Former Bengals LB Backs Oklahoma State Cowboys football to Make Noise in 2026 Under Eric Morris
Stillwater hasn’t had much to celebrate lately. Four wins in two years. The end of Mike Gundy‘s 20-year reign. A program that went from Big 12 contender to afterthought in record time. But David Pollack sees something most people are missing. The former Georgia linebacker turned analyst thinks Oklahoma State is about to make the conference pay attention under Eric Morris.
Pollack jumped on his See Ball Get Ball podcast with Rece Davis and backed the Cowboys hard for 2026. New head coach Eric Morris didn’t just take the job. He brought his entire North Texas operation with him. That includes quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who torched the FBS last season with 4,379 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. The Burlsworth Trophy winner followed Morris to the Big 12, and Pollack thinks that pairing changes everything.
“They brought the whole system,” Pollack said. “They brought the best with them, and Eric Morris obviously can coach. I really like him. And by the way, the quarterback play he’s been around is just stupid; it’s silly.” Morris developed Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield. He coached Cam Ward through stops at Incarnate Word and Washington State. That track record speaks louder than any rebuilding timeline.
Another Easy completion from North Texas and Eric Morris. Great way to beat pressure! pic.twitter.com/I3tiKDKS5v
— Coaches Caviar (@CaviarCoaches) March 8, 2026
Morris also landed running back Caleb Hawkins, who led the nation in rushing touchdowns last year. Dozens of players transferred from North Texas. This cluster approach lets Morris install his Air Raid system without the usual multi-year learning curve. Pollack believes the Big 12 won’t see it coming.
Elite Quarterback Play Can Flip Everything Fast For Eric Morris
The Air Raid offense has built NFL careers. Morris knows how to maximize quarterbacks. Oklahoma State hasn’t had that in years. Now they’re getting a proven developer and a guy who just put up over 4,300 passing yards as a former walk-on.
Pollack didn’t dance around his prediction. “I think the Pokes have a chance to come in and at least poke some people; at least catch some big fish.” Greg McElroy noted that elite quarterback play can shift a conference race overnight. The Big 12 is wide open. Morris walks in with weapons.
The spring game hits April 18. That’s when fans see what Morris built from scratch. A 3-9 finish in 2024 feels like a different program entirely. Oklahoma State went from irrelevant to nationally discussed in one offseason. Pollack’s putting his reputation behind a program ready to erase two miserable seasons. The Cowboys might just deliver.
Former Bengals LB Backs Oklahoma State Cowboys football to Make Noise in 2026 Under Eric Morris
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