2009 College Football Predictions: Oklahoma State Cowboys

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This is a continuation of our series on our exclusive 2009 college football predictions.  Follow all of our 2009 college football predictions here (team by team) or here (by conference).

Oklahoma State Cowboys

2008 Record: (9-4, 5-3)
Coach: Mike Gundy, 4th year (27-23)
Off. Coordinator: Gunter Brewer (2nd year)
Def. Coordinator: Bill Young (1st year)
Returning Starters: 14 (8 offense, 6 defense, kicker)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Zac Robinson)

Offense: Mike Gundy returns eight starters to one of the most explosive offenses in the nation. They averaged 40.8ppg and 487.7 yards per game-all top ten numbers. Senior QB Zac Robinson (6-3, 218) threw for just over 3,000 yards and tossed for 25 touchdowns last year. He also rushed for 562 yards with eight scores and added 12 pounds of muscle during the offseason. At running back, junior Kendall Hunter returns after rushing for 1,555 yards. The receiving corps has a superstar in junior Dez Bryant (6-2, 215), who led the team with 87 catches for 1,480 yards and 19 TDs. He suffered a knee injury late last season but should be 100 percent to start the season. They could use more balance, but nobody could stop Bryant so Robinson kept throwing it to him. The Oklahoma State Cowboys will miss TE Brandon Pettigrew, who moved on to the NFL. Up front, LT Russell Okung (6-6, 305) is a senior All-Big 12 selection and has made 34 consecutive starters.

Defense: Here’s what separates them from the top two teams. The defense returns just six starters and only one in the secondary. Last season, the defense finished 109th against the pass and 93rd overall, as they allowed a whopping 405.5 yards per game. They have to get better and starts up front. New coordinator Bill Young will rely on a strong linebacker corps, which returns all three starters including senior Andre Sexton, who led the way with 100 tackles. They’ll need more out of senior DE Jeremiah Price (6-2, 260), who recorded three sacks last year. In the defensive backfield, senior Perrish Cox is the lone returning starter, but he’s a very good one and a future NFL player. Senior Terrance Anderson will be the key at the other corner spot after he showed some potential at nickel last year.

Outlook: Gundy has a chance to win 10 games with a team that starts out with four games at home (though one is Georgia). They do face Texas at home, but Oklahoma is on the road at the end of the season. There’s no reason why they can’t make things interesting down the stretch in the Big 12, if their defense can come together and at least be adequate.

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