1-on-1 with Mike Gundy: Time flies for veteran Oklahoma State coach as Big 12 title remains in sights

No team may have improved more throughout the 2023 season than Oklahoma State.

The Cowboys struggled against Arizona State and FCS Central Arkansas before they were demolished at home by South Alabama. Back-to-back losses to the Jaguars of the Sun Belt and to Iowa State in the Big 12 opener sent Mike Gundy searching for answers. What transpired in that bye week may have been the best week of brainstorming in Gundy’s long, successful career. His adjustments led to a change in philosophy offensively, the emergence of Ollie Gordon II as the nation’s top running back (1,732 yards) and wins in seven of the last eight games, including victories against three top 25 opponents and rival Oklahoma in their final Bedlam rivalry game (for now). The Pokes advanced to the Big 12 Championship Game for the second time in three years and then beat Texas A&M in a bowl game to give the Cowboys a 10-win season for the eighth time in the last 14 years.