STILLWATER – The preseason trudges on as we inch closer and closer to Oklahoma State’s season opener against UT Martin on August 28. The newest preseason prediction list has been announced in the former of the USA Today/AFCA Coaches Poll.
While the Cowboys weren’t ranked, or receiving votes for that matter as they’ll have to regain everyone’s trust after last season, there are four of the Pokes’ opponents ranked.
- Texas
- Ohio State
- Penn State
- Georgia
- Notre Dame
- Clemson
- Oregon
- Alabama
- LSU
- Miami
- Arizona State
- Illinois
- South Carolina
- Michigan
- Ole Miss
- SMU
- Florida
- Tennessee
- Indiana
- Kansas State
- Texas A&M
- Iowa State
- BYU
- Texas Tech
- Boise State
Baylor is receiving 76 votes, good for 31st, and Kansas 49th with six votes.
The Cowboys travel up to Oregon on September 6 for a showdown with the seventh-ranked Ducks. It’s possible the Ducks could move up a spot following their win over Montana State in the season opener based on someone losing ahead of them, but will most likely still be ranked seventh.
There will be ups and downs this season, with teams falling out of the rankings and jumping up into them. So, it’s possible the Pokes’ Big 12 opener against Baylor could be against a ranked Bears squad.
I’m not sure any other opponent on the Pokes’ schedule will be ranked by the team the ball is teed up, other than possibly Kansas, depending on whether or not Jalon Daniels can stay healthy.
Can the Pokes get ranked by the end of the season? It’s going to be fun to watch the ride.
The Associated Press will release its preseason poll next Monday at 11 a.m. CT.
