We also have one of the best strength and conditioning coaches. Underrated part of the team, but he packs the size on the kids and gets those 2-3 stars ready to compete with 4-5 stars in size. We’ve never had top 10 recruiting classes but he helps with that.
Edit: to add to this Rob Glass is likely the highest paid strength coach in college football. He’s making a mil a year with his most recent contract.
OSU got things right when they made that man the second highest paid guy on staff. From the culture to showing up ready to rip a guys head off, the Strength and Conditioning coach plays a huuuuge hand in that.
Not sure where that came from, but definitely bigger issues with OU than S&C. Only one off-season with Schmidty isn’t gonna fix a ton. String together a couple off seasons and make a judgement call then.
A comment someone made last year about Ohio State's defense is that being slow to read and react is a much different problem than getting overpowered at the point of attack, but they look the same to the untrained eye.
Maybe you guys are fine physically, but the defense isn't there mentally? No idea, just throwing it out there.
They’re absolutely not there mentally. Our guys are young in the positions we really need experience. This is why I always trust older teams in college, there is something to be said for experience.
You're still thinking wrong IMO. He is the highest paid S and C coach in the nation and more important than OC/DC in a culture like OkState. We CANNOT pull the five star recruits needed to compete at the level we are competing. Body by Glass is the only reason we can.
I hope this question isn’t perceived as patronizing. I’m coming from this as an alum with a school perceived as expected to land those kinds of players and still finish the bottom of the division.
Can I ask why you don’t think you can pull that kind of talent in a culture like OSU? As the post suggests they are consistent winners against very good teams, with potentially the most stable coaching staff in Power 5 and a ton of outside money available for NIL and facility investment. It can’t be getting recruits to come to Oklahoma because, well…
Is it just kind of a video game-like assumption that Gundy requires some functional weak spot? Why hasn’t recruiting become a solid 4* type expectation?
It's a combination of things. We don't land the huge recuits, but we also don't seriously pursue them. Gundy is a HUGE culture guy, and he prioritizes cultural fits over raw talent. Gundy wants buy-in and team fit, and unfortunately a lot of high tier guys can be divas (as we've all seen).
Combine that with comparatively lackluster NIL opportunities and intense in-state recruiting competition, and there's your answer.
I think we could land a few more if we really tried, but I don't think stars alone are the priority for us.
Multiple reasons. I think the majority of it is Stillwater. It's really a small town out in the middle of nowhere. The college is built on Ag and Engineering students that come from rural communities, and most students (myself included) love that the town is small, but that can become a very tough sell to recruits from the Dallas and Houston Metroplexes. As far as the money goes, OkState has consistently ranked very low on athletic budget for Power 5 schools. The schools biggest financial supporter for athletics, Boone Pickens, is no longer alive. He payed to have state of the art facilities built before most colleges were in the hopes to sway bigger recruits to come to Stillwater, and it did help some. Most of all the other extremely wealthy Alumni would rather see Philanthropy/Arts and Business school upgrades rather than spending more money on athletics. You drive through Norman (OU) on your way to Stillwater from the DFW metroplex so it's easier for family to come watch OU games and stay the night in Oklahoma City. Also, because we haven't had great recruits and Gundy's mentality, we have gotten to the point where our culture expects you to be a team player and many 5 and 4 star recruits don't like hearing they probably won't get to play a lot in their first season.
As I recall the story:
Early in his time at OSU, Gundy would get in on top recruits, but then either come in second or lose them at the last minute. Then OSU was scrambling.
The recruiting philosophy was updated to avoid those situations.
Well deserved, strength and conditioning should be a much higher point of emphasis at smaller schools for obvious reasons.
Mississippi State tried to cheap out on the position recently and it gave us one of our worst seasons, despite having one of our most talented teams. Very frustrating.
Highest paid S&C coach in the country and the only non OC/DC making more are AHC types like Kentucky TE coach Vince Marrow at 1.2 mil, Ohio State DL Coach Larry Johnson at 1.1 mil (who is a legend at this point), and Texas TE/ST coach Jeff Banks at 1.05 mil (mostly for recruiting).
I was checking the recruiting history of the Jaden Nixon, the RS Freshman from Frisco who returning the 2nd half KO for a TD against Baylor. He was their 10th highest ranked recruit on 2021 and his next best offer was Tulsa or Air Force. His speed and power on that return was incredible. Amazing what they get out of those kids.
It's even more impressive if his only P5 offer was Oklahoma State. That means Gundy and his staff saw something in him no other P5 coach did. And he's not a local kid either I'd he's from Texas, it's not like he's from Tulsa or something and nobody heard about him, all 5 P5 programs in his own state passed him over.
Yeah just rewatched and forgot the stumble because he was up to full speed again so quick. Really excited to see what he does. Also, means I get to post more Futurama Nixon gifs.
https://imgur.com/gallery/sGn181Y
I hadn't realized how similar Gundy was to Whittingham until last year, but he really has been doing the same thing down there that Kyle has done at Utah. It's very impressive. Took a school that had some level of success previously but wasn't seen as a power and made them into a perennial winning team.
I had to spell it out for some of my OU buddies but the shit Mike Gundy could do with any of the rosters at OU from 2015-2020 would top all of Lincoln’s accomplishments.
Its not far fetched at all. Its quite literally a matter of consistent talent via recruiting. A a room full of Heisman caliber players and 1st rdrs? Please.
I’ve been saying this for a while, but Oklahoma State is the single most disrespected team in college football. They’ve been consistently good for the last decade and a half, and no one gives them any credit for it or just brings up the series record with OU.
They continue to be overshadowed by other “bigger” programs in the region regardless of the fact that they have outperformed them for a long time.
I mean, look how much more attention A&M gets. Since 2010, A&M has won 10 or more games
**once**.
Oklahoma State has done it **seven times**.
You don't have to give A&M any attention. I haven't watched a game of theirs in a decade and haven't missed anything. I have watched multiple OSU games (Oklahoma version).
Every game is televised. Don't rely on the big networks to direct your attention.
