the biggest wins Oklahoma State has enjoyed under Mike Gundy and how his teams responded, for better or worse.

Okay, let’s jump in starting with the most recent on our list.

No. 5 TCU at No. 12 Oklahoma State (2015)

Why it was big: The Cardiac Cowboys had won several nail-biters on their way to 8-0, but it felt like the other shoe could drop at anytime. But it was all Cowboys this night. Trevone Boykin’s Heisman hopes dwindled interception by interception and the Pokes rolled past TCU to take its place at No. 5.

How OSU followed it up: The Cowboys would beat Iowa State in a comeback win in Ames a week later. Unfortunately, OSU finished 0-3 with losses to Baylor and Oklahoma at home (sans Rudolph) and then to an artificially constructed Ole Miss team in the Sugar Bowl.

Oklahoma State at No. 18 Oklahoma (Bedlam 2014)

Why it was big: In some ways, this was the biggest win during Gundy’s tenure. Leading into the game Oklahoma State was riding a five-game losing streak and things weren’t exactly rosy in Stillwater. Gundy was less than a joy with the media and was at odds with Mike Holder and Boone Pickens. Tensions were high.

On top of all of that, the three-score underdogs headed to Norman in danger of missing a bowl game for the first time since Gundy’s first year. Enter Mason Rudolph, Brandon Sheperd and Tyreek Hill. Thanks again, Bob.

How OSU followed it up: The Cowboys rode that Bedlam momentum into bowl season with a win over Washington in the Cactus Bowl, and then rode it to a fast start to 2015.

No. 3 Baylor at No. 11 Oklahoma State (2013)

Why it was big: Any time you welcome a top 5 team with plenty to play for yourself, it’s big. The No. 11 Cowboys had stumbled in Morgantown early but were 9-1 when the No. 3 Baylor Bears came to town on that frigid night.

Clint Chelf and a legit Cowboy defense toppled an undefeated Bryce Petty-led Bears team in dramatic fashion.

How OSU followed it up: Unfortunately, the Cowboys would miss out on their second Big 12 title in an even more dramatic (and gut-wrenching) Bedlam loss two weeks later, followed by a Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri.

No. 7 Oklahoma State at No. 8 Texas A&M (2011)

Why it was big: Take your pick of big games in 2011. Gundy’s first Bedlam win and Big 12 title-sealer, the Fiesta Bowl. Both enormous. But OSU’s last trip to College Station, in a top 10 matchup, is my pick for a couple of reasons.

We thought that 2011 team was going to be pretty good, but this 17-point comeback win served as a launching point for an historic run through the Big 12. Dave Hunziker called it “the greatest road win in Oklahoma State football history.”

How OSU followed it up: The Cowboys rattled off six-straight wins before stubbing their toe in Ames. ? (Oh, what could have been.) OSU finished the season 12-1 by besting Andrew Luck and David Shaw in the Fiesta Bowl.

No. 13 Georgia at No. 9 Oklahoma State (2009)

Why it was big: A top 15 season opener would be big in 2019, but it was huuuuuge in 2009. This was the first year under Gundy (and first since 2003) that OSU was even ranked heading into Week 1. And it was the first time ever that OSU was a preseason top 10 team. OSU started No. 9 in 2011 and No. 10 in 2017.

How OSU followed it up: Unfortunately, the then-No. 5 Cowboys would be upset by unranked Houston a week later. Dez would be done after Week 3, Zac Robinson would get hurt late and maybe one of the biggest what ifs during Gundy’s tenure would limp to a 9-4 finish.

No. 17 Oklahoma State at No. 3 Missouri (2008)

Why it was big: Apart from it being a ranked-on-ranked matchup, this win pushed OSU to 6-0 for the first time since 1997. A win against Baylor a week later would give the Pokes their best start since 1945.

How OSU followed it up: After that 7-0 start, the Cowboys would finish the season 3-4. But three of those losses came to No. 1 Texas, No. 2 Texas Tech and No. 3 Oklahoma.

No. 20 Nebraska at Oklahoma State (2006)

Why it was big: Beating Nebraska may not seem like such a big deal to some of our younger readers but it was huge in 2006. OSU had broken the series win drought of 41 years under Les Miles in 2002. But this was just the second OSU win over the Cornhuskers since 1961 and the second against a ranked opponent by the Cowboys under Gundy.

How OSU followed it up: The Pokes finished 2-3, with losses to No. 4 Texas and No. 13 Oklahoma before besting Bama in the Independence Bowl.

No. 13 Texas Tech at Oklahoma State (2005)

Why it was big: Oklahoma State was in the midst of an understandable rebuilding year during Gundy’s inaugural campaign. OSU started 3-0 but followed that with a five-game losing streak to start Big 12 play heading in

Mike Hamilton followed a 194-yard outing against Texas the week before with 161 rushing yards against Tech, which helped him set a freshman rushing record at OSU on his way to earning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.

Plus, this was Mike Gundy’s first conference win (he’s eyeing No. 70 this Saturday against the same team).

How OSU followed it up: The Cowboys would finish the year with road losses to Baylor and OU to cap a 4-7 campaign, the only losing season since Gundy took over.


No. 20 Boise State at Oklahoma State (2018)

Why it was big: This was the biggest nonconference matchup for the Pokes since their neutral site opener against No. 1 Florida State in 2014, and its biggest home out-of-conference tilt since that aforementioned 2009 opener against Georgia.

The Pokes figured out special teams and found a spark on defense, rolling the Broncos 44-21. Will this game prove to be just a nice win before conference play or a launch pad for another 10-win season?

How OSU followed it up: We’re about to find out.

 

 

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