Oklahoma State was one of five Big 12 Conference teams to grab a spot in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 Rankings on Aug. 12, coming in at No. 17.
The Cowboys return most of their starters from 2023 after they went 10-4 and finished the season No. 16 in the final AP Poll after defeating Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl.
The other four teams from the Big 12 to make the Top 25 were No. 12 Utah, No. 18 Kansas State, No. 21 Arizona and No. 22 Kansas. Georgia was ranked No. 1 followed by No. 2 Ohio State, No. 3 Oregon, No. 4 Texas and No. 5 Alabama. Defending national champion Michigan was at No. 9.
Oklahoma State is led by star junior running back Ollie Gordon II, who returns after winning the Doak Walker Award and rushing for over 1,700 yards in 2023. The Cowboys open the season on Aug. 31 at home against two-time defending FCS national champion South Dakota State.
21 days until Oklahoma State Cowboy football
— BuffalOKstate (@BuffalOKstate) August 10, 2024
#21 Barry Sanders…. there’s countless highlights to choose from, but here’s a 67 yard TD run in the 1988 Holiday Bowl. Barry won the Heisman that season with 2628 rushing yards and 37 TDs in 11 games. #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/y6HspcVj22