Mike Gundy: Oklahoma State's quarterback stability will improve the offense

With all the conference realignment that has transpired, the Oklahoma State Cowboys are a favorite pick to win the Big 12 this year. Their head coach, Mike Gundy, has been using this offseason to revamp and improve the Cowboys’ offense.

During a recent interview on Always College Football with former Alabama Crimson Tide and NFL quarterback Greg McElroy, the Oklahoma State head coach explained what key factor will lead his program to prosperity in 2024.

“We put a lot on our quarterbacks,” started Gundy. “We asked them to get us in the right play — football is a numbers game. There’s got to be six on one side and five on the other; if you’re balanced, there’s gotta be X number of players playing a pass, and the other ones are playing the run — We ask them to put us in the best situation. We’ll have more availability with that this fall than we did last year because we were rotating guys through.

“Bowman has come through and had a terrific spring for us. He now understands our system. I think he’s very comfortable in communication and understanding where we want to attack the defense. There were times we relied on Ollie Gordon to run through tackles within three yards of the line of scrimmage. They’re all going to have to run through tackles, but three yards or less is not where we want them running through tackles. Hopefully, he can help us in that area this fall.”

Gundy and Oklahoma State found the leader of their offense last season in Alan Bowman. Bowman transferred to Oklahoma State in January of 2023. The former Texas Tech Red Raider and Michigan Wolverine put together a respectable campaign last year after he was able to win the starting quarterback job. Bowman would lead the Cowboys to a 10-4 record, going 7-2 in the Big 12, including a berth in the Big 12 title game for Oklahoma State against Texas and a victory over Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl.

Last season, through 14 games, Bowman threw for 3,460 yards and completed 60.7% of his passes with 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Now, with a year under his belt at Oklahoma State, Gundy expects his senior quarterback to be too shy, and their offense allows for more balance and playmaking opportunities for star running back Ollie Gordon.