STILLWATER – Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has been praised throughout the season by Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy, by his players, by the media, and by OSU fans, many of which questioned his hiring after his first season or two on board the Cowboys staff.
Knowles defense has been the primary ingredient to a 10-1 season so far that has the Pokes in the Big 12 Championship Game regardless of the outcome of Bedlam this Saturday. The Cowboys are playing for high stakes as they are still in a strong position to make the College Football Playoff and should be ranked no lower than seventh when the latest rankings are released on Tuesday night.
Knowles defense is No. 3 in Division I in totla defense allowing an average of 267.8-yards a game. They are second in scoring defense allowing an average of 14.9 points a game. Opposing teams are rushing for an average of just 85.8-yards a game. The Cowboys are tops among Division I defenses in both team sacks and third down conversion defense.
Oklahoma State is fresh off a shutout of Texas Tech in a 23-0 win. That was the first time the Red Raiders had been shut out home since Arkansas back in 1987 in a Southwest Conference game.
OOSU starting safety Tanner McCalister said last week if Knowles doesn’t win the Broyles Award then they should quit giving it.
The 15 semi-finalists are:
Arkansas – Cody Kennedy, Offensive Line
Baylor University – Jeff Grimes, Offensive Coordinator / TEs
Cincinnati – Mike Denbrock, Offensive Coordinator / TEs
Houston – Doug Belk, Assoc. Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator / Safeties
Ohio State University – Kevin Wilson, Offensive Coordinator
Oklahoma State – Jim Knowles, Defensive Coordinator
Ole Miss – Jeff Lebby, Offensive Coordinator / QBs
Pittsburgh – Mark Whipple, Offensive Coordinator / QBs
Texas A&M – Mike Elko, Defensive Coordinator / Safeties
University of Georgia – Dan Lanning, Fain & Billy Slaughter Defensive Coordinator / OLBs
University of Iowa – Phil Parker, Defensive Coordinator / Def. Backs
University of Michigan – Josh Gattis, Offensive Coordinator / WRs
UTSA – Jess Loepp, Co-Defensive Coordinator
Wake Forest – Warren Ruggiero, Offensive Coordinator / QBs
A selection committee of distinguished former head coaches, broadcasters and a committee representing the FWAA narrowed the list of nominees to 15 semi-finalists. Five finalists will be selected from the list of semi-finalists then an overall winner.
