Top 25 Roundup: OSU Getting Plenty of Love in the Preseason Polls

Dean G. Acheson once said, “Always remember that the future comes one day at a time.”

With each of those days that come, we edge slowly closer to my favorite time of year — college football season. So while we count off those days — 122 left at the time of this posting — let’s check in with college football’s soothsayers and see how Oklahoma State looks in their crystal ball.

Here’s where OSU lands in several of the top “way-too-early” preseason polls.

ESPN – No. 6

The self-declared leader in sports media appears to also be the worldwide leader in high expectations for those that wear orange. They have the Cowboys at No. 6, behind only Ohio State, Florida State, Alabama, USC and Penn State. Sorry, Oklahoma but you’ve been supplanted in the imaginary and the hypothetical thanks to a couple of grad transfers.

With quarterback Mason Rudolph and wide receiver James Washington deciding to return for their senior seasons, the Cowboys already looked primed to challenge rival Oklahoma for a Big 12 title. Then the Pokes added two graduate transfers — Clemson cornerback Adrian Baker and Cal left tackle Aaron Cochran — who might be able to help right away.

Much of the buzz this spring focused on former LSU receiver Tyron Johnson, who sat out last season under NCAA transfer rules, and now appears ready to be another weapon. Of course, if the Cowboys are going to win their first Big 12 championship since 2011, they’ll probably have to beat the Sooners in the Bedlam Series, which they’ve done only twice since 2003. [ESPN]

While many will scoff at the idea, OU does have a lot of questions to answer on both sides of the ball. Unfortunately for the rest of the Big 12, they normally find answers pretty quickly.

Sporting News – No. 16

The Sporting News is not quite as high on the Pokes but they recognize the top returning QB-receiver duo in the nation and their importance to Oklahoma State’s Big 12 title chances.

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]

Fox Sports – No. 10

Stewart Mandel lauds the 2017 Cowboys as potentially the best since 2011 and credits the experience behind center and the stacked receiving corps for OSU’s top-10 ranking. Hopefully, the defense can be good enough to keep teams at bay.

This should be Mike Gundy’s best team since his 12-1 2011 squad. Veteran QB Mason Rudolph and a stacked receiving corps led by James Washington should light up the scoreboard. LSU transfer WR Tyron Johnson impressed coaches this spring. The Cowboys won’t be dominant defensively but possibly better than years past. Clemson grad transfer CB Adrian Baker could add valuable experience to the secondary. [Fox Sports]

ProFootballFocus – No. 11

The good people at PFF came out with their preseason poll directly following the end of the the 2016-17 season but the only thing that can really change between now and then is an opinion and they normally know what they’re talking about.

If a team has a good quarterback, it will always have a chance, and that’s precisely the case with Oklahoma State, who welcome back QB Mason Rudolph for his final season. Rudolph finished 2016 with a 92.3 overall grade, and a 90.0 passing grade, both marks ranked second among quarterbacks. Rudolph has shown good progression throughout his time in Stillwater, he posted a 69.0 grade in limited action as a true freshman, then an 86.4 grade in his first full season as a starter in 2015. The Cowboys he takes yet another step forward in 2017, to make them a legitimate playoff contender. [ProFootballFocus]

Athlon Sports – No. 11

What is sometimes forgotten is the budding superstar in Justice Hill that returns this fall. The competition for his backup will likely span deep into fall camp but with their ability to spread it out, Rudolph and Co. should open up some nice lanes for the young tailback.

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. 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. [Athlon Sports]

Sports Illustrated – No. 12

Short and sweet but to the point. Oklahoma State will be able to score and that’s half the battle.

The Mason Rudolph-to-James Washington connection will be used frequently in 2017, and the Cowboys should have a strong ground game with running back Justice Hill returning, too. Sports Illustrated