Predicting Oklahoma State Football’s Non-Conference Record

Earlier today, the start times were released for Oklahoma State’s nonconference slate of games, as well as the Big 12 opener.

The Pokes open the 2026 campaign on the road against Tulsa in the Turnpike Classic. Then, they return home to Stillwater for their home opener against Oregon. Oklahoma State wraps up the non-conference slate against Murray State, and then they open up Big 12 play on the road against West Virginia.

Oklahoma State’s non-conference slate isn’t necessarily ideal, but it could be a lot worse. 

Although the Cowboys were embarrassed by Tulsa at home last season, the Golden Hurricane are coming off of a 4-8 campaign in the AAC.

Oregon enters 2026 as one of the best teams in America, but there are already rumblings in Eugene that the matchup could be a trap game for the Ducks. Even though Pokes fans I’m sure would love to have a night game for this high profile matchup, an 11am CT start is early for Oregon traveling from the west coast.

OSU then wraps up the non-conference slate with Murray State. The Pokes have no business playing an FCS opponent, after winning just one game last year, maybe it isn’t the worst idea in the world to play a team that only won one game at FCS level in 2025.

W - Tulsa

Tre Lamb has done a solid job at Tulsa, with their limited resources. Even though they went 4-8, the win over the Pokes last year was massive. With that said, there’s no excuse to lose to this Tulsa team. Oklahoma State is much more talented than they were a season ago, and this should be the coming out party for Drew Mestemaker and the Cowboys’ new offense under new head coach Eric Morris.

L - Oregon

Never say never, but this one seems unlikely. Dante Moore should be in the NFL, instead he’s back trying to take the Ducks to the national championship. There is no such things as moral victories, but the Pokes need to come out and compete, give their team some confidence going forward. 69-3 cannot happen again.

W - Murray State

This should be a bloodbath. No reason why this game shouldn’t be over by halftime. This is the type of game where Mestemaker, Caleb Hawkins, and Wyatt Young should be able to stat-pad their numbers. If this game is within 28 points or less, then people need to sound the alarms.

Overall: 2-1