Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

Oklahoma State Cowboys

2010 Record: 11-2 (6-2), Tied for 1st in the Big 12 South

Returning Starters: Offense (9), Defense (5)

Bowl Result: Beat Arizona in the Alamo Bowl 36-10

Overview: Oklahoma State has been steadily improving since Mike Gundy took over as head coach, either equaling or increasing their win total every year since finishing 4-7 (1-7 in the Big 12) in 2005, Gundy’s first year. Gundy’s impressive run was capped last year with an 11-2 record, the first time the Cowboys have ever won 11 games in a season. In the final game of last season in Stillwater against rival Oklahoma, all the Cowboys needed was one win and they would be in their first ever Big 12 Championship game. But the game ended in a 47-41 Sooner victory after a wild 4th quarter that saw 450 yards of offense and 40 points between the two teams. Although Oklahoma State still finished in a 3-way tie with Oklahoma and Texas A&M for first place in the Big 12 South, the Sooners advanced based on their higher BCS Ranking and ended up defeating Nebraska in the last Big 12 Championship game.

The Cowboys are expected to be even stronger in 2011, as they return almost every contributor from a powerful offense that finished 3rd in the country in total offense, averaging an incredible 520 yards and 44 points per game. Although leading rusher Kendall Hunter graduated, both quarterback Brandon Wheeden and receiver Justin Blackmon returned after briefly considering entering the NFL Draft. Blackmon won the Bilitnikoff award in 2010 as the nation’s top receiver after putting up incredible numbers for the Cowboys. He led the country in receiving yards at 148 per game and in receiving touchdowns with 20, while also finishing second in the country in receptions. Defensively the Cowboys will have to replace leading tackler Orie Lemon but return Andrew McGee, who led the Big 12 in interceptions with five. Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and Freshman All American Shaun Lewis also returns at linebacker, hoping the fill the void left by Lemon.

Key Matchup: Oklahoma State @ Texas A&M, Sept. 24th: Last year’s loss to Oklahoma State in Stillwater ended up costing the Aggies a chance at the Big 12 Championship, and this year’s game could have just as big of an impact on the Big 12 race. This game serves as the Big 12 opener for both teams and Kyle Field is sure to be raucous for this matchup of preseason top 10 teams. While Oklahoma State will be tested in their second game of the season against Arizona, both teams could easily be undefeated going into this matchup. The winner of this game will have a great shot at a BCS bid as either the Big 12 Champion or as the runner up behind favorite Oklahoma. 

Impact Newcomer: Herschel Sims, RB: Sophomore Joseph Randle will start the season at number one on the depth chart and Jeremy Smith should back him up. However it will be difficult to keep the talented Sims off of the field. Sims only ran for 703 yards and five touchdowns in his senior year in high school as he battled injuries, but his junior year Sims exploded for 2,352 yards and 33 touchdowns. His biggest obstacle will be the amount of talent Oklahoma State already has at the runningback position, but it’s likely that Sims will make an impact even with limited playing time.

Coach’s Quotes: “We’re not going to have the opportunity to sneak up on anybody. People are obviously aware of who we are, and so we have to go back and earn our stripes each summer and prepare for kicking it off in September.” – Head Coach Mike Gundy

Michigan State Spartans

2010 Record: 11-2 (7-1), Tied for 1st in the Big Ten

Returning Starters:  Offense (6), Defense (6)

Bowl Result: Lost to Alabama in the Capitol One Bowl 49-7

Overview: A stellar 2010 season ended in a disappointing way for the Spartans, as they were beaten soundly by Alabama in the Capitol One Bowl. However, the rest of the season was a resounding success. Michigan State finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Big Ten, and their 11 wins were the most in school history, repeatedly coming from behind to pull out dramatic victories. Perhaps the most memorable of those victories was a win against Notre Dame that ended with a daring fake field goal that resulted in the game winning touchdown in overtime. Even though Michigan State beat Wisconsin during the regular season, the Badgers still finished as Big Ten Champions after the three-way tie was broken by awarding the championship to the team that finished highest in the BCS standings.

If the Spartans want to repeat their success from 2010, it will start with more of the same balanced offense led by quarterback Kirk Cousins and runningback Edwin Baker. Cousins, who recently delivered an inspiring speech at the Big Ten meetings after being chosen by the Big Ten to speak on behalf of the players, brings a wealth of experience to the position and is already an exceptional team leader. Baker led the Spartans with 1201 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, including 179 yards and four touchdowns against Minnesota. Defensively the Spartans will have to overcome the loss of a pair of linebackers: unanimous First Team All American Greg Jones and the incredibly reliable Eric Gordon (who set a Michigan State record with 48 career starts). The strength of the defense will shift from the linebackers to the line as tackle Jerel Worthy is extremely talented and widely projected to be selected in the first 15 picks of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Key Matchup: Michigan State @ Nebraska, October 29th: With the Big Ten splitting into divisions, Michigan State will not have to worry about competing with traditional powers Ohio State and Wisconsin for a berth in the championship game. However, incoming ex-Big 12 member Nebraska immediately becomes one of the favorites in the Legends Division. The Spartans will have a number of key players to replace on defense and are sure to be tested by Taylor Martinez and the explosive Nebraska offense. Despite how intimidating the Nebraska crowd has been against other opponents, Cousins has enough experience to not let the crowd faze him. If he’s able to lead the Spartans to a victory, they will have a tremendous leg up in the Legends Division’s race to the Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis.

Impact Newcomer: Denicos Allen, LB: Despite mostly playing on special teams last season, Allen was still able to make an impact, registering 14 tackles and blocking a punt that led to the winning touchdown in the Spartans’ game against Purdue. This season, Allen will move from safety to a hybrid linebacker/safety position known as the “star” in Michigan State defensive terminology. What the 5 foot 10, 218 pound Allen lacks in size he surely makes up for in hitting ability, as he has drawn rave reviews in that area from both Spartan players and coaches. He was also a tackling machine in high school, racking up 158 tackles his senior year.  Allen and fellow new starter Max Bullough will be relied upon immediately to fill the void left by Jones and Gordon.

Coach’s Quotes: It’s been a privilege to hear these kids’ questions . . . Like the grade school boy who wanted to know if I wished I were as good as Denard Robinson. I told him, yes . . . but then added . . . ‘I’ve heard Denard’s only wish is that he could run like me.’ The boy looked back at me a little confused, understandably.” – Kirk Cousins, during his speech at the Big Ten meetings in Chicago

Previous Team Previews:
Nebraska and Iowa
Missouri and Penn State
Texas Tech and Michigan
Kansas State and Northwestern
Iowa State and Purdue
Texas and Minnesota
Kansas and Indiana
Baylor and Illinois