Oklahoma State Ready for Bowl Clash With Wisconsin

We’re just a little more than 24 hours before Oklahoma State takes the field against the Wisconsin Badgers in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl out in Phoenix, Arizona. As you’ve seen from our exclusive coverage on Pokes Report the last week, the Cowboys have had a week full of great practices, practices in which some of the new players in the 2023 signing class have been introduced at.

The last practice ahead of the game, which kicks off Tuesday evening at 9:15 p.m. CT, concluded in the afternoon on Christmas day, which set up for the first media availability with players and head coach Mike Gundy since arriving in Arizona.

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“We’re looking forward to tomorrow night’s game against Wisconsin,” coach Gundy said on Monday afternoon. “Our players are excited. We’ve got our work in, so now we’re looking forward to a visit to the stadium little bit later today, a good night’s sleep and find a way to kill a little time tomorrow and excited about playing tomorrow night.”

One of the key factors of this game is one that’s been talked about a lot over the past few weeks as both teams will be without its starting quarterback and multiple starters on both sides of the ball.

Coach Gundy was asked about the team’s preparation going back to before they left for the bowl game as all of the players who entered the portal have been replaced in the starting lineups.

“Really it goes back three weeks,” coach Gundy said of the preparation for the bow game. “Our guys have practiced really well. Their enthusiasm’s been good and with all the uncertainty now with things that go on, I really stood back and watched. I was kind of curious as to the reaction of our team. They had really good practices at home and then obviously out here, they’re very excited. Our routine has been the same for a number of years, so they know exactly what to expect and they had an opportunity to enjoy the surroundings and the area. Then we practiced really well and had a lot of enthusiasm. So, I think our guys are in a good position and are ready to play.”

On the other side of things, Wisconsin’s dealt with not only players leaving, but also having to handle a change at head coach. Luke Fickell, who was set to join the Big 12 next season with Cincinnati joining the Big 12, is now the head coach at Wisconsin.

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“The maturity is probably the number one thing that jumps out at me,” Luke Fickell said of his team’s preparation. “From just sitting down with a few of these guys the first few days, the true culture, the love and the commitment to one another, that doesn’t change. That doesn’t change no matter who’s sitting up here, or who’s standing in front of the room, or who’s leading the program. The reality is the locker room is very strong and their ability to be pros and handle all these things they’ve had to go through this entire season. Obviously, they’ve been through a lot, and I mean that just with different leadership and different things that have gone on.”

Another aspect of the game for both teams, especially Oklahoma State, is trying to finish the season on a high note with a win. The Cowboys finished the season going 1-4 in the last month of football, including a loss to West Virginia on Senior Day.

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“I think just leaving on a win like that, whatever you’re doing, it feels good,” Jason Taylor II said of what a win over Wisconsin would mean. “You’re not leaving with a bad taste in your mouth and that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to go win this game and there’s obviously a bunch of guys who will be back next year. So, just for the guys coming back, I think that’s the most important part of winning this last game.”