Could Eric Morris channel Mike Leach's magic for Oklahoma State? Cayden McFarland says that the Cowboys could be the most-improved team in college football in 2026
This week on The Jones Report, Sooners Roundtable publisher Tyler Jones and OkState Roundtable editor Thomas Bridges dive deep into the latest developments across the Big 12 and SEC as spring football ramps up.
Joining the show once again is friend of the program Cayden McFarland, KJRH Tulsa sports director and host on the Sports Animal Tulsa. McFarland brought sharp, insightful analysis on both the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys ahead of their respective spring games this Saturday.
Bullish Outlook for Eric Morris and the Oklahoma State Cowboys
Starting in Stillwater, McFarland was equally enthusiastic about new head coach Eric Morris and the fresh energy he’s bringing to the Cowboys.
Drawing comparisons to the legendary Mike Leach, McFarland praised Morris for his deep roots in the Leach coaching tree. “He’s kinda pitch-perfect for me,” McFarland said. “He comes from the Mike Leach family tree. I think he was smart enough to pick up on a lot of the things that Leach was uniquely gifted at.”
McFarland believes Morris has the perfect blend of offensive creativity and program-building vision to make a major impact in Stillwater this fall. He also showed confidence in new quarterback Drew Mestemaker, noting that if the offensive line can provide him with adequate protection, Mestemaker has the arm talent and decision-making ability to make big plays down the field consistently.
On season predictions, McFarland struck a balanced but optimistic tone for Oklahoma State. While he acknowledged that a 9-3 record might feel slightly ambitious, he wouldn’t be surprised to see the Cowboys emerge as college football’s most improved team in 2026, delivering a strong bounce-back campaign.
Optimism Surrounds the Oklahoma Sooners
When discussing the Sooners, McFarland expressed strong confidence in the current direction of the program under head coach Brent Venables. He emphasized that, despite the challenges Venables has faced since taking over in Norman, there may be no better time for the veteran coach to lead Oklahoma football, especially with the support of highly regarded general manager Jim Nagy.
“I think they are more of a national title contender than what the current Vegas odds would suggest, and frankly, more than most people seem to think in this moment,” McFarland stated.
He went even further, noting that there aren’t many teams in the SEC he would currently give a clear edge over the Sooners. With a healthy John Mateer at quarterback, McFarland believes a 10-win season in 2026 is very realistic.
That kind of success would put Oklahoma squarely in the mix for the College Football Playoff, while competing for an SEC title.
A key area of emphasis for McFarland was the offensive line. He stressed that if the Sooners can improve their protection and establish even an average run game, the entire offense will take a significant leap forward, unlocking the full potential of Mateer and the skill-position players.
Full Episode Now Available
The entire conversation with Cayden McFarland, covering the Sooners, Cowboys, and even a playoff preview for the Oklahoma City Thunder, is available now on this week’s episode of The Jones Report. You can listen right away on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.
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Stay tuned for more episodes as spring practices wrap up and fall expectations begin to crystallize. Whether you bleed Crimson and Cream or Orange and Black, The Jones Report has you covered.