Pro Football Focus adds Oklahoma State into their Way-Too-Early Top 25 for the 2026 college football season - Is it justified?
In PFF’s way-too-early top-25 rankings for the 2026 college football season, Oklahoma State sneaks in at No. 25 after a dismal 1-11 campaign in 2025, the worst in Power Four history.
Skeptics might scoff, but this placement isn’t just hype…it’s a bold but justified nod to a program poised for a dramatic rebound under new head coach Eric Morris.
While expectations should be tempered given the depth of last year’s struggles and the challenges of integrating a massive roster overhaul, the Cowboys have all the ingredients to crash the rankings and prove they belong.
Morris, plucked from North Texas where he built a competitive offense, has wasted no time injecting life into Stillwater.
His coaching staff hires scream ambition and continuity. He brought in offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Sean Brophy, a sharp play-caller known for explosive schemes, and defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity, who promises to shore up a unit that hemorrhaged points last season.
Other key additions include associate head coach/special teams coordinator Drew Svoboda (from North Texas), running backs coach Patrick Cobbs, linebackers coach Reggie Johnson, cornerbacks coach Julian Wilson, and defensive backs coach Jordan Malone.
This blend of experienced mentors and fresh voices from Morris’ network could foster quick cohesion, especially with general manager Raj Murti overseeing operations.
The real game-changer?
Morris’ transfer portal haul, with a staggering 48 additions, including 16 from North Texas.
Standouts like quarterback Drew Mestemaker, a poised signal-caller with top-tier decision-making; running back Caleb Hawkins, a bruising force in the ground game; wide receiver Wyatt Young, a deep-threat playmaker; and linebacker Ethan Wesloski, a tackling machine among the nation’s best, instantly elevate the talent level.
These aren’t just bodies, they’re proven performers who could turn OSU’s offense into a high-octane unit and the defense into a respectable force.
Glancing at the 2026 schedule, there’s reason for optimism amid hurdles.
Home games against Murray State, UCF, Colorado, Texas Tech, and Kansas offer winnable building blocks, while road trips to Tulsa, West Virginia, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas State, and Arizona State test the new look Cowboys character and “want-to”.
The marquee matchup?
Hosting powerhouse Oregon on September 12, a potential statement win or early reality check.
Look, after rock bottom, OSU isn’t suddenly national title material.
Blending so many new faces takes time, and Big 12 parity means no gimmes.
But Morris’ vision, staff savvy, and portal prowess make this team too intriguing to ignore.
They might not deserve to be featured quite yet though, but their offseason moves do need to be highlighted. PFF isn’t the only one mentioning the moves being made in Stillwater. There is reason to be hype, but I’m not ready to give this team a Top 25 credit or nod just yet.
I haven’t been this hype for Oklahoma State football since Gundy said “We have a logo, too!” But let’s chill out for a second.
For God’s sake, beat Tulsa first, play tough against Oregon, and get a conference win before saying “Oklahoma State Is Back!”, a la the Texas Longhorns for however many false flag years in a row.
That being said…I went ahead and put in for PTO for Friday, December 4th, 2026. Sometimes you have to speak it into existence.