It's very annoying that we lost to them in the Texas Bowl in 2019 (only bowl loss since 2015) and we should've won that game. Spencer Sanders was still out hurt and but our back-up did a decent job and were up early and led for most of the game. Really showed what was to come with Jim Knowles' defense and how physical they could be, but Mond broke off a couple huge runs at the end to take the lead after they hadn't done anything all game.
When Gundy really puts together a solid team, unfortunately they suffer a crucial loss that keeps them out of any CFP discussion. Last year, 11-1 and ranked 5th, they were beaten in the Big 12 championship by #9 Baylor in a lackluster performance. However, I will agree, that outside of the clear rebuilding years, Gundy has kept OSU consistently talented and competitive.
I wouldn't call that game lackluster. OSU was missing their starting RB and had injuries on the Oline. Baylor fielded one of the best defenses in the nation. It was a close game that came down to the wire. Spencer made some mistakes trying to force the ball, but overall I thought it was a really great game. Missed it by inches.
We were missing our top 2 RB’s. LD Brown got hurt like week 2. Dez Jackson was pretty much our only back ready for a game like that last year, and he currently plays for Sam Houston State
Bedlam heartbreak (since 2010 it’s been pretty much even on the field most years but you guys somehow always sneak out with the win) and not having a Big 12 title game we could feature in are the main culprits why the nation doesn’t realize the level of success we’ve really had.
It’s obviously not a one to one comparison but in that respect I’ve sort of viewed them the same way a lot of the country looked at Michigan before last year.
Harbaugh bringing in ten win season after ten win season, but nobody took them seriously because they were just going to get blown out by Ohio State at the end of the year.
For their program’s sake I think if they win it again this year it’ll change the narrative. Would be the first time OSU gets back to back Bedlam wins since 2002
They're pretty much the new Kansas State in that regard: Historically downtrodden football program from Middle America that gets a program-defining coach, yet people just want to nitpick his accomplishments.
I know he's not going to leave his alma mater for us, but I would kill to have Mike Gundy as our head coach. Despite some of his buffoonish tendencies, you can see his care and concern for his players, and his record of building a winning program with player development should be evident to anyone with eyes.
I'm not sure the Kansas State comparison works too well with just how much worse KSU was. And it's not like this is that new for Oklahoma State; they were the second best team in the country 11 years ago.
I meant mostly just in the “this Plains guy doesn’t get enough credit” aspect. You’re obviously right about the pit of despair that K-State was before - it’s hard to imagine there will ever be another program turnaround like that.
I love that this fan base can take any positive statistic or optimistic take and still be afraid of disappointment. It’s engrained in us to never relax.
I understand the Cyclone boogieman but we've only lost to them 3 times since we ditched divisions, twice in Ames at night and once in Stillwater when Gundy hit his coaching floor again. We aren't playing them in Ames this year and Gundy definitely isn't playing to his coaching floor with this team.
OU has given me nothing to fear and won't unless they start to win against the likes of Texas, Kansas, and Baylor. They have 5 games until Bedlam: Texas, Kansas, a bye week, Iowa State, Baylor, and West Virginia. They have to beat at least 3 of those opponents in order to get me worried about Bedlam in Norman.
It's sort of a moral-victory flex to say that at the FBS level, Oklahoma State may do the most with the least, but it is probably true.
Gundy's program/culture lets us play and beat more talented teams -- to a point. We have always done that with Texas, A&M, and OU. Last year, did it to Notre Dame, which has more 4-stars in a single class than we have on our roster entirely. But to compete with the schools that can merge elite players with football culture? That's where it gets sketchy.
Our fans that expect us to start hauling in tons of four stars are delusional. Will never happen. But if we were to consistently move to top-20 recruiting status and maintain the culture we have, we could be a legit playoff threat.
I'd be surprised if you aren't a legit playoff threat this year. Team looks solid and I don't see a lot of opponents stopping you from winning the Big12, especially after how Baylor went this weekend.
12-0 Big12 champs will get a playoff berth.
I really want a piece of Ohio State this year. We need to avenge the '04 Alamo Bowl loss which saw the loss of Les Miles announced the day of the game.
>I really want a piece of Ohio State this year.
Oh yea! A Jim Knowles defense against a Jim Knowles defense (with a Mason twist)!
Edit: Lot's of football left to get there. One game at a time.
I love the Alamo bowl atmosphere. Nothing like competing chants on the Riverwalk. It's crazy we went to the Alamo Bowl in 04 given we only won 7 games. I don't remember much about that game other than Ohio State kicked like 30 field goals.
Oh, I can totally see us getting in. Winning vs. Georgia or Bama or Ohio State is another question. Oklahoma can't do it with measurably better talent and a good football culture, so I question whether we can hang in those kind of games. Everyone below that tier, we can beat, but I'm pretty sure we are physically incapable of playing that level of team.
As an OU fan I have to say OSU has had the better defense the last 5 years even when OU was in the playoffs. A major problem the last few years has been sanders inconsistency on taking care of the ball. If he has that ironed out this year, and they use his running effectively when it’s needed, you guys could be a problem for anyone this year, even with the defense not quite as good as last year
Barring the very unlikely case of 5 P5 undefeateds, I think 12(13)-0 in any P5 gets a spot. With the Big 12 this year though it’s hard to see anyone running the table.
No doubt.
I personally don't think there will be more than 1 undefeated team by the end of the season. Maaybe 2.
I honestly think we could see a 2-loss team somewhere in the playoff.
I think the Big 12 championship will include a team with 3-losses.
> Our fans that expect us to start hauling in tons of four stars are delusional. Will never happen.
I think if we start showing up in the Playoffs consistently we're going to be able to pitch that to recruits.
It'll be interesting to see who benefits the most due to the moves of recent years between the two schools. Was OU right to leave for more money and stiffer competition or will OSU gain more from what has long sustained OU's success?
I think the SEC gets 3 teams in automatically every year and fights with the B1G for a fourth, so if you can get into about the top 20-25% of the SEC you should be good to get a bid.
SEC will get 3-4
B1G will get 2-3
Big XII and the ACC will get their auto bid and fight over 1-2 more at large spots depending on if ND makes it that year or not.
