After a dominant season that saw Texas Tech rack up a dozen wins - each by at least 20 points - secure a Big 12 title, and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff, the Red Raiders are riding high under head coach Joey McGuire. Momentum is on their side, and the program isn’t just sitting back and enjoying the view. They’re recruiting aggressively, hitting the transfer portal with precision, and stacking talent like a team that’s serious about staying at the top of the Big 12.
But staying on top is never easy - especially in a conference that’s evolving rapidly. Next season, the Red Raiders won’t just be the hunted; they’ll be the measuring stick.
And one of the teams looking to close the gap? Oklahoma State, now under the leadership of Eric Morris.
Morris, who made a name for himself with his high-tempo, innovative offensive schemes, has taken over in Stillwater and brought a wave of change with him - including a sizable chunk of the North Texas offense. That’s not just about system familiarity; it’s about importing a culture of execution and explosiveness that could make the Cowboys a real problem in the Big 12 sooner than expected.
College football analyst David Pollack is buying into the buzz. On his podcast, Pollack pointed out that Oklahoma State’s new-look roster - thanks in large part to the transfer portal - is loaded with players who already know Morris’ system inside and out. That continuity could be a game-changer.
“This has a chance to now be something special,” Pollack said, highlighting the offensive firepower that Morris has brought with him. It starts with a quarterback who’s being talked about in 5-star terms, and continues with Caleb Hawkins - the national touchdown leader - and Wyatt Young, one of the most electric young receivers in the country. That’s not just talent; that’s chemistry, and it could allow Oklahoma State to hit the ground running in 2026.
Pollack didn’t shy away from setting expectations either. He floated the idea of an eight-win season as a realistic target, but made it clear that the ceiling could be much higher. “In the Big 12, they’ve got a chance to do something special,” he said.
For Texas Tech, this means the road to another conference title might be a little bumpier than last year. The Red Raiders are still the team to beat - no question - but Oklahoma State is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing challengers in the league. With a new coach, a revamped offense, and a roster full of players who already know how to operate in Morris’ system, the Cowboys could be one of the biggest wild cards in the Big 12 race.
Bottom line: keep an eye on Stillwater. Texas Tech might be the reigning champ, but Oklahoma State is gearing up to make some noise.