Home and Away, OSU Has Been Stellar in Season-Openers Under Mike Gundy

Mike Gundy is 13-2 in season-openers at Oklahoma State. Those 13 wins have come, on average, by a margin of 32 points.

32 points!

I thought OSU opening as a 21-point favorite over Tulsa in Week 1 was a bit high, but it turns after some digging that perhaps I underestimated just how dominant his teams have been to start the seasons. (Of course, beating Savannah State into becoming Savannah Suburb definitely helps that final average!)

Here’s a look at how Gundy’s team’s have fared in openers since he took over in 2005.

A win against Tulsa would tie for the longest streak of season-opening wins under Gundy, with the previous record of six coming in a span from 2008 to 2013. The streak restarted in 2015 after a gap year following a close loss in 2014 to Florida State.

Playing the Central Michigans and Missouri States of the world don’t hurt that season-opening record, either. But 13-2 is 13-2. Losing only to Georgia and Florida State in openers since 2005 is a badge of honor (and that FSU game was a total toss-up that could easily have gone OSU’s way).

Tulsa has a talented team led by returning QB Zach Smith and star receiver Keylon Stokes Sr. that could potentially disrupt a dominant stretch for OSU to start the season, but recent history — including against Tulsa — says Gundy will have his team hyped and ready to start the season with a statement.