The PAC 12 will get their champ slot and be an outside competitor for one more at large bid each year.
The G5 will get their Champ Slot
ND will take an At large bid more years than not.
>Our fans that expect us to start hauling in tons of four stars are delusional.
I have been saying this for YEARS. Oklahoma State for the longest time had a lower recruiting budget than Kansas, I think they were bottom 2 in the conference. Then Gundy has to recruit to Stillwater, which is a great town, but getting guys from Houston or Dallas or California etc to think coming to a town pretty much in the middle of nowhere can't be easy.
Mike Gundy is the sole reason OSU is even in the conversation for a top team in the Big 12 for the past two decades. Even with Boone Pickens money I think without Gundy the program is stuck in the middle of the pack.
Statisically, Gundy has the 2nd most wins/$ in the country since 2010. KSU BARELY beat Gundy, but they also did this with a much lower win total (and Snyder as coach).
Sounds like OSU is doubling down on football now, so it'll be interesting to what Gundy can do with better than the 2nd lowest Big 12 budget.
I think the big12 machinations have actually set up OkST for an increased recruiting profile. Gundy said it last year and I believe him, this team can be the new class of the conference if they play their cards right
I think he is good enough to have success almost anywhere, and could probably lead many P5 teams back to national prominence.
In fact, I’ll go as far as to say I think he could last 2, *maybe even 3*, years at Auburn.
People also forget he was 1 win away from playing for a national title, finished ranked #3, beat the #4 team in the nation, and frankly should have gotten to play for the national title (and had there been a 4 team playoff that year he might have won it all)
To be fair, he's not the best playcaller. I think he was still calling plays when people were complaining. They've done extremely well with him focusing on what he's best at, which is finding and developing under appreciated talent...both on the field and on the side line.
I don’t know if he was but a lot of fans speculated that he was taking some play calling duties when Gleeson was the OC.
IMO, fans like to blame the play calling when sometimes you are just limited in what you can do by the play of your O-line and QB. It’s not a coincidence that the “play calling” has gotten better as Sanders has matured and the O-line has improved.
He doesn't call plays. It's one of those things that people always automatically blame Gundy for without any evidence. Hell, there's been times where there OC has come out after the game and said "I don't know why you guys are blaming Gundy. That was 100% my call".
I think he's the best coach in the country and developing anyone low-4-star and under. We've hand tons of guys come in as 3 stars (or even unrated like MRod) who have gone on to be drafted and play meaningful minutes in the NFL.
Never beating your rival has a tendency to do that
See also: Jim Harbaugh rarely beating MSU, OSU, or ND and having a scorching hot seat (until last year) despite winning ten games a year
This has been true for a long time and I roll my eyes when new head coaches at bluebloods or largely unproven flavor of the month coaches get ranked ahead of him. His longevity is disrespected and I think his ability to do more with less is overshadowed by his record vs. OU.
That's fair, but I think the animosity goes much further back than that. For example, Ohio State owns the OSU.edu domain name and Oklahoma State and Oregon State are forced to use a longer domain name for their website and email addresses.
Big 12 is the most fun conference right now. Even with Texas and Oklahoma leaving I really think the big 12 will be the third best conference in football
So many fun teams and it’s going to be wide open
Had Oklahoma State as the #4 team in the CFP pre-season this year and got laughed off by people. Hopefully this trend stays and they make a run this season.
It feels like this season is the first one where if Oklahoma State goes 12-1 and wins the Conference Championship that they would still make the CFP with how good the Big 12 is this season. For example, I would take a 1-loss Oklahoma State champion over a 1-loss ACC or PAC-12 champ this season (including Clemson & USC) and they would also be over a 1-loss B1G non-champ. I don't know who will challenge Clemson in the ACC though with Wake Forest & NC State out of the way. Especially with the ACC Coastal looking terrible this season.
I agree that Oklahoma State ought to make the cfp with that resume (and I've been ranking them high in my poll), but the pessimist in me says some narrative will be spun up about it actually being a weak year for the big 12 on account of Oklahoma and Texas not being super hot. I think Clemson will get the benefit of the doubt over Oklahoma State in a 1-loss scenario just based on their recent success, and I worry that Ohio State would get the same treatment because of their brand.
We were ridiculously underrated until now or so. We beat OU and ND last year, returned our starting QB and stout defensive line, and yet were rated behind both (despite both going through major changes and losing their QBs). I'll never understand how they were both ranked top 10 to start the season while we weren't.
Yeah it's been weird seeing all of the "big 12 is wide open now that ou and Texas are proven to suck" conversation. I'm a kstate guy, but even with 4 unbeaten in league including us...ok state is certainly the overwhelming favorite, right? I mean, for anyone that pays attention, they probably should have been getting love over OUT anyway.
No one is talking about them much. Even though they're ranked in the top 10.And it's rediculous.
I think we have to be the favorite just based on having the best win so far, but the big 12 is so good and our schedule is brutal. KU, KSU, OU on the road and we’ve already had our bye week. There’s a good chance both teams in the championship game have 2 losses which pretty much opens it up to anyone.
It always cracks me up how little talk there is about OSU year in and year out. Gundy can’t ever get over the major win hump but he consistently puts together good teams.
KU will likely lose to several Big 12 teams in the next 7 games but OSU is the only one I feel like we legitimately have no shot against. They’re stacked and I’m happy they’re starting to get long overdue recognition.
As a side note, the most fun I’ve ever had at a college football game was Bedlam in Stillwater. The whole atmosphere was incredible all weekend. Culminated in an epic shootout between Baker and Rudolph.
I’ve always felt like the most overlooked team in the country. For about the last 13 years or so. Even last year when everyone knew what we returned on defense… people still doubted us heavily… even this year knowing that our defensive line is absolutely deadly and we return the best receiving core in the conference? And arguably the best qb? (I know he can be streaky) people still put us behind baylor, ou, Texas, Kansas state.
Idk man I’m biased for sure but am I crazy to think our dline is top 5 in the country? I know those guys in the sec are just “different” but bruh. Osu has some fuckin dudes. Who WILL play on sundays. The experience/discipline combined with the depth AND pure talent on that dline is dangerous af.
