A Roundup of Where Oklahoma State is Ranked Around the Country

Oklahoma State has been ranked in the top 10 by the Associated Press and No. 11 in the Coaches Poll, but are those two outliers nationally? It doesn’t look that way as the Pokes’ average ranking across all non-computer generated rankings systems has gone from 12.4 in January to 11 in August.

Here is a roundup of what some outlets are saying about the Pokes heading into what could be a banner year in the Mike Gundy era. I’ve included a matrix of all the preseason rankings I could find at the bottom. Most outlets did a too-early poll, but some haven’t released a preseason poll.

Who was the last mullet-wearing coach to raise the national championship trophy? Mike Gundy turns 50 on Aug. 12, and he’s having more fun than ever as he brings back what could be his best Pokes team. Quarterback Mason Rudolph and wide receiver James Washington lead a dynamic passing attack, and Justice Hill provides balance in the run game. Oklahoma State hosts Bedlam and faces a more manageable non-league slate than Oklahoma or Texas. [ESPN]

The connection between Mason Rudolph and James Washington will be key for the Cowboys’ Big 12 championship hopes, and it’s worth knowing the Bedlam Game against Oklahoma will be bumped up to Nov. 4. Expectations are high for the Cowboys, and they can meet those if the defense can take a few more steps forward after allowing 26.5 points per game in 2016. [Sporting News]

This is a mix of recruiting powerhouses (Auburn, LSU, Michigan), recent successes (Washington, Penn State), and teams with elite units and players but severe questions on one side of the ball (OSU, Louisville). With a couple of breakout stars or a healthy two-deep, any one of them can be a contender in mid-November. [SB Nation]

A good-but-not-great Pitt (Sept. 16) is the Cowboys’ most challenging non–Big 12 matchup. That’s not to say Oklahoma State needs to be perfect; a loss to a ranked conference foe might not doom the Pokes, should they go on to win the title showdown. [Sports Illustrated]

The big-play connection of quarterback Mason Rudolph to wide receiver James Washington is more than enough to keep Oklahoma State in the hunt for the Big 12 title next year. The Cowboys also return promising running back Justice Hill (1,142 yards), and there’s optimism the offensive line will continue to improve behind guard Marcus Keyes and tackle Zach Crabtree. The post-spring addition of Cal graduate transfer Aaron Cochran was a huge boost for coach Mike Gundy’s offensive line. Washington has plenty of support at receiver.

Jalen McCleskey returns after leading the team with 73 catches, Marcell Ateman returns from injury, and LSU transfer Tyron Johnson is eligible in 2017. This is the nation’s No. 1 receiving corps. The early departure of tackle Vincent Taylor was a setback for a unit already losing cornerback Ashton Lampkin, linebacker Jordan Burton and safety Jordan Sterns. Gundy also dipped into the graduate transfer ranks on defense, landing former Clemson cornerback Adrian Baker after spring ball. After finishing second in the conference in back-to-back years, the mission for 2017 is pretty simple: Win the Big 12. To do that, the Cowboys have to navigate road trips to Texas and West Virginia but host rival Oklahoma on Nov. 4. [Athlon]

Here is a full look at the rankings compared to how they looked in everyone’s way-too-early-for-2017 polls back in January.

Note: We will update the rankings as the preseason polls from national publications are released in the coming days.