2026 Oklahoma State Football Preview
Jake Wimberly
Abby Boyd Contributing-
What’s to like:
Oklahoma State should have a strong group of linebackers, giving the defense some experience and athleticism in the middle of the field. That group should be capable of making plays against both the run and pass while helping keep the defense organized. Strong linebacker play could be especially important as the Cowboys continue trying to rebuild the defense.
Oklahoma State also has plenty of experience within the program. Having veteran players who have already played significant college football should help the Cowboys navigate difficult stretches of the schedule. That experience gives Oklahoma State a better chance of remaining competitive while younger players continue to develop.
What’s not to like:
Roster depth remains one of the biggest concerns for Oklahoma State. The Cowboys don't have the same amount of experienced talent as some of the Big 12's top programs, meaning injuries could have a major impact on the season.
The defense also needs to become more consistent. Oklahoma State has struggled to prevent opponents from putting together long drives, and that puts additional pressure on the offense. Until the defense becomes more reliable, the Cowboys could have trouble keeping pace with the conference's better teams.
What does the Hourglass say?
Oklahoma State- Big 12 (9-3)
Power ranking 67.29.
2026 Oklahoma State Analytics
National recruiting rating (three year metric): #23- outside the boundary of a National Championship Roster.
National Coaching Ranking:
Eric Morris- 39th in Power 5 and 7th in the Big 12.
2026 coaching value= 18.9 (average 2026 Power 5 coaching value=21.93) Collin Klein is ranked lower of the pack for coaches in the Power 5.
Quarterback Play: Drew Mestemaker- ranked 11th in the Power 4, 1st in the Big 12; 2026 QB value=43.8 (Power 4 average- 26.43).
Impact Ball Catcher Metric: Oklahoma State has an Impact Ball Catcher Metric of . This puts the Cowboys at the lower tier for the Big 12 in this metric.
Final Thoughts:
Oklahoma State enters the season with experienced linebackers who could become one of the team's biggest strengths. That experience gives the Cowboys something to build around, but questions about roster depth and defensive consistency remain. Oklahoma State will need younger players to step up quickly if it wants to compete with the deeper teams in the Big 12.
2026 Schedule analysis:
Projected Hourglass W/L record: Games in red denote games that could be a one possession game or even a different outcome than projection.
9/5/26 At Tulsa- Win
9/12/26 Oregon- Loss
9/19/26 Murray State- Win
9/26/26 At West Virginia- Win
10/10/26 UCF- Win
10/17/26 At Houston- Win
10/24/26 Colorado- Win
10/31/26 At Iowa State- Win
11/7/26 At Kansas State- Loss
11/14/26 Texas Tech- Loss
11/21/26 At Arizona State- Win
11/28/26 Kansas- Win