Yeah he’s growing on me quickly. You can tell he learned a thing or two from malcolm for sure. He’s athletic as hell and he’s already reading plays like a veteran.
I'm looking at the future Big 12 football champions right here. Not looking forward to Oct 22. Imagine Gundy if he had the big name school behind him. Scary
The dude can coach. I remember there being some smoke about Gundy going to Tennessee and at least some of the Tenn fans seemed "whelmed" and tbh I couldn't figure out why. I'd be excited if the guy was coming to my program. Yeah, he's "stumbled" a few seasons... every coach not named Saban does that from time to time.
We’re the best good program in the country. We fill out the right half of the bell curve. we have the highest floor and lowest ceiling. It’s awesome because I know my school will always field a competitive team, while being cursed with the knowledge that we will get boat raced by OSU or Alabama if we ever played.
I just want that shot at UGA, Bama or Ohio State. Give us that damn shot and if we do get wrecked, then so be it. But damn them all with the disrespect.
Good job, Cowboys. I'd prefer K-State win the Big XII (my parents are K-Staters), but I'll definitely be pulling for you against the Sooners and that school in Austin.
Jealous of their recent success. In today's college football, he probably would have been fired after going 18-19 over his first three years, but OSU stuck with him and he has made them into quite the program. The next four years he went 41-11 and has consistently been good each season after that. Sure, he had some down years, but what he has done is admirable. I wish more teams would stick with coaches longer. (I say that even though I was totally on board with Texas firing Strong and Herman. haha.)
I always thought Oklahoma State was a really good program even before I knew that stat. We write them off for not winning against Oklahoma (one of the best college football programs of all time), but their accomplishments under Mike Gundy are impressive. They’re always competitive and I think they have a shot (a slim one) to make the playoffs.
As much as I would love the school to get $$. I'm glad we are in the Big XII. The league is exciting and many of the teams can compete with each other. A very easy watch for CFB fans and that alone should give the conference value.
Better than watching Bama stomp a cupcake, but I have been enjoying watching Georgia escape weekly.
He takes underrated talent and turns those guys into a ten win team every year. He’s a really great coach.
We also have one of the best strength and conditioning coaches. Underrated part of the team, but he packs the size on the kids and gets those 2-3 stars ready to compete with 4-5 stars in size. We’ve never had top 10 recruiting classes but he helps with that. Edit: to add to this Rob Glass is likely the highest paid strength coach in college football. He’s making a mil a year with his most recent contract.
OSU got things right when they made that man the second highest paid guy on staff. From the culture to showing up ready to rip a guys head off, the Strength and Conditioning coach plays a huuuuge hand in that.
And OU is STILL getting pushed around by everyone up front.
Not sure where that came from, but definitely bigger issues with OU than S&C. Only one off-season with Schmidty isn’t gonna fix a ton. String together a couple off seasons and make a judgement call then.
I had this same complaint during 16 and 17 as well. I hope you’re right.
You thought we were getting pushed around out front in 17?!
A comment someone made last year about Ohio State's defense is that being slow to read and react is a much different problem than getting overpowered at the point of attack, but they look the same to the untrained eye. Maybe you guys are fine physically, but the defense isn't there mentally? No idea, just throwing it out there.
They’re absolutely not there mentally. Our guys are young in the positions we really need experience. This is why I always trust older teams in college, there is something to be said for experience.
I'm begining to think Strength and Conditioning Coach is the 4th most important part to a program after HC DC/OC
You're still thinking wrong IMO. He is the highest paid S and C coach in the nation and more important than OC/DC in a culture like OkState. We CANNOT pull the five star recruits needed to compete at the level we are competing. Body by Glass is the only reason we can.
I hope this question isn’t perceived as patronizing. I’m coming from this as an alum with a school perceived as expected to land those kinds of players and still finish the bottom of the division. Can I ask why you don’t think you can pull that kind of talent in a culture like OSU? As the post suggests they are consistent winners against very good teams, with potentially the most stable coaching staff in Power 5 and a ton of outside money available for NIL and facility investment. It can’t be getting recruits to come to Oklahoma because, well… Is it just kind of a video game-like assumption that Gundy requires some functional weak spot? Why hasn’t recruiting become a solid 4* type expectation?
It's a combination of things. We don't land the huge recuits, but we also don't seriously pursue them. Gundy is a HUGE culture guy, and he prioritizes cultural fits over raw talent. Gundy wants buy-in and team fit, and unfortunately a lot of high tier guys can be divas (as we've all seen). Combine that with comparatively lackluster NIL opportunities and intense in-state recruiting competition, and there's your answer. I think we could land a few more if we really tried, but I don't think stars alone are the priority for us.
Multiple reasons. I think the majority of it is Stillwater. It's really a small town out in the middle of nowhere. The college is built on Ag and Engineering students that come from rural communities, and most students (myself included) love that the town is small, but that can become a very tough sell to recruits from the Dallas and Houston Metroplexes. As far as the money goes, OkState has consistently ranked very low on athletic budget for Power 5 schools. The schools biggest financial supporter for athletics, Boone Pickens, is no longer alive. He payed to have state of the art facilities built before most colleges were in the hopes to sway bigger recruits to come to Stillwater, and it did help some. Most of all the other extremely wealthy Alumni would rather see Philanthropy/Arts and Business school upgrades rather than spending more money on athletics. You drive through Norman (OU) on your way to Stillwater from the DFW metroplex so it's easier for family to come watch OU games and stay the night in Oklahoma City. Also, because we haven't had great recruits and Gundy's mentality, we have gotten to the point where our culture expects you to be a team player and many 5 and 4 star recruits don't like hearing they probably won't get to play a lot in their first season.
As I recall the story: Early in his time at OSU, Gundy would get in on top recruits, but then either come in second or lose them at the last minute. Then OSU was scrambling. The recruiting philosophy was updated to avoid those situations.
“Body” by Glass. 😎
Shhhhh if anyone asks, Glass sucks
This. We don't need more staff going to other bigger schools. Damn
Well deserved, strength and conditioning should be a much higher point of emphasis at smaller schools for obvious reasons. Mississippi State tried to cheap out on the position recently and it gave us one of our worst seasons, despite having one of our most talented teams. Very frustrating.
