OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS
2013 College Football Preview
OFFENSE - 7
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 7
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Isaiah Anderson-WR, Jonathan Rush-OG, Evan Epstein-C, Lane Taylor-OG, Quinn Sharp-K/P, Joseph Randle-RB (NFL), Wes Lunt-QB (transferred)
DEFENSE: Ryan Robinson-DE, Nigel Nicholas-DE, Cooper Bassett-DE, Alex Elkins-LB, Brodrick Brown-CB
WR Josh Stewart
Receiver / Defensive Tackle

There's enough talent running routes in Stillwater to where Josh Stewart will continue giving OSU a long line of thoroughbred OSU pass catchers. Running up the gut will be difficult against these Cowboys. Not only are the safeties premier defenders but Calvin Barnett takes up space, blockers and ball-carriers.

Quarterback / Defensive End

Ability is not missing from the quarterbacks doing battle, they just cannot seem to separate and lock down the longing question...who plays quarterback? Now that Lunt has transferred will it be Chelf or Walsh? The pass defense was questionable last year. Two new defense ends will be expected to bring much needed pressure on opposing passers to keep this area from lagging.

DT Calvin Barnett
 
OKLAHOMA STATE 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Clint Chelf-Sr (6-1, 210) J.W. Walsh-So (6-2, 205)
FB Kyle Staley-Sr (5-10, 236) Jeremy Seaton-So (6-2, 250)
RB Jeremy Smith-Sr (5-10, 208) Desmond Roland-Jr (6-2, 210)
WR Charlie Moore-Sr (6-2, 202) Brandon Sheperd-So (6-1, 195)
WR Tracy Moore-Sr (6-2, 215) Jhajuan Seales-RFr (6-2, 185)
IR Josh Stewart-Jr (5-10, 185) Blake Webb-So (5-11, 190)
IR Blake Jackson-Sr (6-3, 235) Austin Hays-So (6-2, 185)
OT Devin Davis-So (6-5, 298) Michael Wilson-RFr (6-6, 290)
OG Brandon Webb-Sr (6-3, 326) Paul Lewis-RFr (6-3, 295)
C Jake Jenkins-Jr (6-3, 298) Zac Veatch-RFR (6-4, 290)
OG Parker Graham-Sr (6-7, 315) Chris Grisbhy-Jr (6-5, 325)
OT Daniel Koenig-Jr (6-6, 310) Brandon Garrett-Jr (6-5, 295)
K Bobby Stonebraker-So (6-0, 165) Kip Smith-Jr (6-1, 209)
 
OKLAHOMA STATE 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Tyler Johnson-Sr (6-1, 245) Sam Wren-Jr (6-2, 255)
DT Calvin Barnett-Sr (6-2, 300) Davidell Collins-Sr (6-5, 275)
DT James Castleman-Jr (6-2, 296) Anthony Rogers-Sr (6-3, 293)
DE Jimmy Bean-So (6-5, 245) Trace Clark-So (6-4, 250)
SLB Shaun Lewis-Sr (5-11, 225) Joe Mitchell-Sr (6-3, 225)
MLB Caleb Lavey-Sr (6-3, 235) Demarcus Sherod-So (6-0, 220)
WLB Ryan Simmons-So (6-0,242) Kris Catlin-So (6-1, 225)
CB Justin Gilbert-Sr (6-0, 200) Miketavius Jones-So (5-10, 175)
CB Kevin Peterson-So (5-11, 185) Ashton Lampkin-So (5-11, 180)
SS Shamiel Gary-Sr (6-0, 210) Zack Craig-Sr (6-1, 200)
FS Daytawion Lowe-Sr (5-11, 205) Larry Stephens-Sr (5-10, 185)
P Michael Reichenstein-Jr (6-4, 212) Kip Smith-Jr (6-1, 209)
 
QUICK TAKES

 

  • An unsettled revolving quarterback process seems to remain the situation in Stillwater. Senior Clint Chelf is the veteran who rose to the top last fall with a help of a few injuries. He may be the least talented option but he makes things happen especially as a descent runner. Recruiting star Wes Lunt transferred out which leaves next-big-thing J.W. Walsh to fight for starting honors, a battle that likely will be open for debate through the whole season. A knee injury closed his development last fall but Walsh can run and has a legit mid-range arm.
  • This won't be a rebuilding circumstance for OSU as opposed to last year., which they handled quite well considering the number of personnel they were trying to replace.
  • The key to success lies with new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich who came from an impressive stint at Division II Shippensburg where his offenses lit up the scoreboard and piled on the yards. Head coach Mike Gundy knows how to spot an offensive genius and he will sink or swim with the Yurcich project.
  • Pass catching stud Josh Stewart is an All-American performer fitting in with the likes of past Cowboy greats Rashaun Woods, Dez Bryant and Justin Blackmon. This offense puts up monster stats and makes a superstar out of a pass catcher every year. With Moore, Jackson and Hays among others by his side there is no room for opposing defenses to double up on Stewart.
  • The defense will be under a more attacking style with Glenn Spencer taking over as defensive coordinator. This side of the ball will be extremely stout up the middle with two of the league's premier safety and tackle duos to work with.
  • Defensive tackle Calvin Barnett is the rock in the middle. He takes up space, blockers and ball-carriers. He can also move when he has to, nothing flashy but he is very productive.
  • The losses last season were close ones. With a wealthy combination of athletes and experience the Cowboys are being tagged as the team to beat in the Big 12 for the second time in three years.
  • The keys will be to figure out this unsettled quarterback situation, generate a better pass rush with some new defensive ends and to cut back the passing totals by the opponent.

 

 

OKLAHOMA STATE SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 - Mississippi State @Houston, TX
Sept. 7 - at UTSA
Sept. 14 - Lamar
Sept. 28 - at West Virginia
Oct. 5 - Kansas State
Oct. 19 - TCU
Oct. 26 - at Iowa State
Nov. 2 - at Texas Tech
Nov. 9 - Kansas
Nov. 16 - at Texas
Nov. 23 - Baylor
Dec. 7 - Oklahoma