Ranking Oklahoma State’s 2024 Football Schedule From Easiest to Hardest

The Big 12 released Oklahoma State’s full 2024 schedule on Tuesday, and with almost seven months between now and the start of that schedule, all there is to do is look ahead.

With signing days and (most of) transfer portal chaos behind us, here’s a way-too-early ranking of OSU’s slate from the easiest game to what looks to be the hardest challenge ahead for the Cowboys.

First, here’s the 2024 schedule before we start ranking each game featured.

at Tulsa

You’ll eventually realize that I consider Boone Pickens Stadium a huge help for the Cowboys in games. Mike Gundy himself even credited the BPS atmosphere throughout the Cowboys’ winning streak last season, during which four of the five games were in Stillwater.

All that to say the easiest game on OSU’s schedule is a road game– sort of. There’s essentially no travel here only about 70 miles down 412. There may also be more orange than blue and gold inside Chapman Stadium that day.

As for the Golden Hurricane themselves, they went 4-8 last season under new coach Kevin Wilson. TU hasn’t beaten the Cowboys since 1998, with OSU winning the last nine meetings.

Difficulty Scale (1-10): 1

Arizona State

Although the Sun Devils are new to the Big 12, Arizona State and OSU have met the past two seasons thanks to a home-and-home series. The Cowboys were 2-0 in those meetings, outscoring ASU 61-32. And the Sun Devils should be better, but not that much better after a 3-9 campaign in 2023.

This will also be the date for America’s Greatest Homecoming. The Pokes have won seven of their past eight homecoming games.

Difficulty Scale (1-10): 3

Arkansas

The Razorbacks hail from the SEC. And that may be the only reason for any sort of worry.

Arkansas was 4-8 last season. The Razorbacks had a loaded schedule but did lose to BYU 38-31. They had only one conference win, over Florida in overtime, with their other three wins coming against Western Carolina, Kent State and Florida International.

This team will obviously have enough talent to not be overlooked, but considering it’s an SEC opponent from essentially down the road, Gundy & Co. won’t be looking ahead this week.

Difficulty Scale (1-10): 3

South Dakota State

Speaking of being or not being overlooked because of where you come from.

The Jackrabbits are defending back-to-back national champions at the FCS level season, going 29-1 the past two years. The only loss during that span was a 7-3 defensive battle against Iowa in Iowa City.

Whoever scheduled this one is probably on the first page of Gundy’s burn book. There’s nothing to gain here for the Pokes against an FCS opponent, and the Jackrabbits have nothing to lose and quite frankly may have forgotten how to lose.

Nonetheless, OSU knows the Jackrabbits history (and its own history against lesser opponents) just like we do, and talent and depth will eventually prevail. But expect to be uncomfortable in the first half.

Difficulty Scale (1-10): 3.5

West Virginia

The Mountaineers were supposed to be the worst team in the Big 12 last season but surprised many at 9-4 and saved Neal Brown’s job. WVU will probably be somewhere between 9-4 and terrible in 2024.

WVU has lost eight of the last nine against the Cowboys and also seem incapable of slowing down Ollie Gordon in two tries. Plus, it’s in BPS.

Difficulty Scale (1-10): 4

Texas Tech

The Red Raiders were supposed to be near the top of the Big 12 last season, and maybe this is the year. This was one of the toughest games to rank because of the unknown of just how good the Red Raiders will be.

Tech was 7-6 last season with a schedule that didn’t include OSU. The Red Raiders were a play away from upsetting Oregon and won four of their last five games, losing only to Texas during that span.

With these rankings being in early February, by October I may be wondering why I didn’t put this one near the bottom. However, it will be at BPS on Senior Day, in what could also be Ollie Gordon’s final game in Stillwater. All that plays in OSU’s favor and why it’s ranked in the easier half for now.

Difficulty Scale (1-10): 4

at Baylor

Another unknown like Texas Tech.

The Bears were 3-9 last season. However, Baylor went 2-7 in 2020 then won the Big 12 the next year. This game is also in Waco, where the Cowboys are 8-9 but have won the last two trips.

This could be a blowout in OSU’s favor whether it’s played in Waco or on the moon. Baylor could also wind up being good enough for this game to have Big 12 title game implications.

Difficulty Scale (1-10): 5

at TCU

Let’s not forget this is a program that played for a national title two years ago with the same coach still leading the way.

The Horned Frogs were 5-7 last season, a year after making the CFP. I’m not saying TCU will be national contenders again, but the Horned Frogs will definitely be better.

This game is also away from BPS in Fort Worth, where OSU hasn’t won since 2016 when Mason Rudolph was throwing to James Washington.

Difficulty Scale (1-10): 5

at BYU

At times I regret ranking a trip to Provo to be more difficult than going to Waco or Fort Worth, but my day job is as a geography teacher so I couldn’t get past the differences in traveling to Utah compared to just a state south.

The Cougars struggled last season but still took OSU to two overtimes in Stillwater. In 2024, the Cougars won’t have a long trip while the Cowboys journey west to a different time zone. BYU also has altitude and a hostile (but yet famously friendly) atmosphere playing in its favor.

Difficulty Scale (1-10): 6

Utah

Utah’s first Big 12 road trip will be to Stillwater.

This will be the Cowboys’ conference opener that starts a tough stretch of three games before a bye week. Although this game is early, it could wind up playing a big part in the race to Arlington.

The Utes were up and down last year after winning the Pac-12 the previous two seasons. Utah and OSU will most likely both be ranked for this matchup and maybe even undefeated. The Cowboys get this one at their place with the possibility of playing under the darkest sky in America, which is why this game is ranked just easier than the next two away games.

Difficulty Scale (1-10): 7

at Colorado

This seems to be the most exciting game on the schedule, and the Buffaloes could very well have a losing record by this point.

This will be the Cowboys’ regular-season finale and it will be on a Black Friday and it will be OSU’s first trip to the altitude of Boulder since 2008 and it will be Gundy vs. Prime. Whew.

Colorado was 4-8 last season after starting the Prime era 4-0. But the Buffaloes have the best transfer class in the country so who knows the turnaround possible by this point. No matter the record, though, with Colorado’s talent, everything surrounding this matchup and OSU’s knack for slipping up late, this is a dangerous game for the Pokes.

Difficulty Scale (1-10): 7.5

at Kansas State

The Cowboys were hammered 48-0 their last trip to Manhattan before Kansas State went on to win the Big 12 title.

Although early, with the recent history of these two programs, this matchup could have conference title impactions. OSU made the championship game last season, while K-State was in the hunt for a second straight appearance at 9-4. The Wildcats lost quarterback Will Howard to the transfer portal, but he was replaced by Avery Johnson, who Rivals deemed the top dual threat quarterback recruit in the 2023 class and one of the best prospects to ever commit to K-State. In his first collegiate start, Johnson accounted for three touchdowns while leading his team to a 28-19 win over No. 18 NC State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

To make matters worse, the Cowboys get the Wildcats the week after hosting Utah. The Pokes’ Big 12 and playoff fate could be sealed in their first two conference games after those matchups.

Difficulty Scale (1-10): 8