Here are 12 Predictions For Oklahoma State’s 2016 Season

We are entering the last week or so of the preseason which means it’s time to start rolling out some predictions. Nate can never forgive me for predicting that Josh Cooper would have more receptions than Justin Blackmon back in 2011, and I admit I’ve made some bad ones over the years. But we’ve tried to have fun with it this time around. Three from each of us. Let’s go.

Kyle B.

1. Jarrell Owens will lead the team in sacks.

2. Dillon Stoner will finish the season as the second most productive freshman receiver in OSU history. In both TDs and receiving yards (Dez had 43 receptions for 622 yards and six TDs).

3. James Washington will be a Biletnikoff Award Finalist.

Sam Aldrich

1. Barry J. Sanders will not rush for 400 yards this season. The combination of a dynamite passing offense and a bevy of other competent running backs spells a letdown for Junior’s numbers in his only season in Stillwater. Chris Carson, Rennie Childs, and Jeff Carr return as viable backfield options, and freshman Justice Hill has been very impressive in camp thus far.

2. A freshman start at CB at some point in 2016. The aforementioned corners will struggle mightily against the dynamic QBs of the Big 12, and Glenn Spencer/Mike Gundy will be forced to roll with a younger, more athletic playmaker to start opposite Ashton Lampkin. One of the two impressive freshman corners, Rodarius Williams or Madre Harper, will step in and play a big role for the Cowboys secondary this year.

3. Stoner will have 25 catches and 3 touchdowns at the end of September. He has been flat out balling in fall camp, and looks to be well ahead of the typical freshman curve. Stoner will get some looks on the outside, but will settle in as a dynamite slot receiver and a trusted target for Mason Rudolph this season.

Thomas Fleming

1. Rennie Childs will finish the season with the most yards on the ground. Then Barry J., then Carson. Carson begins as the starter, and then Child’s outperforms him and takes the starting job.

2. The OSU defense will once again finish top 20 in turnover margin. Mostly because they rarely turn the ball over. Rudolph & Co. will be one of the best teams in the country when it comes to holding onto the ball.

3. Vincent Taylor will be an All American. And Jarrell Owens will go into 2017 as one of the conference’s best defensive ends. Brailford also proves himself as a competent No. 2 man to Owens’ ability.

Kyle P.

1. Rudolph will join the 4,000 yard club. Only Brandon Weeden has ever touched 4K passing yards in a single season as OSU’s QB. He did it twice (and nearly got to 5,000). Rudolph was on pace last year but came up a little short after his injury in the Baylor game. I’m all in on Rudolph this season. All in. 

2. Jeff Carr will finish with more TDs than any of the 394 other running backs. I’m not convinced Carr is going to line up in the backfield as often as his colleagues, but OSU will definitely use him in a variety of ways. I think he’s going to be McCleskey Lite this season and have all kinds of opportunities to score.

3. Tre Flowers will lead the team in INT with four. Last year there was a seven-way tie for the INT title as Flowers, Jordan Sterns, Chad Whitener, Seth Jacobs, Devante Averette, Michael Hunter and Ramon Richards all had two. This year, teams will throw away from Sterns more and Flowers will get plenty of opportunities.