"Experience is going to help us": Oklahoma State HC Mike Gundy confident his team can navigate tough schedule in the first half of 2024

It definitely won't be an easy start to the 2024 college football season for Oklahoma State. The program is, in many quarters, viewed as the face of the Big 12 following the exit of Texas and Oklahoma but has a tough test to face in the first half of the upcoming season.

The Cowboys will come up against Arkansas, Utah, Kansas State and West Virginia in their first six games. Nonetheless, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy noted after practice on Saturday that the team's experience will play a crucial role in navigating the tough schedule.

He said :

“We have a difficult non-conference schedule. Experience is going to help us in this area – to move forward a little quicker than what we have over the last few years. Which is necessary because we'll need to back off a little earlier in order to get ready to play in the first game.”

Ollie Gordon II to continue his vital contribution to Oklahoma State

Ollie Gordon II brought Oklahoma State's offense to life in the 2023 college football season. The running back rushed for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, earning the Doak Walker Award. After refusing to transfer away from the program, his role becomes more crucial.

Mike Gundy, who hopes he stays fit, has a high expectation for Gordon in every game in the upcoming season.

“The perfect scenario for us would be Ollie to stay healthy all year long and carry the ball 20 times a game," Gundy said. "If that happens, then that means we are successful on offense because we're allowing some other guys to get some carries.”

“I have confidence in the other guys who are going to carry the ball, but I also know the more times that Ollie touches the ball, and we can get guys blocked up it is going to make us a better team."

Oklahoma State defense to get better in 2024

Oklahoma State had an improved defense from what it's known for over the years. While Gundy acknowledged the help it offered last season, he also identified the flaws, which the team is working on ahead of 2024.

“The good news is we have identified what the issues were and now the coaches have to work to fix those issues and find a plan to get the players to understand why that happened and how we can get better and it's honestly not real complicated,” Gundy said.

Claiming the Big 12 championship will be a befitting achievement for the Cowboys in the 2024 college football season. The team lost the championship game to Texas last year and will aim to win it this year, earning a bye in the first round of the College Football Playoff.