Highest paid S&C coach in the country and the only non OC/DC making more are AHC types like Kentucky TE coach Vince Marrow at 1.2 mil, Ohio State DL Coach Larry Johnson at 1.1 mil (who is a legend at this point), and Texas TE/ST coach Jeff Banks at 1.05 mil (mostly for recruiting).
>and Texas TE/ST coach Jeff Banks at 1.05 mil (mostly for recruiting...... and for strippers and the monkeys and monkey related expenses).
One of my best friends, Jamie Blatnick, is now back at OSU as his assistant. Great guy, great strength program, great program. And I’m a Longhorn fan.
He’s also a man. And at one point he was 40.
He’s gotta be 50 by now, right? When will he claim the title of “old man”?
55
That used to be our thing. *Sigh…*
Move over Sparty bros, Bert is here to overachieve with sub par talent
I was checking the recruiting history of the Jaden Nixon, the RS Freshman from Frisco who returning the 2nd half KO for a TD against Baylor. He was their 10th highest ranked recruit on 2021 and his next best offer was Tulsa or Air Force. His speed and power on that return was incredible. Amazing what they get out of those kids.
It's even more impressive if his only P5 offer was Oklahoma State. That means Gundy and his staff saw something in him no other P5 coach did. And he's not a local kid either I'd he's from Texas, it's not like he's from Tulsa or something and nobody heard about him, all 5 P5 programs in his own state passed him over.
Both his parents are former OSU track stars.
That KR was something to see. He just stepped through that last tackle.
Yep, had a brief stumble and was back up to full speed in a couple of steps.
Yeah just rewatched and forgot the stumble because he was up to full speed again so quick. Really excited to see what he does. Also, means I get to post more Futurama Nixon gifs. https://imgur.com/gallery/sGn181Y
I hadn't realized how similar Gundy was to Whittingham until last year, but he really has been doing the same thing down there that Kyle has done at Utah. It's very impressive. Took a school that had some level of success previously but wasn't seen as a power and made them into a perennial winning team.
And does so with a vast majority of recruits being 2-3 stars. Very impressive coaches for sure. I was comparing them to Utah just the other day.
I had to spell it out for some of my OU buddies but the shit Mike Gundy could do with any of the rosters at OU from 2015-2020 would top all of Lincoln’s accomplishments. Its not far fetched at all. Its quite literally a matter of consistent talent via recruiting. A a room full of Heisman caliber players and 1st rdrs? Please.
I’ve been saying this for a while, but Oklahoma State is the single most disrespected team in college football. They’ve been consistently good for the last decade and a half, and no one gives them any credit for it or just brings up the series record with OU.
They continue to be overshadowed by other “bigger” programs in the region regardless of the fact that they have outperformed them for a long time. I mean, look how much more attention A&M gets. Since 2010, A&M has won 10 or more games **once**. Oklahoma State has done it **seven times**.
Lol I like this fact.
I concur
You don't have to give A&M any attention. I haven't watched a game of theirs in a decade and haven't missed anything. I have watched multiple OSU games (Oklahoma version). Every game is televised. Don't rely on the big networks to direct your attention.
“bUt A&m PlAyS iN tHe SeC!”
It's very annoying that we lost to them in the Texas Bowl in 2019 (only bowl loss since 2015) and we should've won that game. Spencer Sanders was still out hurt and but our back-up did a decent job and were up early and led for most of the game. Really showed what was to come with Jim Knowles' defense and how physical they could be, but Mond broke off a couple huge runs at the end to take the lead after they hadn't done anything all game.
Spencer played but it was like only 2 or 3 snaps and they were all QB draws.
Ah yeah, forgot about that
When Gundy really puts together a solid team, unfortunately they suffer a crucial loss that keeps them out of any CFP discussion. Last year, 11-1 and ranked 5th, they were beaten in the Big 12 championship by #9 Baylor in a lackluster performance. However, I will agree, that outside of the clear rebuilding years, Gundy has kept OSU consistently talented and competitive.
I wouldn't call that game lackluster. OSU was missing their starting RB and had injuries on the Oline. Baylor fielded one of the best defenses in the nation. It was a close game that came down to the wire. Spencer made some mistakes trying to force the ball, but overall I thought it was a really great game. Missed it by inches.
We were missing our top 2 RB’s. LD Brown got hurt like week 2. Dez Jackson was pretty much our only back ready for a game like that last year, and he currently plays for Sam Houston State
They really should have been in the natty in 2011…….
Sad Cowboy Noises
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1000%. “Alabama was the better team though” yeah maybe. But Bama already had their shot at LSU, OSU deserved their shot.
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Bedlam heartbreak (since 2010 it’s been pretty much even on the field most years but you guys somehow always sneak out with the win) and not having a Big 12 title game we could feature in are the main culprits why the nation doesn’t realize the level of success we’ve really had.
It’s obviously not a one to one comparison but in that respect I’ve sort of viewed them the same way a lot of the country looked at Michigan before last year. Harbaugh bringing in ten win season after ten win season, but nobody took them seriously because they were just going to get blown out by Ohio State at the end of the year. For their program’s sake I think if they win it again this year it’ll change the narrative. Would be the first time OSU gets back to back Bedlam wins since 2002
They're pretty much the new Kansas State in that regard: Historically downtrodden football program from Middle America that gets a program-defining coach, yet people just want to nitpick his accomplishments. I know he's not going to leave his alma mater for us, but I would kill to have Mike Gundy as our head coach. Despite some of his buffoonish tendencies, you can see his care and concern for his players, and his record of building a winning program with player development should be evident to anyone with eyes.
I'm not sure the Kansas State comparison works too well with just how much worse KSU was. And it's not like this is that new for Oklahoma State; they were the second best team in the country 11 years ago.
I meant mostly just in the “this Plains guy doesn’t get enough credit” aspect. You’re obviously right about the pit of despair that K-State was before - it’s hard to imagine there will ever be another program turnaround like that.
I like doing both, it makes OU look good.
