College Football 2011 Schedule: 5 Most Critical Games on Oklahoma State's Slate

By basically returning everyone from a team that has the best season in school history last year, the Oklahoma State Cowboys have put themselves on the national radar and into the top tier of the Big 12 (10?) Conference.

However, the Cowboys have one of the toughest schedules in the country, with many keys games that will be tough to win. Here are their five most important opponents this season.

5. Arizona, Sept. 8th

This game will set the tone for the entire season. Arizona is a respectable program coached by Mike Stoops that rose as high as No. 9 in the nation last season. They return a veteran quarterback in Nick Foles and a big-play wide receiver, Juron Criner.

This game isn’t getting much buzz, probably because of the 36-10 beatdown the Cowboys put on the Wildcats in last year’s Alamo Bowl. While OSU will definitely be favored to win, it won’t be an easy game.

The Wildcats are talented, and if OSU can put them away convincingly once again, it will set off their season in the right way.

4. Missouri, Oct. 22nd

Missouri, much like Oklahoma State, is one of those up-and-coming programs that is beginning to gain national attention as a consistently good program.

Many are discounting the Tigers because they lost quarterback Blaine Gabbert to the NFL, but those people don’t realize that Mizzou is also returning 17 starters from a team that went 10-3 last season.

But Oklahoma State is returning 15 starters from an 11-2 team and needs to win games like these on the road if it wants to continue up the college football tiers.

It will be a tough conference game, but it is one the Cowboys need to win.

3. Texas, Oct. 15th

Oklahoma State beat Texas for the first time in over a decade last season and, even though Texas was down and out, it was still an impressive win on the road in Austin.

Texas will be better this year and are always talented. Oklahoma State will have to play well and limit their mistakes if they want to win.

Ultimately, the Cowboys will want this game to become a quarterback battle, since their biggest advantage will be Brandon Weeden’s experience and efficiency over whoever Texas ends up starting (cross your fingers for Gilbert again).

2. Texas A&M, Sept. 24th

This early conference matchup will set the stage for who has the best chance of upsetting Oklahoma and taking the conference crown. Last season, it was this game that put one of the finals nails in the starting coffin of Jerrod Johnson, whose late fourth quarter interception was key in the Cowboys win.

Ryan Tannehill is a pretty big step up for the Aggies at quarterback, especially now with more experience at the position. The Aggies are as loaded as OSU at the skill positions, which should make for a very intriguing offensive battle.

It’s at Kyle Field, which will be tough for the Cowboys. But they won their two seasons ago with a less talented team, and they will be hoping their increase in talent and experience since then will carry them over a very talented A&M team.

1. Oklahoma, Dec. 3rd

This is always the biggest game, right?

It is always Bedlam when these two in-state rivals meet and this season looks to be no different, with both being ranked in the preseason top 10.

While the venue being in Stillwater does lend an advantage to OSU, the Sooners have proven they can win there, winning last year in a classic Bedlam game 47-41.

This will be by far the toughest test of the season. OU is ranked on top for good reason, and OSU will need to play transcendent football to win. Coach Gundy getting his first win as a head coach over the Sooners depends on it.