2025 Gives Mike Gundy Opportunity to Get Oklahoma State Back on Track
As the calendar flips to 2025, Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State football find themselves at a crucial juncture. After a couple of seasons of underachievement by the standards of the program’s recent successes, Gundy is presented with an opportunity to get the Cowboys back on track and once again make a serious run at competing for the Big 12 title and, ultimately, the College Football Playoff.
Gundy has been the face of Oklahoma State football for over a decade, a program he’s built into a perennial contender in the Big 12. Under his leadership, the Cowboys have become one of the most consistent teams in the conference, reaching multiple Big 12 Championship Games, winning several bowl games, and even finishing with a near-miss at a College Football Playoff appearance in 2011. However, in recent years, Oklahoma State has experienced a drop in form, as they’ve struggled to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving Big 12 conference.
As the 2025 season approaches, Gundy knows that it’s imperative to restore Oklahoma State’s standing among the conference elite. The challenge ahead is not only about improving the win-loss record but also about rebuilding the identity that has helped Gundy’s teams achieve success in the past.
The Fall from Grace: Oklahoma State’s Recent Struggles
The 2023 season was a frustrating one for the Cowboys, who finished with a record of 6-6 in the regular season and ultimately missed out on a bowl appearance. After being picked to finish near the top of the Big 12, Oklahoma State’s season was marred by inconsistency, especially on offense. In particular, the departure of long-time starting quarterback Spencer Sanders left the Cowboys with a hole under center that was never truly filled. Oklahoma State’s offense was stagnant at times, and they failed to generate the necessary explosiveness to keep pace with some of the other high-powered offenses in the Big 12.
While the defense remained solid, the lack of offensive production ultimately doomed the Cowboys, leading to a disappointing 2023 campaign. For Gundy and his staff, the task in 2025 will be to find a quarterback who can provide stability and leadership while also revitalizing the offense.
A New Season, A New Opportunity
Looking ahead to 2025, there’s reason for optimism in Stillwater. Gundy has a roster with several key returning players, a strong recruiting class, and potential new additions through the transfer portal. While the team might have struggled in 2023, the 2025 season gives the Cowboys a fresh chance to turn things around and reestablish themselves as a contender.
One of the first steps in this recovery process is to fix the quarterback situation. After several seasons of inconsistency at the position, Gundy needs to find a leader who can guide the offense with poise and precision. It’s likely that the 2025 campaign will feature a quarterback competition, where several players, including Garrett Rangel and Zane Flores, will fight for the starting role. The quarterback will be tasked with not only improving the offense’s consistency but also making the big plays in critical moments that Oklahoma State has lacked in recent years.
Additionally, the offensive line will play a pivotal role in determining how successful the Cowboys can be in 2025. The offensive line has been a strength of Gundy’s teams in the past, and rebuilding that unit will be essential to both the running game and the passing game. The return of several experienced linemen, combined with the development of younger players, will help solidify the foundation for a successful offensive attack.
Recruiting and the Transfer Portal
Oklahoma State’s success in the 2025 season will also depend heavily on how well Gundy and his staff utilize the transfer portal and recruiting class. As the Big 12 evolves, Gundy must ensure that his program remains competitive in the ever-changing landscape of college football.
In particular, Gundy will need to continue to find playmakers at the skill positions. Oklahoma State has historically been a program that churns out elite running backs and wide receivers, and in 2025, it will be crucial to re-establish that identity. With a group of talented recruits coming in, along with a few potential key transfers, Gundy has the chance to inject new life into the Cowboys’ offense.
On defense, the Cowboys will need to continue their tradition of being stout and aggressive. With several key defensive players returning, Oklahoma State has the potential to field one of the better defenses in the Big 12. Maintaining that defensive identity, while improving on offense, will be a critical aspect of Gundy’s rebuilding efforts.
The Big 12 Landscape in 2025
Another key factor in Oklahoma State’s 2025 season is the shifting dynamics of the Big 12 Conference. With the University of Texas and Oklahoma set to depart for the SEC in 2025, the Big 12 will look very different. The conference will see several new teams join, including BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF. While these changes present some uncertainty, they also open the door for other programs, like Oklahoma State, to seize a leadership role in the conference.
For Gundy, the exit of Oklahoma and Texas presents a rare opportunity to rise to the top of the Big 12. Both teams have historically dominated the conference, but with their departure, a new era will begin. Gundy and the Cowboys have an opportunity to take advantage of this shift and position themselves as one of the top programs in the Big 12. By capitalizing on the vacuum left by Texas and Oklahoma, Oklahoma State can return to championship contention and even make a legitimate run at a College Football Playoff spot.
What’s at Stake for Mike Gundy in 2025
For Mike Gundy, the 2025 season is crucial not only for the future of Oklahoma State but for his own legacy. After years of steady success, the program has taken a step back in recent seasons, and Gundy is under pressure to prove that he can still lead Oklahoma State to greatness. A strong 2025 season, particularly one in which the Cowboys compete for a Big 12 title, could solidify Gundy’s place as one of the best head coaches in college football. On the other hand, another season of underachievement could raise questions about the future direction of the program and Gundy’s tenure in Stillwater.
Gundy’s success at Oklahoma State has always been built on developing talent, building strong relationships with his players, and creating a cohesive program that is greater than the sum of its parts. In 2025, he’ll need to do all of these things—and more—if Oklahoma State is to return to the upper echelons of the Big 12 and college football.
