If you had told a die-hard Pokes fan in mid-September that Oklahoma State football 2023 would end with a Big 12 Championship appearance and 10 wins, they’d have probably asked what you were drinking. Honestly. Things looked bleak. Like, "fire everyone and start over" bleak.
After a humiliating 33–7 home loss to South Alabama and a frustrating drop to Iowa State, the Cowboys sat at 2–2. The offense had no rhythm. The defense looked porous. Mike Gundy was rotating three different quarterbacks—Alan Bowman, Gunnar Gundy, and Garret Rangel—like he was trying to find a matching pair of socks in a dark room. It wasn't just bad; it was confusing.
Then, everything changed. One guy got the ball more often, and the entire season flipped on its head.
The Ollie Gordon II Explosion
You can’t talk about Oklahoma State football 2023 without talking about Ollie Gordon II. It’s basically illegal in Stillwater. After getting only 19 carries total through the first three games, the coaching staff finally leaned into the sophomore.
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The results were historic.
Gordon didn't just run; he punished people. He finished the year leading the nation with 1,732 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. He took home the Doak Walker Award and was a unanimous All-American. He was the engine. When the Cowboys beat No. 9 Oklahoma in the final scheduled Bedlam game (a 27–24 thriller), it was Gordon’s 138 yards and two scores that paved the way.
Why the Quarterback Carousel Finally Stopped
Alan Bowman eventually locked down the starting spot, providing a veteran presence that the team desperately needed. While his stats—3,460 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions—weren't necessarily "Heisman-level," he provided the stability to let the run game work. He was a gunslinger who wasn't afraid to throw into tight windows, for better or worse.
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- Brennan Presley became the ultimate security blanket, catching 101 passes for nearly 1,000 yards.
- Rashod Owens emerged as a legitimate deep threat, especially late in the season.
- The offensive line, led by veterans like Cooper Abbott, finally gelled after a rocky September.
That Ridiculous Big 12 Title Run
The road to Arlington was anything but smooth. After the Bedlam win, the Cowboys got absolutely smoked by UCF (45–3). It was one of those "burn the tape" games. Most teams would have folded, but this squad was weirdly resilient.
They bounced back to beat Houston and then survived a double-overtime heart-stopper against BYU to clinch their spot in the title game. It was pure chaos. One minute they looked like world-beaters, the next they were struggling to get a first down. But they kept winning.
The Texas Speed Bump
Look, the Big 12 Championship game against Texas was rough. The Longhorns were on a mission for the College Football Playoff, and Quinn Ewers played a near-perfect game, throwing for 452 yards. Texas’s massive defensive line, featuring T’Vondre Sweat, completely neutralized Ollie Gordon, holding him to just 34 yards.
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The 49–21 loss stung, but it didn't define the season. It just showed the gap between a very good team and a playoff-caliber roster.
Winning the Texas Bowl and Hitting 10 Wins
Ending the year on a high note matters. In the Texas Bowl, Oklahoma State faced off against Texas A&M. Even with the Aggies missing players to the portal and injuries, it was a physical battle.
Alan Bowman aired it out for 402 yards. Rashod Owens had a career night with 164 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Brennan Presley tied a school record with 16 catches. When the dust settled, a 31–23 victory gave the Pokes their 10th win of the season.
Lessons From the 2023 Campaign
- Identity matters: The team didn't find its soul until they committed to the ground game.
- Portal stability: Getting Alan Bowman was a massive win, even if it took time to click.
- The Gundy Factor: Love him or hate him, Mike Gundy knows how to stabilize a sinking ship. He has a knack for these "rebuilding" years that end up with double-digit wins.
If you’re looking to apply the lessons of the Oklahoma State football 2023 season to your own sports analysis or even team management, focus on identifying your core strength early. The Cowboys wasted three weeks trying to be a "pass-by-committee" team before realizing they had a generational talent in the backfield. Don't overthink the obvious.
For fans, the next step is keeping an eye on the returning production. With the 12-team playoff era now here, the 2023 season proved that even a disastrous start doesn't mean the dream is dead. You just need a workhorse, a little luck in Bedlam, and the grit to survive a few blowouts along the way.