What Is 2017 Oklahoma State Cowboys football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented Oklahoma State University in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 10–3 record under head coach Mike Gundy and winning the Alamo Bowl 34–39 against TCU. They competed in the Big 12 Conference and finished ranked No. 14 in the final AP Poll.

Key Facts

Finished the season with a 10–3 overall record and 7–2 in Big 12 play
Defeated TCU 34–39 in the 2018 Alamo Bowl on January 1, 2018
Ranked No. 14 in the final AP Poll and No. 13 in the Coaches Poll
Quarterback Mason Rudolph threw for 4,904 yards and 37 touchdowns
Running back Justice Hill rushed for 1,402 yards and 9 touchdowns

Overview

The 2017 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented Oklahoma State University during the 2017 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season. Led by head coach Mike Gundy in his 13th season, the Cowboys competed in the Big 12 Conference and achieved a 10–3 overall record, including a 7–2 mark in conference play.

They capped the season with a victory in the Alamo Bowl, defeating the TCU Horned Frogs 39–34, and finished ranked No. 14 in the final Associated Press (AP) Poll and No. 13 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. The team was known for its high-powered offense, led by senior quarterback Mason Rudolph and running back Justice Hill.

Record: The Cowboys finished the season with a 10–3 overall record, one of the best in program history under Mike Gundy’s leadership.
Conference performance: They went 7–2 in Big 12 play, placing second in the conference behind undefeated champion Oklahoma.
Bowl game: On January 1, 2018, Oklahoma State defeated TCU 39–34 in the Valero Alamo Bowl, marking their second consecutive Alamo Bowl win.
Offensive output: The team averaged 43.5 points per game, ranking third nationally in scoring offense during the regular season.
Final rankings: Oklahoma State ended the season ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll and No. 13 in the Coaches Poll, reflecting their strong performance.

How It Works

The success of the 2017 Oklahoma State Cowboys stemmed from a combination of offensive firepower, experienced leadership, and strategic coaching decisions throughout the season.

Quarterback leadership:Mason Rudolph threw for 4,904 yards and 37 touchdowns, setting a single-season school record and finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.
Running back production:Justice Hill rushed for 1,402 yards and 9 touchdowns, becoming the first true freshman to lead the Big 12 in rushing since 2009.
Passing attack: The Cowboys’ wide receiver corps, led by James Washington, who had 1,500 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, earned him the Biletnikoff Award.
Offensive scheme: Offensive coordinator Gun Sparks utilized a spread system that emphasized quick passes and deep throws, averaging 504.2 yards per game.
Defensive challenges: The defense allowed 31.2 points per game, ranking 89th nationally, which limited their ability to compete for a College Football Playoff spot.
Coaching stability:Mike Gundy maintained consistency in leadership, with his 10-win season marking his fifth such campaign at Oklahoma State.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2017 Oklahoma State Cowboys compared closely with other top Big 12 teams in key statistical categories.

Team	Overall Record	Points Per Game	Defensive PPG	Final AP Rank
Oklahoma State	10–3	43.5	31.2	No. 14
Oklahoma	12–2	43.8	27.9	No. 5
TCU	11–3	37.4	24.2	No. 11
Baylor	1–11	16.8	38.5	NR
Texas Tech	6–7	38.1	36.8	NR

The table highlights how Oklahoma State ranked among the nation’s elite offensively but struggled defensively compared to rivals like TCU and Oklahoma. Their scoring average was nearly identical to Oklahoma’s, but their defense allowed more points, which proved pivotal in close games like the 45–40 loss to Iowa State. Despite this, their balanced offensive attack and bowl victory solidified their status as a top-15 team.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was significant for Oklahoma State due to its offensive achievements, individual accolades, and national recognition, marking a high point in the Mike Gundy era.

Biletnikoff Award:James Washington became the first Oklahoma State player to win the award, recognizing him as the nation’s top receiver.
Heisman consideration:Mason Rudolph finished fifth in Heisman voting, the highest finish for a Cowboy since 2003.
Recruiting boost: The team’s success helped elevate recruiting rankings, attracting higher-profile prospects in subsequent classes.
Program momentum: The 10-win season and top-15 finish reinforced Oklahoma State as a consistent contender in the Big 12.
Offensive legacy: The 2017 unit set school records for total yards and points, influencing future offensive strategies.
Bowl prominence: Winning the Alamo Bowl for the second straight year increased the program’s national visibility and postseason credibility.

The 2017 Oklahoma State Cowboys left a lasting impact through individual excellence, offensive innovation, and sustained success, setting a benchmark for future teams in Stillwater.