The 2025 football season has been one that most Cowboy fans would like to soon forget. The Cowboys return home to Stillwater after a 42-0 beatdown in Lubbock on Saturday, at the hands of the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The loss dropped Oklahoma State to a 1-7 record, thus eliminating them from bowl contention.

Bowl contention? We talkin’ bout bowl contention? (A.I. nod)

The answer is yes, and no. Oklahoma State will miss a bowl game for a second straight year after previously being bowl eligible for the previous 18 seasons. Oklahoma State had a streak of 18 consecutive bowl games appearances, which ended after the 2024 season. The streak began with the 2006 season and Gundy’s Pokes qualified for a bowl game every year until 2024.

Oklahoma State’s season will end on November 29th, after Senior Day in Boone Pickens Stadium, versus the Iowa State Cyclones. The season will end in late November as it did last season, with maybe more Thank God’s than audible groans.

However, there are four games remaining, all in the month of November, and, unfortunately, for the Loyal and True still managing to watch, this Oklahoma State team must still play all four games. That being said, is there a glimmer, shimmer, or sliver of hope in any of the next four gridiron contests, that Oklahoma State can manage, salvage or deliver some silver lining, Hollywood movie style, hail Mary attempt to get back in the win column this season? 

Well, let’s break it down. 

11/1: at the University of Kansas (4-4 overall; 2-3 in conference play)

The Pokes will travel to Lawrence, Kansas this Saturday for a matchup with the Kansas Jayhawks. This, historically, has been an easy win, one you circle as a given. That’s not the case any longer as Lance Leipold has brought the Jayhawks back to life. Kansas, I believe, thought they’d be a dark horse for a Big 12 Championship game appearance this season, but have faltered along the way. If Oklahoma State were to have Hauss Hejny back at the QB position, the Cowboys could give Kansas a run for their money. As much as I’d love to see the Cowboys upset the Jayhawks, I think the chance is much less than a coin flip.

11/15: at home versus Kansas State University (4-4; 3-3 in conference play)

The Kansas State Wildcats are coming off a big win in the Sunflower Showdown against the University of Kansas this past Saturday. If Oklahoma State can’t find a way to make Kansas sweat, I don’t believe they’d be able to take the Purple Cats to the limit, even in Stillwater. The Cowboys will be coming off of a bye week before facing Kansas State though and it is usually a tight and competitive contest when these two teams meet. 

11/22: at the University of Central Florida (4-3; 1-3 in conference play)

The last time Oklahoma State played in the Bounce House, it rained and poured and UCF continued to keep pouring it on the scoreboard. Orlando has not been kind to Oklahoma State, though UCF has not shown very much promise this season. The weather may be nice in Florida in November, but I would be shocked if the box score reflects “sunny and 75” for the Pokes in this one. 

11/29: at home versus Iowa State University (5-3; 2-3 in conference play)

Iowa State and Oklahoma State have had some very chippy and very entertaining games over the years. Iowa State is infamous in Stillwater as the team who kept the Cowboys out of the National Championship game in the 2011 season. Oklahoma State fans have not and will not ever forget that. This game will be the last time the Pokes take the field until they play at Tulsa on September 5th, 2026.

Could Oklahoma State begin and end the year with a win? Poke fans would take a victory in the final game like they’d take a party favor home after a celebration they never really got to attend. 

In conclusion, I don’t believe Oklahoma State will see the win column again in 2025. In a season that showed no real promise, Cowboy fans can begin healing their pride and fandom on November 30. The Cowboys are currently deep in the search for their next head coach and fans can place their hopes in potentially winning college football’s next head coaching lottery.

I know that Santa Claus isn’t likely to bring the likes of Nick Saban to Stillwater for Christmas, but an alternate “Head Coaches I Want For Christmas List” is already ready to hang on my tree.