Oklahoma State Football: 10 Presents the Cowboys Hope to Find Under the Tree

The Oklahoma State Cowboys are Fiesta Bowling and hope they'll get a win as a late Christmas gift.

But the Pokes have a few more specific gifts that they are hoping they'll get around this time of year.

Whether it is continued defensive success or good young talent to replace the guys they have leaving, there will be plenty of things Santa will be trying to make for the Cowboys.

Here are 10 things he needs to get them.

A New Contract for Mike Gundy

In what you would think would be the no-brainer of the year, Oklahoma State and Mike Gundy are currently in contract talks. Gundy, who has won 40 games in four years, wants a 10-year extension, according to the Tulsa World.

OSU's athletic director, Mike Holder, and other officials are apparently reluctant to grant such a request, according to the same source.

This needs to get done so it doesn't take away enthusiasm from the first BCS bowl game in OSU history.

An Intact Coaching Staff

The only thing as consistent as the winning in the Oklahoma State program the past few years has been the loss of several assistants to head coaching jobs.

Former offensive coordinator Larry Fedora left for Southern Mississippi and is now at North Carolina. Tim Beckman, a former defensive coordinator, left for Toledo and is now at Illinois. Dana Holgorsen stayed at OSU for a year before being hired at West Virginia.

This year, offensive coordinator Todd Monken has been rumored for the Tulane, Illinois, Houston and Southern Mississippi jobs.

Meanwhile, special teams coordinator and associate head coach Joe DeForest is now being rumored as a serious candidate for the head coaching job at Houston.

The Cowboys' coaching staff has been too fluid for too long. Mike Gundy has probably already written a letter to Santa about it.

A Replacement for Brandon Weeden

Senior quarterback Brandon Weeden has been a huge part of the Cowboys' recent climb from good to great. He's thrown for 8,605 yards and 68 touchdowns in two seasons as the starting quarterback.

Waiting in the wings to replace him are redshirt freshman J.W. Walsh, junior Clint Chelf and incoming freshman Wes Lunt.

No one really has an inkling about who will assume starting duties in the spring. Walsh is a dual-threat quarterback who would change the offense. Chelf knows the offense, but isn't as talented as the others. Lunt will be just out of high school.

The Cowboys could use a clearer picture as to who will the "the guy."

More Turnovers

The Cowboys forced 42 turnovers this season, but they're hoping the rich will get richer.

Oklahoma State has a defense predicated on forcing those turnovers to make up for the yards they give up at times. If they are going to continue to win, they'll need those turnovers under the tree, especially when they play against Andrew Luck.

Stagnant Rivals

Let's be honest: Oklahoma State's rise to fame has coincided with a downturn in the Texas program and a bit of one in that of Oklahoma.

It would be naive to think the Cowboys' success didn't have anything to do with these developments. The Pokes can only hope that the two powerhouses will stay down.

Maybe Santa can help them out with that.

Defensive Playmakers

Oklahoma State is losing many of their defensive playmakers to graduation this year. Both starting defensive ends, Jamie Blatnick and Richetti Jones, are seniors, along with star free safety Markelle Martin.

The Cowboys need younger guys to step up in these positions. Turnover-wise, they are three of the most crucial positions on the field, as the ends pressure quarterbacks and the safety ball hawks.

Forget the two front teeth, the Cowboys want two pass-rushers and an outfielder.

More of Pickens' Money

T. Boone Pickens has donated more than $400 million to Oklahoma State University.

A little more couldn't hurt.

The bulk of what he's donated has been used to renovate the football stadium and basketball arena, but the project still isn't done. The Cowboys are still building practice facilities and improving on the best facilities in the country.

A little gift from Santa Pickens would definitely be accepted.

A Bowl Win

Oklahoma State needs a bowl win against the Stanford Cardinal. If this program is going to continue upward into the college football elite, they need a Fiesta Bowl victory.

The bad part is that Andrew Luck is asking Santa for the same thing. Both can't have it.

We'll see who has been naughty and who has been nice on Jan. 2.

Better Punt Returns

Oklahoma State's primary punt returner is Josh Cooper. Cooper has averaged just 3.5 yards per punt return this season.

That isn't good enough.

This deficiency has been masked by the Cowboys' explosive offense. They've been able to score on long drives all season. That will be more difficult against a Stanford defense that has been preparing for it for a month.

Cooper needs to return the ball better, or the Cowboys need to get someone else in there.

A New Hat for Pistol Pete

Pistol Pete has been a good boy. He's led the fans in their cheers very well and deserves some credit for the fantastic season his team has had.

Throw in a hat for him, Santa.