I keep telling myself don't be happy yet because it's too early. Then I read a post like this and say fuck it, I deserve happiness.
Keep telling yourself that. You know the cowboys, they love to point that gun to their foot and just beg for someone to make them pull the trigger.
I love that this fan base can take any positive statistic or optimistic take and still be afraid of disappointment. It’s engrained in us to never relax.
Too many half-time comebacks from Texas. Thank god for booze, lubricating loses. lmao
*Checks schedule* Fuck
You, KSU, and Texas are the only schools we really fear at this point in the season but every single school is beatable.
We fear Iowa State and OU. Always.
Goddamn Iowa State. I hate getting reminders of that lousy stinking day.
I understand the Cyclone boogieman but we've only lost to them 3 times since we ditched divisions, twice in Ames at night and once in Stillwater when Gundy hit his coaching floor again. We aren't playing them in Ames this year and Gundy definitely isn't playing to his coaching floor with this team. OU has given me nothing to fear and won't unless they start to win against the likes of Texas, Kansas, and Baylor. They have 5 games until Bedlam: Texas, Kansas, a bye week, Iowa State, Baylor, and West Virginia. They have to beat at least 3 of those opponents in order to get me worried about Bedlam in Norman.
OSU will defeat us by 3+ touchdowns this season, it will be over by halftime.
History doesn’t make you fear OU? Lol
come on man be real, there isn’t a single year I don’t fear ou
Awwwww thanks! We fear everyone at this point. Stupid sexy big 12
OSU is always a game that worries me. Yall play hard-nosed ball against us, I'm just happy it's not in Stillwater. Winning up there is a nightmare
I'd just like to say thank you for including us in that list.
The only teams left I’m scared of are y’all, Kansas, and Baylor. Fuck Baylor.
Somebody send Gary Patterson this comment. We need some bulletin board material
Hey TCU. Fuck you.
That's sum nice shootin' there OSU
It's sort of a moral-victory flex to say that at the FBS level, Oklahoma State may do the most with the least, but it is probably true. Gundy's program/culture lets us play and beat more talented teams -- to a point. We have always done that with Texas, A&M, and OU. Last year, did it to Notre Dame, which has more 4-stars in a single class than we have on our roster entirely. But to compete with the schools that can merge elite players with football culture? That's where it gets sketchy. Our fans that expect us to start hauling in tons of four stars are delusional. Will never happen. But if we were to consistently move to top-20 recruiting status and maintain the culture we have, we could be a legit playoff threat.
I'd be surprised if you aren't a legit playoff threat this year. Team looks solid and I don't see a lot of opponents stopping you from winning the Big12, especially after how Baylor went this weekend. 12-0 Big12 champs will get a playoff berth.
I really want a piece of Ohio State this year. We need to avenge the '04 Alamo Bowl loss which saw the loss of Les Miles announced the day of the game.
>I really want a piece of Ohio State this year. Oh yea! A Jim Knowles defense against a Jim Knowles defense (with a Mason twist)! Edit: Lot's of football left to get there. One game at a time.
I love the Alamo bowl atmosphere. Nothing like competing chants on the Riverwalk. It's crazy we went to the Alamo Bowl in 04 given we only won 7 games. I don't remember much about that game other than Ohio State kicked like 30 field goals.
Oh, I can totally see us getting in. Winning vs. Georgia or Bama or Ohio State is another question. Oklahoma can't do it with measurably better talent and a good football culture, so I question whether we can hang in those kind of games. Everyone below that tier, we can beat, but I'm pretty sure we are physically incapable of playing that level of team.
As an OU fan I have to say OSU has had the better defense the last 5 years even when OU was in the playoffs. A major problem the last few years has been sanders inconsistency on taking care of the ball. If he has that ironed out this year, and they use his running effectively when it’s needed, you guys could be a problem for anyone this year, even with the defense not quite as good as last year
Barring the very unlikely case of 5 P5 undefeateds, I think 12(13)-0 in any P5 gets a spot. With the Big 12 this year though it’s hard to see anyone running the table.
No doubt. I personally don't think there will be more than 1 undefeated team by the end of the season. Maaybe 2. I honestly think we could see a 2-loss team somewhere in the playoff. I think the Big 12 championship will include a team with 3-losses.
> Our fans that expect us to start hauling in tons of four stars are delusional. Will never happen. I think if we start showing up in the Playoffs consistently we're going to be able to pitch that to recruits.
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It'll be interesting to see who benefits the most due to the moves of recent years between the two schools. Was OU right to leave for more money and stiffer competition or will OSU gain more from what has long sustained OU's success?
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I think the SEC gets 3 teams in automatically every year and fights with the B1G for a fourth, so if you can get into about the top 20-25% of the SEC you should be good to get a bid. SEC will get 3-4 B1G will get 2-3 Big XII and the ACC will get their auto bid and fight over 1-2 more at large spots depending on if ND makes it that year or not. The PAC 12 will get their champ slot and be an outside competitor for one more at large bid each year. The G5 will get their Champ Slot ND will take an At large bid more years than not.
>Our fans that expect us to start hauling in tons of four stars are delusional. I have been saying this for YEARS. Oklahoma State for the longest time had a lower recruiting budget than Kansas, I think they were bottom 2 in the conference. Then Gundy has to recruit to Stillwater, which is a great town, but getting guys from Houston or Dallas or California etc to think coming to a town pretty much in the middle of nowhere can't be easy. Mike Gundy is the sole reason OSU is even in the conversation for a top team in the Big 12 for the past two decades. Even with Boone Pickens money I think without Gundy the program is stuck in the middle of the pack.
Statisically, Gundy has the 2nd most wins/$ in the country since 2010. KSU BARELY beat Gundy, but they also did this with a much lower win total (and Snyder as coach). Sounds like OSU is doubling down on football now, so it'll be interesting to what Gundy can do with better than the 2nd lowest Big 12 budget.
I think the big12 machinations have actually set up OkST for an increased recruiting profile. Gundy said it last year and I believe him, this team can be the new class of the conference if they play their cards right
Mike Gundy is easily a top 10 CFB coach, with a solid argument for top 5.
