Pollack’s laments his excitement for Oklahoma State Cowboys Football Program Turn Around in 2026
STILLWATER, Okla. — Few stories capture the imagination quite like the Oklahoma State Cowboys’ offseason overhaul heading into 2026.
Former ESPN analyst and current podcast host David Pollack, known for his sharp insights on his “See Ball Get Ball” show, recently shared his unbridled excitement about the Cowboys’ prospects.
In a viral clip posted on X (formerly Twitter), Pollack breaks down why he’s bullish on OSU, highlighting a new coaching regime, a massive influx of talent via the portal, and the potential for one of the most dramatic turnarounds in recent memory.
As Pollack puts it, this revamped squad “has a chance now to be something special.”
Pollack’s optimism stems primarily from the hiring of a new head coach, whose track record of developing under-the-radar talent has Pollack convinced that Stillwater is on the cusp of a renaissance.
Drawing from the coach’s previous success,likely a nod to his time at a Group of Five program like North Texas, Pollack praises his ability to elevate players.
“He’s found these diamond-in-the-rough type guys and made them bigger stars,” Pollack says in the video, emphasizing the coach’s knack for spotting and nurturing overlooked prospects.
This philosophy aligns perfectly with the Cowboys’ needs after what appears to have been a dismal 2025 campaign, potentially a 1-11 record that left the program in rebuild mode.
The new coach’s arrival signals a fresh start, and Pollack sees it as the catalyst for transformation.
But it’s not just the coaching change that has Pollack buzzing…it’s the sheer volume and quality of transfers flooding into Boone Pickens Stadium.
Oklahoma State has aggressively utilized the portal, bringing in “more than 60 players,” as Pollack notes, to overhaul the roster. This isn’t just quantity, it’s strategic quality.
Pollack zeroes in on key offensive additions that could make the Cowboys’ attack one of the most explosive in the Big 12.
He highlights the quarterback position, describing the incoming signal-caller as a “baller at quarterback” and “basically five-star QB talent that had no NIL all season.”
This player, presumably a high-upside transfer from a G5 school, represents the kind of hidden gem Pollack admires.
The excitement doesn’t stop there.
Pollack gushes over the running back addition, referring to “the national touchdown leader and Caleb Hawkins” as a dynamic force.
“And you’re bringing Hawkins running back,” he adds, underscoring how this player could anchor a ground game that complements the high-powered offense the new coach is known for implementing.
Pollack describes the scheme as “high-powered offense, I mean high-powered,” suggesting a fast-paced, scoring machine that could overwhelm Big 12 defenses.
Complementing this is the wide receiver corps, bolstered by talents like Wyatt Young, whom Pollack calls “one of the top whiteout best young guys that have been though in the country, White Young at wide receiver.”
He believes these pieces fit together seamlessly; “Like this has got a chance to really click, really hit, hit the ground running.”
What truly sets Pollack’s analysis apart is his bold prediction for the Cowboys’ 2026 performance.
Coming off a hypothetical rock-bottom season, the program could flip the script dramatically.
“And be one of the best turnarounds we’ve seen,” Pollack declares. “From 1-11 not being an FBS team you can flip that over like they’re going to get eight wins in the Big 12, I got a chance to do something special.”
This isn’t hyperbole; it’s rooted in the portal’s democratizing effect on college football.
Programs like Oklahoma State, with strong NIL resources and a storied history, can now reload quickly.
Pollack’s reference to the team not even feeling like an FBS squad in 2025 highlights the depths of their struggles, making the potential eight-win season, a mark that could put them in playoff contention in the expanded format, all the more impressive.
Reactions to Pollack’s take have been mixed but telling. Fans from North Texas, evident in replies like “You’ve changed your tune on G5 players I see” and “The majority of this team was one win away from the CFP. I fully expect them to be in the hunt up in Stillwater!! GMG!!!,” suggest that many of these transfers hail from the Mean Green’s roster, following their coach to Power Four pastures.
This pipeline adds intrigue, as it brings proven chemistry and production to OSU. Critics might point to the challenges of integrating over 60 new faces, but Pollack dismisses such concerns, focusing on the upside.
For Oklahoma State fans, Pollack’s endorsement is a nod or recognition.
The Cowboys have long been Big 12 contenders under previous leadership, but recent inconsistencies demanded change.
With a new coach at the helm, a portal class Pollack deems elite, and an offensive restock could light up the scoreboard, 2026 shapes up as a redemption story. As Pollack teases in his post, “That portal class… new coach… hmm…”, it’s clear he’s not just optimistic, he’s expecting success.
If his predictions hold, the Pokes could ride this wave back to the top, proving once again, that in college football, reinvention is just a portal away from bringing in hired guns. And in that case…Pistols’ Firing - OOOOOO SSSSSSSSS UUUUUUU COWBOYS!!!