A few days from now, none of it will matter. All of the speculation from fans, analysts, media members, and anyone else, everything that's been said about Oklahoma State figures to become somewhat of an afterthought as the Cowboys start what could be a rebuilding season.
Oklahoma State takes on coach Jimbo Fisher and Florida State in the season-opener.
It won’t matter whether Pokes coach
Mike Gundy mentions who will, or won't, start at quarterback. It won’t matter how
Glenn Spencer’s defense is shaping up after losing seven starters. And it won’t matter what people expect from
Tyreek Hill, or from many others on the team.
Because in a few short days, the Cowboys will finally step on the turf inside AT&T Stadium and play the season opener against No. 1 Florida State on national television. Games don't get much bigger than this one. Especially to start the year. All eyes will be on the Pokes, to be sure.
The Seminoles, on the other hand, are the returning national champions. And, of course, the team of the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. Oklahoma State opened as a 17-point underdog, to that end. That said, here's some info to get a better idea of where the Seminoles stand.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jameis Winston has probably been on the minds of the Pokes since he led his team to a title. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound redshirt sophomore passed for more than 4,000 yards on a 66.9-percent completion rate this past season, tossing 40 touchdowns to 10 picks in the process.
It’s going to be hard to stop Winston, especially with his protection up front. Florida State does, after all., return four starters from last year’s offensive line. The lone replacement is Austin Barron at center, a senior who has five career starts and played in 12 games last season.
The only way the Cowboys might be able to limit the Seminoles’ prolific passing attack is by jamming and frustrating the receivers. Florida State returns Christian Green and Rashad Greene from last year, but Isaiah Jones is academically ineligible. Winston has plenty of weapons.
Jesus “Bobo” Wilson is trying to work back from suspension and on to the field, but Florida State coach
Jimbo Fisher would not confirm whether Wilson would be declared eligible in time for Saturday’s game. As soon as we receive more news, we'll pass along the information.
At running back, the Cowboys will have their hands full with Karlos Williams, who rushed for 730 yards for an average of 8 yards per carry in 2013. With an experienced offensive line ahead of him, Williams could spell trouble if he makes it past the front four of Oklahoma State.
The woes won’t be as bad on offense. Still, the Seminoles allowed just 12.1 points per game last season. Mario Edwards, Eddie Goldman and Nile Lawrence-Stample are back up front and will be a tall task for Pokes offensive line coach
Bob Connelly, in his first year with the unit.
Three of four starters in the secondary return for the Seminoles in Ronald Darby, P.J. Williams and Jalen Ramsey. The Seminoles intercepted 26 passes last year, leading the nation. Whoever the Cowboys put at quarterback the majority of the day, that signal-caller is in for a tough test.
COACHES CORNER
Gundy isn’t the only coach with a lot of wins in a short span. Fisher is by far better in that category. Since taking over in 2010, he has gone 45-10 (.818), won two conference championships and made double-digit win totals in three of his four years at the helm. Don’t forget his 4-0 bowl record, two in BCS games. Fisher knows how to coach, and he has the significant edge in this matchup.
OVERALL OUTLOOK
The Cowboys have been hard at work in the spring and they’ve continually gotten better in the fall. It appears as if things are heading in the right direction. But there’s not much they’ll be able to do against Florida State unless everything goes right for the Pokes and wrong for the Seminoles. Even then, it’s still highly unlikely an upset is in sight. Prediction: Florida State 52, Oklahoma State 24.
