Teams:

• Arizona
• Arizona State
• Baylor
• BYU
• Cincinnati
• Colorado
• Houston
• Iowa State
• Kansas
• Kansas State
• Oklahoma State – At bat
• TCU – On deck
• Texas Tech – In the hole
• UCF
• Utah
• West Virginia

Portal Team Rankings:

• On3: Big 12 6th | National 22nd
• 24/7 Sports: Big 12 2nd | National 15th
• The Athletic: A-

Via AI:

• Enai White (DL): A former elite high school recruit who started his career at Texas A&M and Penn State, the high-ceiling defensive lineman brings major length and disruptive pass-rush potential to the front.
• Isaiah Chisom (LB): A seasoned transfer from UCLA with heavy starting experience, projected into an immediate starting role in the middle of the defense.
• Markeith Williams (S): A late-summer addition from Miami who brings high-level athleticism, confidence in man coverage, and Power Four pedigree to the secondary rotation.
• Ayo Adeyi (RB): A proven playmaker transferring from James Madison who provides a shifty, dynamic rushing threat and veteran production to the backfield mix.
• Jacob Sexton (OT): A crucial in-state/rivalry transfer arrival from Oklahoma expected to stabilize and anchor the left tackle spot on a rebuilt offensive line.

Via The Athletic:

Top players added: QB Drew Mestemaker (North Texas), RB Caleb Hawkins (North Texas), WR Wyatt Young (North Texas), WR Justin Bowick (Illinois), DL Jerry Lawson (Louisville)
It’s not easy to rebuild a Power 4 roster quickly, but general manager Raj Murti and coach Eric Morris did a quality job in large part by bringing 16 players with them from their 12-win North Texas team last season. The Cowboys signed 10 players who started at least six games at FBS programs last season, including the star quarterback (Mestemaker), running back (Hawkins) and receiver (Young) with the Mean Green. They also picked up five defensive starters from other FBS programs and nine rotation players with more than 100 snaps in 2025. There really is nowhere to go but up in Stillwater. The Cowboys finished last in the Big 12 in scoring offense and defense and yards per play on both sides of the ball. Reaching a bowl game in 2026 would be a huge accomplishment.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly:

Deion Sanders’ Colorado in 2023. Curt Cignetti’s Indiana in 2024. Bill Belichick’s North Carolina in 2025. Each offseason, a new coach swoops into a new job, signs loads of transfers and commands a lot of the space in my head because I just can’t figure out how and where to set the bar. My track record is pretty good — I thought Indiana would exceed expectations (OK, yes, I thought that meant they would threaten to reach 6-6), and I thought Colorado and North Carolina absolutely wouldn’t — but I’m struggling mightily with Oklahoma State this year because I just can’t stop thinking they’re going to be really damn good this season.

Yes, Oklahoma State, the team last seen going 1-11 with its worst squad in more than 60 years. And also the team that just signed a new head coach who brought half of last year’s No. 1 offense with him.

There’s more at the link.

Team Recruiting Rankings:

• On3: Big 12 15th | National 67th
• 24/7 Sports: Big 12 16th | National 70th

Via AI:

• KD Jones (Running Back): Hailing from Jenks, OK, he is one of the highest-rated in-state recruits in the class, bringing explosive speed and playmaking ability to the backfield..
• Braeden Presley (Safety): An elite, local talent from Bixby, OK, known for his incredible athleticism and versatility on both sides of the ball.
• Jani Weir (Wide Receiver): An exciting receiver out of Sammamish, WA, who adds speed and reliable hands to the Cowboys’ passing attack.
• Jabarie Thornton (Wide Receiver): A promising wideout from Waco, TX, who provides a tall and physical target.
• Landon Bland (Edge): A talented edge rusher from Carthage, MO, adding much-needed size and pressure-generating ability to the defensive line.
• Broderick Vehrs (Quarterback): A strong-armed quarterback from Chandler, AZ, brought in to help lead the offense into the future.

Big 12 Power Rankings

• ESPN’s Bill Connelly: 8th in the Big 12
• CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah: 8th in the Big 12
• The Big Lead: 9th in the Big 12
• Desert News’ Brandon Judd: 9th in the Big 12

AI Projection: What is the outlook for Oklahoma State Cowboys football for 2026?

The Oklahoma State Cowboys enter the 2026 season amid a massive roster and coaching overhaul, aiming to bounce back from a difficult 1-11 campaign. New head coach Eric Morris has essentially rebuilt the team, bringing in dozens of transfers including standout quarterback Drew Mestemaker to ignite the offense.

2026 Season Outlook & Expectations

The Turnaround: Analysts consider Oklahoma State the biggest “wild card” in the Big 12. With nearly 90 newcomers on the roster (many following Coach Morris from North Texas), the team has high upside but faces the challenge of building quick chemistry.

Projected Win Totals: Most preseason oddsmakers and college football publications set the team’s over/under win total at 5.5 to 6 games, with ceiling projections predicting a 7-win season and a potential bowl game appearance.

Offensive Spark: The offense is expected to see a massive upgrade. Drew Mestemaker, who led the nation in passing yards and touchdowns last year, brings highly anticipated firepower. He will be heavily supported by standout running back Caleb Hawkins.

Defensive Questions: While the offense is viewed as a high-octane threat, the defense remains the primary concern heading into the season. The coaching staff will need to see rapid improvement in third-down stops and overall cohesion to secure tight conference wins.

Key Schedule Highlights

Non-Conference: The schedule kicks off on the road against Tulsa, followed by a highly anticipated home matchup against national powerhouse Oregon on September 12.

Conference Play: The Cowboys open Big 12 action on the road at West Virginia on September 26. Later in the year, they host marquee home matchups against UCF, Colorado, and Texas Tech.