Eric Morris says Oklahoma State may have “won the press conference” this offseason, but preseason accolades mean little to him. As the Cowboys prepare to finally take the field, Morris believes Drew Mestemaker’s preparation has him ready for the jump to the Power Four level.
Oklahoma State has generated plenty of attention without playing a game under Eric Morris.
The Cowboys have been mentioned as a potential Big 12 dark horse, quarterback Drew Mestemaker has received national attention after following Morris from North Texas and optimism has quickly returned to Stillwater following a massive offseason roster overhaul.
Morris has noticed. He just doesn't believe any of it matters yet.
"I told the players the other day, I don't really care about preseason accolades," Morris said. "It is what happens after the season."
Morris joked that Oklahoma State "won the press conference" during an offseason in which the program generated excitement by rebuilding its roster through the transfer portal. But after inheriting a team that finished 1-11 last season, Morris knows positive headlines don't guarantee the Cowboys have actually fixed anything.
That's why his message entering Saturday's season opener against Tulsa has consistently centered on preparation, handling adversity and proving everything on the field.
One player Morris doesn't seem concerned about handling those expectations is Mestemaker. The quarterback enters his first season at the Power Four level after throwing for 4,379 yards and 34 touchdowns last season at North Texas. Rather than viewing the increased competition as a reason for concern, Morris believes Mestemaker's preparation has him ready for the challenge.
"He's handled prep so well, and that's what Coach Brophy has done," Morris said.
Offensive coordinator Sean Brophy has worked alongside Morris throughout Mestemaker's development and previously helped coach Chandler Morris at North Texas.
Morris credited Brophy with creating a quarterback meeting room that builds confidence and gives his quarterbacks ownership within the offense. That includes Mestemaker having the freedom to make decisions himself.
"There are some plays where he has to make a decision between these four plays, and he picks the one he likes," Morris said.
That responsibility requires more than arm talent. Mestemaker has spent multiple seasons learning Morris' offense, and that familiarity allows him to understand what the Cowboys are trying to accomplish before the ball is snapped.
Morris believes that mental preparation has been one of the biggest reasons Mestemaker has developed so quickly.
"He's always prepared well, which is why he's had so much success early," Morris said. "So I don't see that changing."
The challenge certainly is changing. Mestemaker is moving from the American Conference to the Big 12 and will now be asked to lead one of the most closely watched rebuilds in college football.
Oklahoma State won't have to wait long to see how its new quarterback handles that increased pressure. After opening against Tulsa, the Cowboys host Oregon in Week 2.
But Morris isn't interested in what anyone thinks Oklahoma State or Mestemaker could become. For a program that spent the offseason generating optimism, the opportunity to finally prove it begins Saturday.
The Cowboys may have "won the press conference." Now they have to win football games.
