The Oklahoma State Cowboys entered the 2025 season with a bleak record: a 1‑11 overall finish and an 18‑game winless streak inside the Big 12. After two years of mounting losses, the university turned to Eric Morris, a coach who had previously revived the North Texas program, to lead a comprehensive rebuild.
Morris arrived with a clear mandate: overhaul the roster and instill a new competitive identity. He brought in nearly 90 new players, among them about 20 transfers from his former school, aiming to inject experience and depth that the previous staff could not provide.
Early projections suggest the Cowboys could finish the regular season at 8‑4 overall and 6‑3 in conference play, a turnaround that would return them to bowl eligibility and put them back in the conversation for a Big 12 title.
Non‑Conference Openers
Tulsa was the first test, and the Cowboys were favored to win 38‑21. The victory was framed as a showcase of Morris’s offensive schemes, which emphasize a balanced attack and a more aggressive defensive front.
A Test Against Oregon
Against Oregon, analysts predicted a 44‑34 loss, citing the Ducks’ depth and the lingering question of whether the new talent could translate into game‑changing performances against a Power Five opponent.
Dominance Over an FCS Opponent
Murray State proved to be a mismatch, with the Cowboys projected to dominate 67‑10, underscoring the disparity in talent and the effectiveness of the new recruiting class.
Early Conference Battles
West Virginia’s quarterback uncertainty set the stage for a narrow 31‑27 win for Oklahoma State, highlighting the continuity at the quarterback position led by Drew Mestemaker.
A matchup with UCF highlighted the emergence of running back Caleb Hawkins and the debut of transfer quarterback Alonzo Barrett III, who together were expected to produce a 38‑28 victory.
Houston entered the schedule as a formidable opponent, and predictions placed the Cowboys on the losing side 31‑21. The Cougars’ consistency at key positions and the addition of Oregon transfer Makhi Hughes were cited as decisive factors.
Colorado’s expectations had risen, but the Cowboys were projected to prevail 41‑27, leveraging a stronger offensive line and a defense that had improved under Morris’s scheme.
The game against Iowa State was expected to be a thriller, with a last‑minute touchdown drive by Drew Mestemaker delivering a 28‑27 win despite a revamped Cyclones coaching staff.
Kansas State’s competitive quarterback battle between Drew Mestemaker and Avery Johnson was projected to decide a 33‑30 victory for the Cowboys, highlighting the depth at the signal‑caller position.
Texas Tech’s high‑powered offense was expected to edge out Oklahoma State 47‑44, with a last‑second field goal preserving the lead and keeping a potential Big 12 title run alive.
Arizona State, under new head coach Kenny Dillingham, was forecast to defeat the Cowboys 31‑20, capitalizing on a let‑down after a previous loss to Texas Tech.
The regular season concluded with a home game against Kansas on Thanksgiving weekend, where the Cowboys were projected to win 38‑21, using the home crowd to fuel a final push.
The anticipated turnaround reflects a broader shift in how the program approaches talent acquisition and coaching philosophy, suggesting that the next few years could see the Cowboys re‑establish themselves as a consistent contender in the Big 12.