Big 12 Championship: Hop on the Oklahoma State Bandwagon While Getting to Know A Few Players

Oklahoma State returns to the Big 12 Title game for the second time in three years after a roller coaster season.

The Oklahoma State bandwagon is coming through Fort Worth and all temporary fans are welcome aboard.

No. 20 Oklahoma State (9-3 overall, 7-2 Big 12) will take on No. 7 Texas (11-1, 8-1) in the Big 12 Championship game in Arlington at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 11 a.m.

Every fan base in the Big 12 Conference outside Texas and Oklahoma wants Oklahoma State to win and send Texas to the SEC without the Big 12 title. The Longhorns last won a conference title in 2009 and have not played in the title game since 2018.

In fact, only one team has made the title game multiple times since 2020 – that would be the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Oklahoma State lost to Baylor in the 2021 title game. (Oklahoma State’s last conference title came in 2011.) Now, the Cowboys are back after a roller-coaster season, which is arguably one of Mike Gundy’s best coaching jobs. 

Nov 25, 2023; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma State's Alan Bowman (7) celebrates with Dalton Cooper (71) following a touchdown during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sarah Phipps-USA TODAY Sports / © Sarah Phipps-USA TODAY Sports

The Cowboys claimed a spot in the title game with a 40-34 double-overtime win over BYU. That game felt like a microcosm of Oklahoma State’s season with a rough start, great second half, a seemingly costly miscue late in the game (blocked PAT), and ultimately sealing the win on a turnover.

Oklahoma State started the season 2-1, including a 26-point loss to South Alabama, while using a three-quarterback rotation. I watched all those games (even attending the game at Arizona State) and could see that sixth-year transfer, former Texas Tech signal caller Alan Bowman was the best option. Bowman officially earned the starting job in time for the conference opener against Iowa State.

A loss at Iowa State was followed by a five-game winning streak, capped off by a win in the final scheduled Bedlam game against Oklahoma. The Bedlam hangover lasted a bit long with a nasty loss at UCF the next week. Oklahoma State took its time getting past Houston and BYU but did win both games. The Cowboys got into the conference championship via a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Sooners.

I hopped onto the bandwagon a few years ago by marrying an Oklahoma State alum, though, I have tracked the program for years as a college football fan. This team fits the Gundy mold – underestimated in the offseason (picked seventh in the preseason poll) but by the end of the season is on the verge of winning 10 games. Gundy, the 2023 Big 12 Coach of the Year, has won at least 10 games seven times (this season pending) and has made a bowl game every season except his first one as head coach (165-78 overall record).

This is not the best Oklahoma State team Gundy has coached during his 19 years in Stillwater, but it can boast a Bedlam win and a conference title game appearance. Very few Cowboy teams can do that.

I see ways this team can beat Texas. That will not be easy, but Oklahoma State has already defied the odds. Why not add another improbable moment to the 2023 season?

If you plan to join the bandwagon for Saturday, make sure to say “Go Pokes!” anytime you see someone in Oklahoma State gear. Also, a good bandwagon fan will know a few key players. So, here are a couple Cowboys to know on offense and defense.

Oklahoma State Offense

Ollie Gordon, Running Back – Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year

Ollie Gordon leads the nation in rushing yards (1,580 yards), ranks second in touchdowns (22), and is sixth in yards per carry (6.45). He averaged 163 rushing yards per game in conference play and broke 100 yards eight times. Gordon became the second player in Cowboys history, after NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders, to run for 250 or more yards in back-to-back games. Then, Gordon scored five times against BYU, which Sanders did three times as a Cowboy.

Alan Bowman, quarterback – Honorable Mention All-Big 12

Bowman is not a flashy quarterback. He completed 248-of-414 passes for 2,808 yards, 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season. Since taking over the starting role in week 4, Bowman has thrown for 300 yards or more four times. He avoids sacks by unloading the ball before the pressure arrives. This might result in more incompletions, but it limits negative yardage plays. Bowman might not be a headline-grabbing quarterback, but he is experienced.

Leon Johnson, Wide Receiver

Leon Johnson started the season buried on the depth chart. In fact, Johnson, a Division III All-American at George Fox University, planned to redshirt and finish his collegiate career next season. Injuries pressed him into service with five regular season games left. Johnson has emerged as one of Bowman’s favorite targets. Through five games, he has caught 27 passes for 446 yards and a touchdown, including two 100-yard receiving games. His speed and 6-foot-5 frame make him an ideal downfield target.

Other notable wide receivers: Brennan Presley, Rashod Owens, and Jaden Bray

Oklahoma State Defense

Nickolas Martin, Linebacker – First-Team All-Big 12

Nickolas Martin leads the conference with 120 tackles and six sacks. Martin also recorded nine quarterback hurries and broke double-digit tackles five times this season, including 17 in wins over Kansas State and West Virginia. This season served as a breakout year for the redshirt sophomore. Martin played in all 13 games in 2022 but recorded just 15 tackles. The Cowboys lost several key pieces at linebacker, and Martin stepped into a leadership role.

Kendal Daniels, Safety – Honorable Mention All-big 12

Kendal Daniels ranks second on the Cowboys with 90 tackles and two sacks. He racked up double-digit tackles three times and recorded a key interception during the Kansas game. The interception set up a field goal drive to cut Kansas’ lead to 32-30 and helped turn the momentum in favor of the Cowboys.

Collin Oliver, Linebacker – Second Team All-Big 12

A former defensive end and freshman All-American in 2021, Collin Oliver moved to linebacker this offseason. The transition resulted in another award-winning campaign with 68 tackles, five pass break ups, eight quarterback hurries, and four forced fumbles. His 14.5 tackles for loss, including six sacks, rank second on the team behind Martin and fifth in the conference.

Other Notable Defenders: Trey Rucker (Safety), Xavier Benson (linebacker) and Cameron Epps (Safety)

Big 12 Championship Preview: Can Oklahoma State Upend Texas?

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