#11 Oklahoma State Cowboys Season Preview

Can Justin Blackmon win back to back Biletnikoff Award’s for Oklahoma State after winning last year’s 2010 Biletnikoff Award?

Offensive Outlook: Quarterback Brandon Weeden returns for his senior campaign.  Weeden may play in a gimmick offense, but he posted outstanding numbers.  Weeden had 4,277 passing yards, 34 passing touchdowns, completed nearly 67 percent of his passes, and averaged 329 passing yards per game.

Oklahoma State has a very strong pass blocking offensive line.  Oklahoma’s pass blocking offensive line all starts with left tackle Nick Martinez and right tackle Levy Adcock.  Left tackle Nick Martinez is Weeden’s blindside while right tackle Levy Adcock is Oklahoma State’s top NFL prospect on the offensive line.  Martinez and Adcock may be the best bookend tandem in the country.

The interior offensive line can pass block well too Left Guard Jonathan Rush is one of the best pass blockers on the interior offensive line.  Center Grant Garner and right guard Lane Taylor also pass block well.

Oklahoma State is turning into an NFL factory for receiving targets.  2009 tight end Brandon Petigrew went in the first round, 2010 Dez Bryant went in the first round, Justin Blackmon could have gone pro after this season.

Blackmon will likely be a top 10 top 15 pick in 2012.  Blackmon is Oklahoma State’s primary flanker receiver after a career campaign where Brandon Weeden threw 42 percent of his passes to Blackmon.  Blackmon recorded 111 receptions for 1,782 receiving yards, and 20 receiving touchdowns.  Blackmon also averaged 16 yards per catch and nearly 149 receiving yards a game.

Senior wide receiver Josh Cooper is a guy who can step up this year if Blackmon gets double teamed by secondaries.

Oklahoma State’s offensive line will do a solid job run blocking for Joseph Randle.  Punter Quinn Sharp can pin opponents deep near their own end zone if Oklahoma State struggles to convert on 3rd down.

Defensive Outlook: Oklahoma State has a strong pass defense. The Cowboys have the pass rushers and the secondary to give opposing quarterbacks problems.

Jamie Blatnick is the Cowboys 4-3 right end while Richetti Jones is the 4-3 left end.  Both defensive ends are balanced ends who can rush the quarterback and stuff the run.  Blatnick led the Cowboys with 5.5 sacks while Jones is graded out as the higher 2012 NFL Draft Prospect.

If you thought the pass rush was bad just wait until you have to throw to this secondary.  Oklahoma State Brodrick Brown and Devin Hedgepeth are the starting cornerbacks.  The safeties in this secondary are really good too with Johnny thomas playing free safety and Markelle Martin playing strong safety.

Prediction 10-2: I think Oklahoma State is due for two losses against Texas A&M and Oklahoma.  The other games on their schedule are the Cowboys to lose.