Oklahoma State Football: Winners and Losers from Cowboys' 1st Month

The Cowboys’ first month of the season has been a good one for most. Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon have proven that last year was no fluke, and the Cowboys are off to a 4-0 start. However, not everyone has benefited equally so far. There have been winners and losers just like on any squad.

It is very difficult to find losers on a team that is having so much success right now, but it isn’t impossible. Most of the players on this list that are classified as “losers” would probably not consider themselves as such or even be disappointed at all with the seasons they are having. They are merely guys who, in my opinion, have been negatively impacted by the events of the first month of the season.

So sit back, relax and let me tell you who’s winning and who’s losing.

Winner: Brandon Weeden

The 27-year-old senior is one of the nation’s leaders in passing yards and is now 8-0 in his career in road games after the Cowboys’ win over Texas A&M on September 24^th. Weeden went 47-60 for 438 yards and two touchdowns.

That game is one of the biggest reasons Weeden is a winner after this first month. It put him into the national conscience as a possible Heisman contender.

Loser: Oklahoma State Defense

Despite forcing four turnovers in the second half against Texas A&M, the Cowboy defense has to be one of the losers of the first month of this season.

They rank 76^th in the nation in points allowed, averaging 27.5 per game. Despite the fact that they’ve forced eight interceptions and gotten 11 sacks, the Cowboys must do a better job of stopping people in order to get national respect.

Winner: Mike Gundy

He’s a man, he’s 44 and he may just be one of the best coaches in the country.

Gundy is a pure example that the alumni-turned head coach formula can work. He’s won 51 games so far in his tenure at Oklahoma State, capping that off with a school-record 11-win season last year. That 51-game mark puts his winning percentage as a head coach at 64 percent (77 percent in the last four seasons).

Gundy has taken the Cowboys from worst place to first place in the Big 12, and although he still hasn’t won a Big 12 championship, one would have to assume that it isn’t far off.

This season has just reaffirmed what Oklahoma State fans have been hoping for: Gundy is the man to lead them to the promised land.

Loser: Justin Blackmon

Upon a first glance, you may think this is a dumb choice. But “read” me out.

Blackmon has 38 catches for 450 yards and four touchdowns this year. Great, right? However, he’s actually on pace to have over 300 less receiving yards than last season.

Why? It’s a combination of two factors. First of all, defenses are keying on Blackmon like it’s nobody’s business. It’s a testament to how great of a player he is that he’s been able to have the season he has had so far. Secondly, Oklahoma State is a very talented team across the board. They have really solid receivers and running backs who have taken some of the touches that went to Blackmon last year. It helps that he draws coverage away from those guys and gets them open.

He’ll still have a great year worth Biletnikoff and Heisman consideration, but it probably won’t be as prolific as last year.