Oklahoma State still hasn’t cracked the preseason Top 25 in any major poll, but the Cowboys are drawing more respect than they were a year ago - and that alone says plenty about where outsiders think this program is headed.
The latest sign came Wednesday, when CBS Sports unveiled its Top 138 and left Oklahoma State outside the Top 25. Even so, the Cowboys landed at No. 44 in the preseason rankings, which is a notable jump in perception after last season’s 1-11 finish and coaching change.
That number matters more when you stack it against where the program stood at the end of 2025. ESPN’s final SP+ rankings had Oklahoma State at No. 121 out of 136 FBS teams. It’s not a direct comparison, but it does underline the same point: analysts see a team that looks far better on paper entering this season.
Oklahoma State also wasn’t included among CBS Sports’ biggest movers, but the Big 12 landscape around the Cowboys was still instructive. Texas Tech checked in at No. 8, followed by BYU at No.
16, Utah at No. 24, Houston at No.
26, Arizona at No. 30, TCU at No.
31, Kansas State at No. 34 and Arizona State at No. 41.
That left Oklahoma State ninth among Big 12 teams in the ranking.
There’s a chance for OSU to change that picture on the field. The Cowboys will face Texas Tech, Houston, Kansas State and Arizona State this season, giving them a direct shot at proving they belong higher in the league hierarchy.
A big reason for the optimism is what new head coach Eric Morris has done since taking over in December after leading North Texas to the American Conference championship game. He leaned hard into the transfer portal, bringing in nearly 90 transfers, including nearly 20 from his former school.
Among the North Texas additions are quarterback Drew Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins and wide receiver Wyatt Young, all of whom were nationally ranked performers at their positions last season and are expected to give the Oklahoma State offense a boost.
The preseason polls still aren’t showing much love for the Cowboys. The USA Today Coaches poll had them receiving votes, the NFF-FWAA Super 16 gave them one vote, and the Associated Press preseason poll is due next week with a ranking still looking unlikely, though votes remain possible.
But for a program trying to reset after a rough season and get its fan base behind a new coach, even modest outside belief counts. Oklahoma State may not be a preseason headline team yet, but the early rankings suggest the rest of the country thinks the Cowboys are heading in a better direction.
In Other News...
David Taylor Just Turned Up The Heat On Penn State
David Taylor is still setting the table for Oklahoma States biggest matches while the Cowboys get ready for a busy stretch to open the season. The first-year head coach said the program is prepared for any Penn State meeting whenever the Nittany Lions want it, and Oklahoma State is even leaving one date open each year in case the heavyweight showdown ever gets on the schedule. He also offered a few timely updates, including the Cowboys season-opening tournament on Nov. 1, the added year of eligibility for heavyweight Konner Doucet and a lower-bowl season-ticket sellout at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
There is also plenty happening beyond the headline rivalry chatter. Landon Robideau and Dreshaun Ross have qualified for the U20 World Championships in Slovakia, giving the Cowboys more international representation as the new season approaches. Still, the Penn State angle is the one that hangs over Taylors comments, especially with Oklahoma State looking to keep pushing for marquee duals that would carry real weight for the program and its fans. [Read more 🡒]
Caleb Hawkins Faces A New Oklahoma State Question This Fall
Caleb Hawkins came into Oklahoma State media day with a rsum that already turns heads, even before he takes a snap for the Cowboys. The running back set the FBS freshman touchdown record at North Texas, and now he is settling into a new role in Stillwater with a coaching staff that sounds intent on protecting him as much as featuring him.
Head coach Eric Morris said Hawkins carried a heavy load last season, and Oklahoma State has since brought in additional running backs to help spread the work around. The plan is to use a deeper, more varied backfield to keep Hawkins fresher and create better matchup opportunities, which could change the shape of his numbers even if it helps the Cowboys as a whole. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State Just Added A Homecoming Showcase Fans Will Circle
Before the regular season even tips, Oklahoma State has lined up a preseason slate that should give fans an early look at the mens basketball team in a setting that feels a little more meaningful than the usual tune-up. The Cowboys will host three Division I exhibition games, with New Mexico, Tulsa and Wisconsin all coming to Gallagher-Iba Arena as part of the build toward November.
The date that stands out most is Oct. 23, when Tulsa comes to Stillwater for a Homecoming showcase. The exhibitions come after the NCAA opened the door for teams to play three Division I exhibition games, and Oklahoma State is taking full advantage of the opportunity while details for the game-day experience are still to come. [Read more 🡒]