Special Athlon offer for SI.com readers

The Lowdown 2006 Schedule Coach: Mike Gundy (2nd season, 4-7) 2005 record: 4-7 Big 12 finish: 1-7 (6th South) 2005 I-A offensive rankings: Rushing: 48th (153.9 ypg) Passing: 98th (170.9 ypg) 2005 I-A defensive rankings: Rushing: 107th (205.4 ypg) Passing: 53rd (214.2 ypg) Date Opponent Sept. 2 Missouri State Sept. 9 at Arkansas State Sept. 16 Florida Atlantic Sept. 23 at Houston Oct. 7 at Kansas State Oct. 14 at Kansas Oct. 21 Texas A&M Oct. 28 Nebraska Nov. 4 at Texas Nov. 11 Baylor Nov. 18 at Texas Tech Nov. 25 Oklahoma Depth Chart: Offense 8 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. WR 84 D’Juan Woods Sr. 9 Jeremy Broadway So. WR 12 Adarius Bowman Jr. 83 Anthony Parks Jr. SL 6 Ricky Price So. 10 Tommy Devereaux Jr. LT 61 David Koenig Jr. 60 Brady Bond Fr. LG 52 Andrew Lawrence Fr. 57 Jacob Secrest Fr. C 63 David Washington So. 72 Kurt Seifried Sr. RG 65 Steve Denning So. 77 Noah Franklin Fr. RT 75 Corey Hilliard Sr. 68 Marshal Tetsworth Sr. TE 87 Brandon Pettigrew So. 88 Paschal Smith Jr. QB 14 Bobby Reid So. 11 Zac Robinson Fr. TB 29 Mike Hamilton So. - Dantrell Savage Jr. Depth Chart: Defense 5 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. DE 13 Nathan Peterson Jr. 50 Darnell Smith Sr. DT 93 Ryan McBean Sr. 96 Jeray Chatham So. DT 92 Larry Brown Sr. 90 X. Lawson-Kennedy Sr. DE 51 Victor DeGrate Sr. 97 Marque Fountain Jr. LB 2 Rodrick Johnson Jr. 19 Jeremy Nethon Jr. LB 35 Marcus Brown So. 40 Donnell Williams Fr. LB 44 Chris Collins Fr. 36 Alex Odiari So. CB - Scott Broughton Jr. 7 Martel Van Zant Jr. CB 17 Jacob Lacey So. - Perrish Cox Fr. SS 8 Donovan Woods Jr. 26 Quinton Moore So. FS 20 Andre Sexton Fr. 27 Calvin Mickens So. Special Teams Ps. No. Player Yr. Ps. No. Player Yr. K 10 Bruce Redden Sr. P 18 Matt Fodge So. KR 10 Tommy Devereaux Jr. PR 10 Tommy Devereaux Jr.

To order your 2006 Athlon Sports annual and receive $1 off plus free shipping courtesy of SI.com, click here.

Turnover and turnovers: Those were the factors that doomed Oklahoma State a year ago. The first is no longer a problem, and the second had better not be if the Cowboys are to regain momentum in the Big 12 South.

Mike Gundy's first year as head coach at OSU began badly, when popular senior cornerback Vernon Grant was killed in a car crash and another nine players were either dismissed or quit before the season-opener.

The Cowboys won only once in their final eight games, finishing 4-7 after shuffling quarterbacks and ranking 115th nationally with 35 turnovers lost. "Rough stuff," Gundy says looking back. And yet, some good came out of the struggles.

The Cowboys grew comfortable in their new schemes on both sides of the ball, with critical progress made in both understanding and operating their tempo-based spread offense. All the young players forced into action -- including 19 freshmen, eight of whom started -- are better equipped to contribute. Some should be stars.

And stability seems to be restored at quarterback, where sophomore Bobby Reid shook off injuries and inconsistencies from his debut season to suggest during the spring that he's ready to start earning those old comparisons to Vince Young in their hometown of Houston.

Add it all up, and Gundy says the Cowboys are ready for a return to the success that saw them go to three consecutive bowls before last season. "I think we have good enough players to get back in the bowl picture," says Gundy. "I don't want to make brash statements, but we have maturity and we have guys who can make plays with the ball in their hands. I have a lot of confidence in these guys."

OFFENSE

The quarterbacks accounted for almost half the Cowboys' 35 turnovers with 17 interceptions.

But stability seems to be restored at that position, with Reid who is hinting at the potential that made him a high-profile recruit.

"Through all the things I've been through, I've tried to tell myself, 'I can do this. I can be one of the best,'" Reid says. "I expect to be one of the best."

Reid will benefit from a better supporting cast. Running back Mike Hamilton improved steadily as a freshman and finished as the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year after rushing for 961 yards.

Dantrell Savage, a junior college transfer, was recruited to add a speed element to the backfield.

The receiving corps also gets a boost, with North Carolina transfer Adarius Bowman joining all-conference candidate D'Juan Woods to provide what should be a potent set of wideouts.

The major concern on offense lies up front, where Corey Hilliard is one of the league's top tackles but may be asked to help groom two freshman guards.

DEFENSE

Tackle Ryan McBean and a deep rotation of ends could turn the front four into a team strength. McBean combined power with speed to lead all OSU linemen in tackles and produce three sacks a year ago. His presence makes the other tackles, Larry Brown and Xavier Lawson-Kennedy, better.

At end, Victor DeGrate is the star among a group that features four players who have started.

Behind the front four, however, inexperience is rampant. The Cowboys may have scored with a gamble to bring in linebacker Chris Collins, who hasn't played since 2003 due to legal problems. The freshman was the talk of the spring on defense, providing passion and production where four senior linebackers were lost.

Auditions for starting jobs in the secondary may carry right up to the season opener. There is speed and talent among the defensive backs, but youth is an issue.

SPECIALISTS

Bruce Redden provided a welcome surprise, hitting 11-of-14 field goals after Jason Ricks was forced to redshirt due to injury. Redden now must hold off Ricks. Punter Matt Fodge must improve his consistency after averaging 39.9 yards a kick.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Reid's progress is critical to OSU's return to bowl contention. His talent and potential are unquestioned, but his ability to lead has yet to emerge. If Reid takes the next step, and the perceived upgrades at the skill positions materialize, coordinator Larry Fedora's no-huddle spread offense could take off.

The defense offers speed and athleticism but features too many unproven players not to expect some rocky moments.

Running the non-conference schedule unbeaten -- a visit to Houston will present a challenge -- might be a necessity, leaving the Cowboys to find two more wins in Big 12 play to reach .500 and put themselves back in a bowl.