Brett Yormark: The Big 12 Needs the Best Version of Oklahoma State Football

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FRISCO, Tx – With Oklahoma State taking the stage on day two of Big 12 Media Days, we spent a lot of time talking to various players and coaches across the league to find out what their thoughts on Oklahoma State football are after the Pokes went 0-9 last fall. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark was the highlight of the morning as he took the stage to give his preseason State of the Conference speech. 

Every player or coach we talked with had nothing but great things to say about the Pokes. Kansas State coach Chris Klieman said Mike Gundy was one of the best coaches in all of college football. All the players said they expect the Cowboys to be back to winning games.

However, Pokes Report met with Yormark Monday night while we were picking up our credentials. He gave one of the best quotes about the Cowboys we’ve heard since arriving in Frisco.

“For the Big 12 to be the best it can be, we need the best version of Oklahoma State in football.”

It doesn’t get much better than that when you’re talking about a conference trying to find and maintain its place in the ever-changing landscape of college football. The Big Ten and the SEC are trying to control how the CFP is shaped. 

Earlier this spring, the Big 12 announced its in favor of a 5+11 model. On Monday morning, Yormark doubled down on that sentiment. 

“Speaking of the CFP, we continue to believe the 5+11 model proposed by the Big 12 and the ACC is the right playoff format for college football. We want to earn it on the field. We do not need a professional model because we are not the NFL. We are college football, and we must act like it. There is nothing in sports like college football and we must protect what makes it special and do what's right for the fans and the game.”

Circling back, can the Cowboys have the same success both Arizona State and Colorado have had in the transfer portal? The Pokes brought in more than 40 players across the winter and spring transfer portals. While I don’t expect any ground-breaking information on Wednesday, I’m eager to hear from Mike Gundy on how bringing in almost an entirely new team, as well as trying to get an entirely new coaching staff comfortable.