Oklahoma State Football’s 2017 Non-Conference Schedule Ranked Ninth Toughest

I know it is a long way off yet, but Mike Gundy and the Oklahoma State Cowboys were ranked as having the ninth toughest non-conference schedule for the 2017 season.

Chris Low of ESPN looked at all the teams and picked the ten toughest. Oklahoma State was one of two Big 12 teams in the rankings, the other being Texas with the fourth toughest.

9. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Sept. 2: Tulsa
Sept. 9: at South Alabama
Sept. 16: at Pittsburgh

The Cowboys kick off the season with Tulsa, who doesn’t sound like a big matchup, but they are sneaky good. In their bowl game last year, Tulsa annihilated the team from the MAC that will not be named 55-10. They also finished tied for sixth in the nation in scoring offense at 42.5 points per game. The Cowboys could be in for a shootout at the Stillwater Corral earlier than they had anticipated.

Up next, the Cowboys go to South Alabama.

SB Nation

Yeah, they beat Mississippi State last year, but I’m still not worried. Maybe I should be though, as I remember what happened last year.

Finally, the Pokes will travel to Pennsylvania to finish their home-and-home series with Pitt. Pitt has the toughest non-conference schedule according to the article, and I think it will be our toughest game. Remember the weather-delayed battle in the trenches last year?

As I just mentioned, Pitt has the toughest non-conference schedule in college football next season.

1. Pitt Panthers

Sept. 2: Youngstown State
Sept. 9: at Penn State
Sept. 16: Oklahoma State
Sept. 30: Rice

It’s good to see Mike Gundy not just scheduling all cupcakes. A conference loss or two may be able to be salvaged in the Playoff picture by having a strong showing in non-conference play. (Am I right Ohio State?) I like this non-conference schedule. Now if only we can get basketball to adopt the same philosophy....