OMAHA, Neb. -- Oklahoma State never has been a factor in Big 12 football, but the Cowboys are doing their best to change that.

The No. 21 Cowboys go into this week's home game against Texas A&M unbeaten and with lots of mojo. They have their first Top 25 ranking in four years, a head of steam built from scoring 55 points or more in three straight games and a fan base that's perking up.

Oklahoma State hasn't had much staying power on the national scene since Barry Sanders and Hart Lee Dykes starred in Stillwater during those 10-win seasons of the 1980s in the old Big Eight.

With a massive facilities project to be completed in 2009, thanks largely to the generosity of megabooster T. Boone Pickens, the Cowboys are positioning themselves to challenge Oklahoma and Texas.

This week's national rating is a sign of the progress.

"I'm excited for the Oklahoma State people," coach Mike Gundy said on Monday's Big 12 coaches' teleconference with reporters. "The fans and players have worked hard and the administration has been committed here. We've had a plan in place for several years, and we've got a ways to go. We're taking steps each day, each game, each year in accomplishing our goal."

The school has set a record by selling 40,000 season tickets, and a single-game record crowd of 52,463 showed up for Saturday's 55-24 win over Troy.

Oklahoma State has the nation's top ground game, the third-leading rusher in Kendall Hunter, No. 3 scoring offense, fourth-most efficient passer and a defense that's been good enough to beat the likes of Washington State, Houston, Missouri State and Troy.

"I was amazed Oklahoma State wasn't rated until this week. That's because they haven't beaten notable teams," Texas coach Mack Brown said. "We've seen Oklahoma State for the last couple years, and Missouri and Kansas got all that credit. Oklahoma State is going to be right in the mix of a lot of things."

Oklahoma State, which has never finished higher than third in the South Division, must go on the road to play Missouri, Texas and Texas Tech. The Cowboys play top-ranked rival Oklahoma at home.

Boone Pickens Stadium has been expanded to 60,000, and the program will move into what Gundy touts as the "best facility in college football" in nine months.

"The people involved are stepping forward and there is a strong commitment for the first time in the history of Oklahoma State football," Gundy said. "That's just a fact." [/if zcontent] [if "[zcontent]" equals ""]

By ERIC OLSON

Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. -- Oklahoma State never has been a factor in Big 12 football, but the Cowboys are doing their best to change that.

The No. 21 Cowboys go into this week's home game against Texas A&M unbeaten and with lots of mojo. They have their first Top 25 ranking in four years, a head of steam built from scoring 55 points or more in three straight games and a fan base that's perking up.

Oklahoma State hasn't had much staying power on the national scene since Barry Sanders and Hart Lee Dykes starred in Stillwater during those 10-win seasons of the 1980s in the old Big Eight.

With a massive facilities project to be completed in 2009, thanks largely to the generosity of megabooster T. Boone Pickens, the Cowboys are positioning themselves to challenge Oklahoma and Texas.

This week's national rating is a sign of the progress.

"I'm excited for the Oklahoma State people," coach Mike Gundy said on Monday's Big 12 coaches' teleconference with reporters. "The fans and players have worked hard and the administration has been committed here. We've had a plan in place for several years, and we've got a ways to go. We're taking steps each day, each game, each year in accomplishing our goal."

The school has set a record by selling 40,000 season tickets, and a single-game record crowd of 52,463 showed up for Saturday's 55-24 win over Troy.

Oklahoma State has the nation's top ground game, the third-leading rusher in Kendall Hunter, No. 3 scoring offense, fourth-most efficient passer and a defense that's been good enough to beat the likes of Washington State, Houston, Missouri State and Troy.

"I was amazed Oklahoma State wasn't rated until this week. That's because they haven't beaten notable teams," Texas coach Mack Brown said. "We've seen Oklahoma State for the last couple years, and Missouri and Kansas got all that credit. Oklahoma State is going to be right in the mix of a lot of things."

Oklahoma State, which has never finished higher than third in the South Division, must go on the road to play Missouri, Texas and Texas Tech. The Cowboys play top-ranked rival Oklahoma at home.

Boone Pickens Stadium has been expanded to 60,000, and the program will move into what Gundy touts as the "best facility in college football" in nine months.

"The people involved are stepping forward and there is a strong commitment for the first time in the history of Oklahoma State football," Gundy said. "That's just a fact."

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1 comment(s) found!

Posted by: miller58 On: 9/30/2008

Comment Title: The Ag Spin Machine says "We are improving each week"!
My personal opinions: A&M would have 7 of the minimum 10-15 difference makers we must have, if we had improved each week. Starting with those 7, then 5* safety Loston decommitted to Clemson and our weekly improvement was down to six difference makers. Then 5* rb Michael decommitted to anybody else, and our weekly improvement was down to five difference makers. Then 4* Wade decommitted to Baylor, and our weekly improvement was down to four difference makers. Now 4* linebacker stewart is visiting Alabama, so will our weekly improvement soon be down to three difference makers ? miller58. Just say "NO" to season tickets until A&M signs 14 difference makers some future February!
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