 National rank: 38th
Offensive backfield
Mobile, athletic quarterback Tony Lindsay passed for 1,172 yards and ran for 564 last season to win Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors. His backup, Chris Chaloupka, actually has a stronger arm but doesn't have Lindsay's leadership skills. The duo should allow Bob Simmons to redshirt highly touted freshman Matt Holliday. The Cowboys have a lethal one-two punch at tailback with the nifty-running Jamaal Fobbs and strictly north-south runner Nathan Simmons, each of whom averaged more than 70 yards rushing a game. Both fullbacks return as well.
Offensive line
These Cowboys ride tall in the saddle. At 6-4, 274 pounds, right guard Adam Davis is the runt of the litter, but he doesn't back down from anyone. Dependable Jeremy Offutt is an old hand at center in a line that was responsible for the nation's 10th-best rushing attack. Huge newcomers Andrew Golembiewski at tackle and Jorge Arceo at guard are expected to blend in immediately.
Receivers
Oklahoma State's top receiver was a tight end who played in only seven games, but those were enough for now-departed Alonzo Mayes, who had half of the team's 14 passing touchdowns. Garrett Steggs doesn't have near the power of Mayes and is only an average blocker, but he could develop into a decent receiving threat. If not, he could give way to redshirt freshman Marcellus Rivers, who had a terrific spring. Willie Grissom and big-play man Sean Love combined for 26 catches, with Love catching the only touchdowns (two) by an OSU wide receiver last year.
Defensive line
The Cowboys were stingy against the run in '97 and should be again. Tackle Cortney Mallory can push upfield but lacks the height to knock down passes. Alton Weaver has bulked up at end. The team needs a better pass rush-no player had more than the 311/42 sacks of Jamal Williams, who left early for the NFL. Andrel Waddle (end) and Zac Akin (tackle) could be the other starters.
Linebackers
An area of strength got stronger with the arrival of Troy West, the nation's top JC linebacker recruit. Finding a place for him could be the problem. Kenyatta Wright runs as well as any linebacker in the league and had 72 stops, 10 of them behind the line. Raymond Cato, one of 11 academic casualties last August, has regained his eligibility; he led the team with 119 tackles and 13 stops for negative yardage two years ago.
Secondary
OSU will be as strong at safety as it will be suspect at corner. Free safety Ricky Thompson paced a defense that picked off a Big 12-high 15 passes last year. Strong safety Trent Alexander can blitz with the best of them. Evan Howell could be one of the starting corners. The other cornerbacks in the mix will be J.B. Flowers, who started two years ago before sitting out with poor grades, Chris Carter and converted wide receiver Marcus Jones.
Special teams
Tim Sydnes has a great leg but was erratic on field-goal attempts. Russell Schwettmann, who will handle the kickoffs again, and Seth Condley will duel for the punting job if left-footed freshman Scott Elder doesn't take control. Auditions begin in August to find R.W. McQuarters' replacement on kickoff returns.
Schedule
The Cowboys face only five teams that had winning records last year, and only two of those are on the road. They'll move a home game with Nebraska to Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium and net $1.3 million to meet gender equity demands. OSU also plays a pair of 98-pound weaklings in Tulsa and Southwestern Louisiana.
Coaching
Bob Simmons' teams have improved in each of his first three seasons, and last year's 8-4 club came within an eyelash of claiming the Big 12 South before losing back-to-back overtime games to Missouri and Texas A&M.; Quarterback coach Ron Calcagni runs the offense, while Rob Ryan and Johnny Burnett are co-defensive coordinators.
Outlook
Oklahoma State hasn't enjoyed back-to-back winning seasons since 1987-88, but there's no reason it shouldn't happen now. Simmons' program has lapped archrival Oklahoma and should pick up where it left off.
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