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Will Pokes Be Favorites for Big 12 South in 2003? by Justin Waganer Senior Sports Columnist December 4, 2002
Oklahoma State football took another massive stride to respectability on Saturday, but don't think they are going to stop there. If Rashaun Woods stays true to his word and doesn't jump to Sundays before his Senior campaign, should the Pokes be considered a legit contender for the South Crown?
The thought of having his two brothers on campus with him next year coupled with the thought of shattering every Big 12 receiving record known to man should be good incentive to keep Woods in Stillwater. Besides the fact that he will be a legit Heisman candidate and avoid what is looking to be a pretty strong draft year for big receivers, but who knows when those millions start flying around?
Now let's look at the Big 12 South pre-season for 2003. Oklahoma- replacing offensive star Quentin Griffin and starting a new quarterback. Texas- new quarterback and several possible draft casualties. Texas A&M- new coach, even if it is Franchione, it's tough to win big in year one unless you're at Miami. Texas Tech- replacing Kingsbury at QB and possibly Mike Leach. Baylor- forever mired in the toilet.
Now throw in surging Oklahoma State, fresh off a bowl and a second straight win over Oklahoma with a starting quarterback returning with all his backfield returning, a superstar in Rashaun Woods on one side his brother D'Juan on the other, and Billy Bajema at Tight End. There are holes and gaps on defense, but the offense may be so good that an average defense will do.
Now look at the schedule in conference after the four very winnable games out of conference. At Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Baylor then home for Kansas State, Texas, Texas Tech, and Kansas. At A&M and Oklahoma are certainly challenging, but they won at OU last year and A&M is definitely winnable. Baylor is a gimme and with the Nebraska game being moved to August 30, winning in Lincoln is possible.
Oklahoma State appears to be moving in the right direction and picking up speed in the process. With wins over Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma this year and near wins over La. Tech and Texas the Cowboys are an inch from being 9-3 and headed to the Big 12 Title game, who's to say with the rest of the South taking a slight dip in 2003 that the Pokes don't jump up and snatch a title?
Sound crazy? Didn't it sound crazy for OU to think of a Big 12 Title game after the tremendous 5-6 campaign in 1998? Or Colorado to drudge up back-to-back North Titles after a 3-8 2000 season?
Les Miles and Co. have seriously out-coached Oklahoma two years in a row and will have great experience heading into Norman next year, who's to say that Les Miles isn't to Bob Stoops what Bob Stoops is to Mack Brown? Now with a big-time quarterback recruit coming in and talent growing around them, these guys might be here for a while.
As Oklahomans, what more could you possibly want? The glory day battles in the mid-to-late 1980s were too short lived due to probation, now maybe those days are returning. Whether your blood is crimson or orange you'd have to admit, doesn't that sound great? "Opportunities multiply as they are seized."- Sun Tzu
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