Oklahoma State Football Rankings Return Cowboys to CFP Top 25
Oklahoma State Football Rankings Return Cowboys to CFP Top 25 After Nearly Three Years
The Oklahoma State football rankings received a major boost Tuesday night as the Cowboys entered the College Football Playoff Top 25 at No. 25, marking the program's first appearance in the national rankings since December 2023. Oklahoma State, now 6-3 overall and 4-2 in Big 12 Conference play, earned national recognition following a dominant 66-28 road victory over Kansas State, continuing a remarkable turnaround under first-year head coach Eric Morris.
The Cowboys' return to the rankings comes after two difficult seasons in which Oklahoma State failed to win a single Big 12 Conference game. Following an extensive offseason rebuild involving 91 new players and more than 40 new staff members, the program has returned to bowl eligibility and national relevance. The Cowboys now face another major test as they prepare to host No. 12 Texas Tech on Saturday, November 14, in a sold-out nighttime matchup at Boone Pickens Stadium with significant implications for the Big 12 championship race.
Oklahoma State Football Rankings Reflect Historic Turnaround Under Eric Morris
The College Football Playoff selection committee's November 10 rankings placed Oklahoma State at No. 25, ending a nearly three-year absence from the national poll. The Cowboys last appeared in the CFP rankings on December 3, 2023, and Tuesday's announcement marked the program's 44th appearance in the rankings since their introduction in 2014.
At the top of the national rankings, Georgia holds the No. 1 position, followed by No. 2 Utah, No. 3 Alabama, No. 4 UCLA and No. 5 Notre Dame. The Big 12 Conference placed six teams in the Top 25, including Utah, BYU, Texas Tech, Houston, Arizona and Oklahoma State, reflecting the competitive conference landscape as the regular season approaches its final weeks.
For Oklahoma State, the ranking represents a significant achievement under Eric Morris, who inherited a program coming off consecutive seasons without a conference victory. Morris and his coaching staff undertook one of the most extensive roster transformations in program history, adding 91 new players and bringing in more than 40 new staff members during the offseason.
The changes reshaped nearly every aspect of the program, from offensive personnel and defensive schemes to the team's overall approach. With six victories through nine games, the Cowboys have secured bowl eligibility and positioned themselves among the nationally ranked programs competing for postseason opportunities.
Cowboys Dominate Kansas State Behind Record-Setting Offensive Performance
Oklahoma State's return to the national rankings followed an impressive 66-28 victory over Kansas State on Saturday, November 7, in Manhattan, Kansas.
According to the official Oklahoma State Athletics game recap, the Cowboys' 66 points established a single-game scoring record in the 78-game series against the Wildcats. Oklahoma State produced 565 total yards, scored on 10 of its 15 offensive possessions and built a commanding 49-14 halftime lead.
Quarterback Drew Mestemaker, a Maxwell Award semifinalist, delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, completing 22 of 28 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns. Mestemaker also scored a rushing touchdown and caught a touchdown pass, becoming just the fifth player in FBS history to record at least four passing touchdowns, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the same game.
Running back Caleb Hawkins added 246 total yards and four touchdowns, including 175 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. His performance pushed him past 1,000 rushing yards for the season, making him the first Oklahoma State running back to reach that milestone since Ollie Gordon II in 2023.
The Cowboys also received a standout defensive performance from LaDainian Fields, who intercepted two passes to increase his season total to seven interceptions, the most in the nation. Fields earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors as Oklahoma State's defense forced three interceptions and repeatedly disrupted the Kansas State offense.
The victory demonstrated the progress Oklahoma State has made on both sides of the football, with an explosive offense supported by a defense capable of creating turnovers and limiting opponents' scoring opportunities.
Oklahoma State Hosts No. 12 Texas Tech in Sold-Out Big 12 Showdown
The Cowboys will have little time to celebrate their return to the rankings as they prepare for a major conference matchup against No. 12 Texas Tech on Saturday, November 14.
The Red Raiders enter the contest with an 8-1 overall record and a 5-1 mark in Big 12 play, making Saturday's meeting an important game in the conference championship race.
The Oklahoma State Athletics preview of Saturday's Texas Tech matchup outlines the Cowboys' extensive offseason rebuild, their offensive improvement under Morris and the significance of the nationally televised contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Central Time on ESPN, with the sold-out crowd at Boone Pickens Stadium participating in a planned blackout game.
Texas Tech arrives following a dramatic 53-48 victory over West Virginia, led by dual-threat quarterback Thomas Castellanos. The Red Raiders' ability to generate offense through both the passing and running games will present another challenge for an Oklahoma State defense coming off its impressive performance against Kansas State.
The matchup also carries personal significance for Eric Morris, a Texas Tech alumnus who previously played and coached for the Red Raiders before taking over the Cowboys program.
Texas Tech holds a narrow 25-24-3 advantage in the all-time series, including a 42-0 victory over Oklahoma State in Lubbock last season. However, the Cowboys have historically performed well against the Red Raiders in Stillwater, winning nine of their last 11 home meetings.
With six Big 12 teams appearing in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, the outcome could influence conference standings and postseason positioning as the regular season moves toward its conclusion.
The Oklahoma State football rankings return the Cowboys to the national spotlight for the first time since December 2023, highlighting a dramatic turnaround under first-year head coach Eric Morris. After rebuilding the roster and securing bowl eligibility, No. 25 Oklahoma State now faces its biggest opportunity of the season against No. 12 Texas Tech, with a sold-out Boone Pickens Stadium and significant Big 12 championship implications setting the stage for Saturday night's showdown.
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