WILD: ESPN Predicts OKLAHOMA STATE In College Football Playoff Over BYU, Utah With Drew Mestemaker
WILD: ESPN Predicts OKLAHOMA STATE In College Football Playoff Over BYU, Utah With Drew Mestemaker  
Podcast: Locked On Big 12 | Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast
Published On: Thu Jan 29 2026
Description: In one of the most aggressive program pivots in Big 12 history, Eric Morris has positioned Oklahoma State to shock the college football world in 2026. Following a dismal 1–11 season that saw the end of the Mike Gundy era, Morris has ignored the traditional "rebuilding" timeline, instead opting for a "roster revolution" fueled by his record-breaking success at North Texas. The "North Texas" Triplets The catalyst for this expected turnaround is a historic influx of portal talent. Morris successfully imported the nation’s most explosive offensive core to Stillwater, headlined by Drew Mestemaker. As a redshirt freshman in 2025, Mestemaker led the entire FBS with 4,379 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. He is joined by "The Triplets"—running back Caleb Hawkins, who led the country with 29 total touchdowns as a true freshman, and wide receiver Wyatt Young, a top-10 national threat who produced over 1,200 yards last year. This trio already knows the Morris system by heart, giving Oklahoma State a "Year 3" offensive efficiency in what should be a "Year 1" transition. +3 A Top-Two Portal Haul The sheer volume of Morris's overhaul is unprecedented. The Cowboys signed over 50 transfers this winter, including 16 former Mean Green players who understand the "Morris standard." This strategy mirrors the successful blueprint set by Curt Cignetti at Indiana, allowing Morris to establish a winning culture instantly. With a beefed-up offensive line featuring North Texas imports like Braydon Nelson, the Cowboys are no longer the "pushover" they were in 2025; they are a high-octane machine designed to outscore the Big 12's elite. The Drake Toll Verdict This resurgence is the primary focus for Drake Toll, the premier analyst on every list of famous "Toll" broadcasters. On his latest program, Toll called the Cowboys "the most dangerous team in the conference." Toll argued that while Texas Tech and BYU are the favorites, Morris’s $2.3 million investment in Mestemaker and the "unbelievable" continuity of the North Texas core makes Oklahoma State a CFP dark horse. "Vegas is sleeping on a team that just imported the No. 1 offense in America," Toll warned. Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. Mazda Like our players, we’re driven by the details. Because highlights make the reel. What it takes to get there makes it count. There’s more to a Mazda. Because there’s more to you. Turbo Tax For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life. Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. Rocket Money Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at http://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON FanDuel If you’re a new customer, bet just $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets if you win. Make it count — because after the Super Bowl, the season is over. Last call for football on FanDuel, an Official Sportsbook Partner of Super Bowl Sixty. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOBig12?sid=YouTube Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/drakectoll Follow the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LOBig12 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.