Oklahoma State's Eric Morris Era Opens With a Rebuilt Roster

Oklahoma State turns the page in 2026, with Eric Morris taking over and a heavily reshaped roster to work with. The Cowboys project to finish 8-4, and the number reflects both real strengths and the reality of a team returning only twenty-eight percent of its production. This is a new era with a lot of new faces, and Morris inherits enough talent in the right places to compete right away in the Big 12.

Strong at quarterback, back, and up front

The good news is where it counts. Oklahoma State's quarterback play grades among the best in the conference, and the running back group grades near the top of the sport. The offensive line is elite, one of the best in the country, which gives the offense a chance to control games behind a dominant front. The linebacker group is excellent as well, so the Cowboys have a real anchor on defense.

That is a strong spine: a good quarterback, an elite back and line, and a top linebacker corps. A first-year staff would take that foundation every time, because it lets the offense run the ball and the defense stay sound against the run.

The rebuild shows on the edges

The concerns come from the turnover. With only twenty-eight percent of production back, Oklahoma State is breaking in a lot of new pieces, and it shows at receiver, tight end, on the defensive line, and in the secondary, all of which grade below the rest of the roster. The passing game lacks a proven downfield threat, and the back end of the defense is a question against the Big 12's better quarterbacks.

For a new staff, integrating those groups is the season's central task. The strengths are good enough to keep the Cowboys in every game while the rebuilt spots find their footing.

A schedule with three real tests

The projection makes Oklahoma State an underdog in three games: at home against Oregon, on the road at Kansas State, and at home against Texas Tech. Those are the toughest opponents on the slate, and they project as the losses. The closest remaining games are winnable, including a home date with UCF and road trips to Houston and Arizona State.

Outside the three tests, the Cowboys are favored in most of what is left. That points to eight wins in Morris's first year, with upside if the rebuilt groups come together faster than expected.

Bottom line

Expect 8-4 to open the Eric Morris era. Oklahoma State has strong quarterback play, an elite back and offensive line, and a top linebacker group. The heavy roster turnover shows at receiver and in the secondary, and the schedule has three clear tests. If the new pieces settle in quickly, this is a promising debut with the foundation of a Big 12 contender.