Alumni and students are optimistic their Oklahoma State University Cowboys football team will join the elite of the BIG XII South Division in 2008 and challenge for a chance to win a conference championship in the BIG XII championship game in December. However, pundits and oddsmakers need more convincing.
Online sportsbook BetUS.com has listed the Cowboys with +800 money line odds to win their division, fourth best of six teams. The Cowboys are expected to finish ahead of Texas A&M and Baylor, two programs breaking in new systems under new leadership.
Odds on the Cowboys winning the overall league championship are at +2500 and +12,000 to win the BCS National Championship.
On offense the Cowboys only lost three starters from a 2007 squad that ran and passed for 3,161 yards while leading the Big 12 in rushing for the second straight season. The Cowboy’s 2007 offense was the second best in school history. Plenty of experience and skill players return to try for a repeat performance.
Quarterback Zac Robinson is back for his junior season after a record-setting sophomore year in which he turned in one of the best seasons in Cowboy history. Now firmly entrenched as the starter, Robinson is established as one of the nation’s top dual threat quarterbacks.
The Cowboys return six starters from the 2007 unit, but OSU also brought in immediate help with the signing of six junior college players on the defensive side. Five of those newcomers arrived in time for spring drills and all had an early impact.
For the second straight season , the Cowboys must rebuild their defensive line as three starters are gone. OSU is also replacing a pair of starting linebackers. But back in the fold is the entire secondary, a young and talented group of defensive linemen and now the junior college help as well.
Oklahoma State will not be a comfortable opponent for anybody on their schedule. The Cowboys enter 2008 with momentum from a bowl win, a veteran offensive line and a senior quarterback; all ingredients needed for a successful football team. If the Cowboys can fill a few defensive holes they have the potential to have a very successful season.
Oklahoma State Cowboys 2008 Football Schedule
Aug 30 @Washington State (Seattle)
Sep 06 Houston
Sep 13 Missouri State
Sep 27 Troy
Oct 04 Texas A&M
Oct 11 @Missouri
Oct 18 Baylor
Oct 25 @Texas
Nov 01 Iowa State
Nov 08 @Texas Tech
Nov 15 @ Colorado
Nov 29 Oklahoma
