Big 12 State of the Union:  Oklahoma State

Money can do a lot to help a football program. And thanks to Boone Pickens (and some other big donors), the Cowboys have plenty of it. Their team has the resources to compete with the better teams in the Big 12 and in recent years has done more winning than losing. But they haven't had a season of a 70% or better win percentage since Barry Sanders was in the backfield.

Oklahoma State's strength under Mike Gundy has been the offense. But many have wondered how much of that credit should go to Gundy and how much to now departed offensive coordinator Larry Fedora. The Cowboys made a nice showing against Indiana without Fedora but can they continue to light up the scoreboard in his absence? They'll have most of the offense back in 2008 to find out.

The defense has been another story. The Cowboys gave up 38 points or more six times last season. Now they lose seven senior defensive starters to graduation, including most of the front seven.

With Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas Tech on the schedule every year it's going to be difficult for the Cowboys to snag the South division crown. They also go toe-to-toe with Missouri in 2008 along with Colorado. Can they continue to tread water in positive win-loss territory or will they again sink into losing territory?

If all goes right, the Cowboys could win eight to nine games in 2008 which would be a step forward for Mike Gundy and his staff. There might be some pressure for quick improvement as Oklahoma State has seemingly altered their recruiting strategy to bring in more junior college players. Seven have already signed letters of intent for 2008

You'd expect 2008 to reveal a lot about where the Cowboys are headed. Can they become relevant in the Big 12 title chase or will they continue to play spoiler and end up in another minor bowl game? One would suspect they are still a year or two away, but by avoiding a step backward in 2007 they appear ready to take one forward in 2008.