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2002 Cowboy Outlook August 31, 2002 by Justin Waganer Senior Sports Writer
Since the departure of Barry Sanders in 1988 the OSU Cowboys have managed just one winning season, 1997. Aside from that 8-4, Alamo Bowl season the Pokes had little to cheer for until the monumental 16-13 upset of Oklahoma to end 2001. Can they build off of that win?
Oklahoma State has a talented stable of running backs including Tatum Bell and Seymore Shaw if they can remain healthy long enough to produce. Josh Fields looks to be the guy at quarterback, but expect to see Aso Pogi get some time. Both are drooling to throw to All-America candidate Rashaun Woods.
Defensively, Elbert Craig and Chris Massey anchor a solid defensive backfield while Khreem Smith is the star of the D-Line. Terrence Robinson seems to be reliable at his "mike" linebacker position, but Paul Duren must prove himself on the field. The Special Teams will help the defense with Luke Phillips and Cole Farden putting them in good position.
The schedule is tougher than the past few years with Nebraska, Kansas State, and UCLA being added and don't forget about an improved SMU ball-club. The key is following a big win with a victory, for example, build on the OU win with a win at La. Tech, build on a UCLA upset with a win over SMU.
August 31 at La. Tech- This is a huge game for the Cowboys if they are talking bowl, but Tech is no slouch. La. Tech-23 OSU-20
Sep. 7 vs. Northern Iowa- This will be the chance for OSU to unload on a team that Baylor could beat. OSU-52 NIU-17
Sep. 14 vs. UCLA- The Cowboys will prove how much tougher the Big 12 style is than the Pac 10 in an upset. OSU-30 UCLA-21
Sep. 21 vs. SMU- People will be surprised at SMU as a solid football team under Phil Bennett, but OSU wins a good one. OSU-24 SMU-14
Oct. 5 at Texas- Chris Simms and Co. will put on their annual Pre-Red River Rivalry show with a big win. Texas-28 OSU-10
Oct. 12 at Kansas State- Kansas State is tough in Manhattan and will win in the fourth quarter. K-State-33 OSU-21
Oct. 19 vs. Nebraska- Les Miles breaks down another Big 12 barrier, for the first time since 1961. OSU-35 Nebraska-31
Nov. 2 vs. Texas A&M- Texas A&M catches Oklahoma State still celebrating the Nebraska victory. A&M-21 OSU-17
Nov. 9 at Texas Tech- Is it just me or does it seem like the Red Raiders always knock off the Pokes? TT-31 OSU-24
Nov. 16 at Kansas- Mark Mangino makes it a losing streak against OSU. OSU-41 Kansas-21
Nov. 23 vs. Baylor- Everybody say it with me now, Baylor sucks. OSU-48 Baylor-14
Nov. 30 vs. Oklahoma- The Cowboys bring back shades of 2001 in the first half, but falter in the second. OU-31 OSU-17
This is a team that has the chance to go every bit of 7-5 or every bit of 4-8. The games of importance are La. Tech, UCLA, SMU, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech. Both Techs are on the road, but are winnable the others are winnable home games.
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