Cowboys poised to make title run

Oklahoma State is a somewhat fashionable pick to not only capture the Big 12 championship but advance to the College Football Playoff.

The second ambition could require the Cowboys to beat Bedlam rival Oklahoma twice, a tall order considering the Sooners are the consensus choice to repeat as Big 12 champions. The league restored its championship game, beginning this season, and will pit the top two teams to advance from the round-robin format the Big 12 has used since contracting to 10 teams in 2011.

Offensive firepower is the primary reason to tout Oklahoma State, especially when offensive production is the primary mission for most Big 12 programs.

“I don’t see any reason to hide that on offense we should be really good,” said Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy, “and our players should expect that. They’ve worked hard and been demanding (of teammates) and should play very well early in the season.”

Two standouts who spurned early entry into the NFL return to form one of the nation’s top pass-catch combos — quarterback Mason Rudolph, a 4,000-yard passer, and wide receiver James Washington, the only Big 12 returnee among nine 1,000-yard receivers last year.

Coming off a 10-3 finish, which included a mistaken ruling that gave Central Michigan a last-second victory, the Cowboys also have other experienced threats.

Junior Jalen McCleskey is a fearless slot receiver capable of different dimensions. Sophomore Justice Hill established himself as the Cowboys’ top rusher as a freshman with 1,142 yards.

While the offense is well-stocked, including a more experienced line, the defense must be solid. Typically, the Cowboys attempt to achieve that goal by winning the turnover battle; they finished last season with a plus-11 margin.

Senior linebacker Chad Whitener provides leadership in the middle, and the Cowboys should also be solid off the edge rushing quarterbacks. Without applying pressure, though, their inexperienced cornerbacks could be severely tested. Senior safeties Tre Flowers and Ramon Richards are returning starters.

One of the defense’s top contributors is junior Zach Sinor, a punter adept at pinning opponents deep.

As for the schedule, that Bedlam matchup against Oklahoma falls on Nov. 4 at home.

“We need to be effective and score points and be productive in the red zone from a touchdown standpoint, and not turn the ball over,” Gundy said. “When we’ve had success at Oklahoma State, we’ve been very good in turnover margin. That’s really important.”

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: QB Mason Rudolph — Actually, this is a combo deal considering that two key players, Rudolph and WR James Washington, returned for their senior seasons in spite of the possibility they could have been first-round draft picks. Rudolph has a complete grasp of the system after taking over full-time as the Cowboys quarterback last season and passing for 4,091 yards and 28 touchdowns, with only four interceptions. His play and leadership will key a potential CFP run.

BREAKOUT STAR: CB A.J. Green — The sophomore gained valuable experience last year as a true freshman when he played in nine games while learning from experienced cornerbacks. Green received praise for his aggressive nature from QB Mason Rudolph, who knows from practice situations. If Green can maintain fundamentals but also develop into a threat to intercept passes, he will fit the mentality of the OSU defense, which is predicated on creating takeaways.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH: OT Aaron Cochran — Joined the Cowboys as a graduate transfer from Cal, where he logged 16 starts while blocking for throwing quarterbacks Jared Goff and Davis Webb. Cochran was instructed to lose 10 pounds when he reported at Oklahoma State, but he has actually dropped 30 from his 6-8 frame. His experience could prove invaluable, especially if he is situated at left tackle and providing blind-side protection for QB Mason Rudolph.