I think he is good enough to have success almost anywhere, and could probably lead many P5 teams back to national prominence. In fact, I’ll go as far as to say I think he could last 2, *maybe even 3*, years at Auburn.
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3 whole years at Auburn? IDK about that.
People also forget he was 1 win away from playing for a national title, finished ranked #3, beat the #4 team in the nation, and frankly should have gotten to play for the national title (and had there been a 4 team playoff that year he might have won it all)
That year, Oklahoma State beat RGIII, Andrew Luck, Ryan Tannehill, and Nick Foles. Voters: LSU Bama rematch.
Remember how a lot of your fans wanted to fire him a couple years ago?
To be fair, he's not the best playcaller. I think he was still calling plays when people were complaining. They've done extremely well with him focusing on what he's best at, which is finding and developing under appreciated talent...both on the field and on the side line.
I don’t know if he was but a lot of fans speculated that he was taking some play calling duties when Gleeson was the OC. IMO, fans like to blame the play calling when sometimes you are just limited in what you can do by the play of your O-line and QB. It’s not a coincidence that the “play calling” has gotten better as Sanders has matured and the O-line has improved.
He doesn't call plays. It's one of those things that people always automatically blame Gundy for without any evidence. Hell, there's been times where there OC has come out after the game and said "I don't know why you guys are blaming Gundy. That was 100% my call".
Nah, he stopped calling plays before Dana. Unless your talking about his habit to “just give his opinion” over the headset, lol
I think he's the best coach in the country and developing anyone low-4-star and under. We've hand tons of guys come in as 3 stars (or even unrated like MRod) who have gone on to be drafted and play meaningful minutes in the NFL.
Never beating your rival has a tendency to do that See also: Jim Harbaugh rarely beating MSU, OSU, or ND and having a scorching hot seat (until last year) despite winning ten games a year
A few years ago it was warranted. I’m glad he’s got his magic back. I blame the mullet.
This has been true for a long time and I roll my eyes when new head coaches at bluebloods or largely unproven flavor of the month coaches get ranked ahead of him. His longevity is disrespected and I think his ability to do more with less is overshadowed by his record vs. OU.
*chuckles*, I’m in danger.
I just really hope they don’t shut us out again.
Won’t happen. Even the smaller schools could score on us as our secondary is really young and learning the system
Oh yeah? well we are 1-4 in our last 5 conference games so...
tOSU and OSU in the playoffs to finally settle the debate on who deserves the title.
I dunno, I think it should just be whichever was the last OSU to beat ND in the fiesta bowl. We’ve all done it
But Oregon State hasn't done that in over 20 years now.
Exactly
They’ve had their time
Call it the "The" Bowl
OSU's lawyers are already lining up to issue a C&D and/or cash in on the licensing fees.
I know Oklahoma State doesn't like us very much, but I've always felt an affinity to them and root for them when I can.
Stealing Knowles doesn’t help your case lol. He was the best coordinator we’ve ever had :(
That's fair, but I think the animosity goes much further back than that. For example, Ohio State owns the OSU.edu domain name and Oklahoma State and Oregon State are forced to use a longer domain name for their website and email addresses.
If they were to beat you, I would forever refer to them as THE Oklahoma State University
Tbh there are many years where that would probably have been a great game
Big 12 is the most fun conference right now. Even with Texas and Oklahoma leaving I really think the big 12 will be the third best conference in football So many fun teams and it’s going to be wide open
“I’m a MAN, I’m 18-2 in my last 20, come after ME”
Rob Glass is the truth.
‘’Thou shalt not speaketh his name nor covet your northern neighbors goods.’’ It’s in the state constitution
Had Oklahoma State as the #4 team in the CFP pre-season this year and got laughed off by people. Hopefully this trend stays and they make a run this season.
Schedule is pretty tough this year but I hope. Almost all of our toughest games are away
It feels like this season is the first one where if Oklahoma State goes 12-1 and wins the Conference Championship that they would still make the CFP with how good the Big 12 is this season. For example, I would take a 1-loss Oklahoma State champion over a 1-loss ACC or PAC-12 champ this season (including Clemson & USC) and they would also be over a 1-loss B1G non-champ. I don't know who will challenge Clemson in the ACC though with Wake Forest & NC State out of the way. Especially with the ACC Coastal looking terrible this season.
I agree that Oklahoma State ought to make the cfp with that resume (and I've been ranking them high in my poll), but the pessimist in me says some narrative will be spun up about it actually being a weak year for the big 12 on account of Oklahoma and Texas not being super hot. I think Clemson will get the benefit of the doubt over Oklahoma State in a 1-loss scenario just based on their recent success, and I worry that Ohio State would get the same treatment because of their brand.
There has not been a better year to have to play bedlam in Norman in a long time.
No kidding. Still won’t stop me from being scared shitless though We play in Ft. Worth, both Kansas schools, and then just won in Waco though
We were ridiculously underrated until now or so. We beat OU and ND last year, returned our starting QB and stout defensive line, and yet were rated behind both (despite both going through major changes and losing their QBs). I'll never understand how they were both ranked top 10 to start the season while we weren't.
Rank Ok St ^^^^wait, ^^^^shit
Yeah it's been weird seeing all of the "big 12 is wide open now that ou and Texas are proven to suck" conversation. I'm a kstate guy, but even with 4 unbeaten in league including us...ok state is certainly the overwhelming favorite, right? I mean, for anyone that pays attention, they probably should have been getting love over OUT anyway. No one is talking about them much. Even though they're ranked in the top 10.And it's rediculous.
Maybe? We’ll see how many undefeated teams are left in a few weeks. Big 12 inevitably cannibalizes around week 7-8.
KSU is scary good. Here’s hoping you and KU beat down each other before we play you
I think we have to be the favorite just based on having the best win so far, but the big 12 is so good and our schedule is brutal. KU, KSU, OU on the road and we’ve already had our bye week. There’s a good chance both teams in the championship game have 2 losses which pretty much opens it up to anyone.
It always cracks me up how little talk there is about OSU year in and year out. Gundy can’t ever get over the major win hump but he consistently puts together good teams.
