Where OSU Ranks in Notable Preseason Polls

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are fresh off of a 10-3 season and a trip to the Allstate Sugar Bowl. While many would consider this season a success, there are parts of the Cowboy faithful who consider this a disappointment when they consider the way the season ended. Headed into 2016, the Cowboys' rankings fall all over the board. Here's what some of the most notable preseason polls think about the Cowboys in 2016.

Campus Insiders

Campus Insiders writer Pete Fiutak recently placed the Cowboys at #10 in his preseason poll. Fiutak placed TCU at #22, Baylor at #5 and OU at #4.

This is what Fiutak had to say about OSU's 2016 season:

"If 2014 was a rebuilding season, and 2015 was a retooling and sharpening one, 2016 could be a monster. Star DE Emmanuel Ogbah is leaving early for the NFL, but almost all the key parts are back on defense, the running game should be fantastic behind a line that welcomes back all five starters, and QB Mason Rudolph is a rising star."

ESPN

ESPN's Mark Schlabach released a poll immediately off of the heels of the 2016 National Championship. ESPN had the Cowboys at #22, right behind Washington State and UCLA.

Here's what Schlabach had to say about the Cowboys:

"Outlook: The Pokes closed the 2015 season with three straight losses, and they'll have to get better in the running game if they're going to challenge Baylor, Oklahoma and TCU in the Big 12 this coming season. QuarterbackMason Rudolph returns to lead a high-powered offense, along with five starting offensive linemen and top receiver James Washington. Pass-rushing star Emmanuel Ogbah will be missed on defense, but seven starters are expected back. OSU's Big 12 road schedule will be daunting with trips to Baylor, Kansas State, TCU and Oklahoma."

Bleacher Report

In Bleacher Report's recent 2016 preseason poll, writer Ryan McCrystal placed the Cowboys at #18. McCrystal notably placed Oklahoma and Baylor at #2 and #3, respectively;  fellow Big 12 team TCU was also ranked at #23. Another Bleacher Report writer Daniel Rogers made his own preseason poll and placed the Cowboys at #8, ahead of Baylor, who he placed at #13.

Orlando Sentinel

The Orlando Sentinel has Oklahoma State as #5 in their preseason Top 25 rankings for the upcoming 2016-2017 season. Writer and reporter Matt Murschel placed a total of three Big 12 teams in his Top 25, with Oklahoma at #2 and Baylor at #10.

Here's what Murschel had to say about the Cowboys:

The Buzz: The Cowboys return just about everyone on the offense, including the entire offensive line as well as quarterback Mason Rudolph and running back Chris Carson. The defense returns as many as eight starters and the schedule features tough road contests against Baylor, TCU and Oklahoma.

The Cowboys will be returning starters, yes, but there is still work to do. Who will be right? Will Murschel be saying "I told you so" by next season's end, or will the more standard 15-25 ranking prove more accurate? We'll have to wait another year to see.