Oklahoma State Football's Season Opener Will Offer Unique Challenge in 2024
Oklahoma State’s season-opening opponent in 2024 will offer a unique challenge.
While playing FCS opponents is a regular occurrence for the Cowboys in week one, playing the FCS national champion is far from typical. Not only that, South Dakota State is fresh off its second consecutive national title and will come to Stillwater in late August carrying a 29-game winning streak.
However, the Jackrabbits' most recent loss came to Iowa to open the 2022 season. Their infamous 7-3 loss, where they gave up two safeties and a field goal, was also their most recent game against an FBS opponent.
If 2023’s opener was any indication, OSU will have trouble with the reigning FCS champion. Against Central Arkansas, OSU entered the fourth quarter leading by only six.
Of course, with Alan Bowman and Ollie Gordon yet to cement their starting roles, the Cowboys were challenging to assess. The Cowboys will enter 2024 with many returning starters and one of the favorites to win the Big 12.
Although the Jackrabbits are a level below the Cowboys, their dominance is not something to take lightly. On their way to a 15-0 championship-winning season, they won their games by an average of 28 points.
SDSU will enter Boone Pickens Stadium looking to give OSU a rare opening loss. Since Mike Gundy took over in 2005, OSU is 17-2 in season openers.
Those only two losses came at Georgia in 2007 and reigning national champion Florida State in Arlington in 2014. Meanwhile, OSU is undefeated in home openers and games against FCS opponents in Gundy’s tenure.
While losing a home opener is uncharted territory for OSU, it has come close to losing in recent years. In 2020, 2021 and 2023, OSU had to come through with good fourth-quarter performances.
OSU nearly gave away wins against Missouri State and Central Arkansas while trailing Tulsa after three quarters in 2020.
Any performance similar to those three in 2024 could spell trouble for the Cowboys. Continuity will be the key for the Cowboys to avoid an upset, but that may not be enough if the Jackrabbits play like they have in their past 29 games.
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