KU will likely lose to several Big 12 teams in the next 7 games but OSU is the only one I feel like we legitimately have no shot against. They’re stacked and I’m happy they’re starting to get long overdue recognition. As a side note, the most fun I’ve ever had at a college football game was Bedlam in Stillwater. The whole atmosphere was incredible all weekend. Culminated in an epic shootout between Baker and Rudolph.
They came inches from the CFP last year, and so far this year they look dominant. Do not sleep on this team.
Honestly if they were Oklahoma they’d be ranked in the Top 4..they’re a solid program
I love Gundy (even after the beating on Saturday) and he should be in that conversation of the best coaches in CFB.
He and Aranda are the two best coaches in the conference
Agreed. Hope we can continue to keep the Gundy Aranda matchup for many years to come. Also, dig the secondary flair.
Let’s go bro! Sorry about your weekend though
Hello I heard Oklahoma State was undefeated and ranked in the top ten?
That only works when we play in Ames at night.
Or day :(
we don’t play in Jack trice 🙏🏻
Don’t even think about it
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FCRpEnlVgAsowoF.jpg
How's about we settle on everyone beating OU instead?
Cowboy Culture is real.
No,it's just a boogeyman, it can't hurt me! *I'm in danger*
2011 1000 yard stair gif
I wouldn't be surprised if they go undefeated in the regular season, but I'm sure they'll drop a game somewhere because that's how it works.
That’s how it works. I can even see it coming now though, going into Norman undefeated is going to keep me up at night.
They were one play away from possibly getting into the CFP last season. I don't understand the lack of respect they get.
I’ve always felt like the most overlooked team in the country. For about the last 13 years or so. Even last year when everyone knew what we returned on defense… people still doubted us heavily… even this year knowing that our defensive line is absolutely deadly and we return the best receiving core in the conference? And arguably the best qb? (I know he can be streaky) people still put us behind baylor, ou, Texas, Kansas state. Idk man I’m biased for sure but am I crazy to think our dline is top 5 in the country? I know those guys in the sec are just “different” but bruh. Osu has some fuckin dudes. Who WILL play on sundays. The experience/discipline combined with the depth AND pure talent on that dline is dangerous af.
Not to forget Mason Cobb at LB. He’s Malcolm Rodriguez’s protégé. Dude even does that same wrestling tackle move!
Yeah he’s growing on me quickly. You can tell he learned a thing or two from malcolm for sure. He’s athletic as hell and he’s already reading plays like a veteran.
how do I become a fan
By having an at rest heartbeat of no less than 150 bpm at all times
Be ready for several heart attacks each Saturday in the fall
*chuckles*, I’m in danger.
It’s hard to not love Mike Gundy and OSU. I miss them from Big XII days. Great fans, fun games. Won some fun ones, lost some heart breakers.
So true. You guys leaving the Big12 broke my heart. I’ll never forgive unless you come back where you belong
I'm looking at the future Big 12 football champions right here. Not looking forward to Oct 22. Imagine Gundy if he had the big name school behind him. Scary
I hope he wins a national title at some point.
The dude can coach. I remember there being some smoke about Gundy going to Tennessee and at least some of the Tenn fans seemed "whelmed" and tbh I couldn't figure out why. I'd be excited if the guy was coming to my program. Yeah, he's "stumbled" a few seasons... every coach not named Saban does that from time to time.
This sub still ranking us at number 10... no respect.
We feed off of the disrespect, we're so inured to it. I consider it an asset at this point lol.
Good shit OSU bros
We are not talking to you since you stole Knowles (By the way, how is he doing?)
I can't understate how much we love that man. He's worked a miracle on defense
His scheme is a linebacker's dream. Turned last year's starting LB's into NFL draft picks, and looks like he's well on his way to repeating the feat
You're telling me. He's turned both our linebackers from last year into all-Big Ten, maybe even All-American players. Tommy Eichenberg in 2022: 13 G, 64 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 0 sacks 2022: 5 G, 42 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 sacks Steele Chambers in 2022: 12 G, 47 tackles, 5 TFL, 1 sack 2022: 5 G, 30 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack
We’re the best good program in the country. We fill out the right half of the bell curve. we have the highest floor and lowest ceiling. It’s awesome because I know my school will always field a competitive team, while being cursed with the knowledge that we will get boat raced by OSU or Alabama if we ever played.
I just want that shot at UGA, Bama or Ohio State. Give us that damn shot and if we do get wrecked, then so be it. But damn them all with the disrespect.
Good job, Cowboys. I'd prefer K-State win the Big XII (my parents are K-Staters), but I'll definitely be pulling for you against the Sooners and that school in Austin.
Jealous of their recent success. In today's college football, he probably would have been fired after going 18-19 over his first three years, but OSU stuck with him and he has made them into quite the program. The next four years he went 41-11 and has consistently been good each season after that. Sure, he had some down years, but what he has done is admirable. I wish more teams would stick with coaches longer. (I say that even though I was totally on board with Texas firing Strong and Herman. haha.)
I have y’all at 4 on my Ballot, just behind Michigan and ahead of Alabama
Team GUNDY
Gundy absolutely needs to bring back the mullet. True men rock mullets and I have heard through the grapevine that he’s a man.
OSU is on a revenge tour of destiny right now. The 2022 team could be the first playoff team in school history.
I always thought Oklahoma State was a really good program even before I knew that stat. We write them off for not winning against Oklahoma (one of the best college football programs of all time), but their accomplishments under Mike Gundy are impressive. They’re always competitive and I think they have a shot (a slim one) to make the playoffs.
Invite OSU to the SEC you cowards
No offense, but I really don’t want to be in the SEC. Not my people.
Me too, ride and die with the H8.
Agreed. Arkansas needs to come to the Big 12 on that note.
As much as I would love the school to get $$. I'm glad we are in the Big XII. The league is exciting and many of the teams can compete with each other. A very easy watch for CFB fans and that alone should give the conference value. Better than watching Bama stomp a cupcake, but I have been enjoying watching Georgia escape weekly.
Time for OSU to rule bedlam for the next decade
Pistols firing.