There's very little history between Oklahoma State University and the University of Utah — in fact, the two football teams have only played against each other once, back in 1945 in Salt Lake City.
But Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has kept his eye on Utah during his lengthy tenure leading the Cowboys.
During a recent appearance on the “ESPN College Football” podcast, Gundy told ESPN's Greg McElroy that he would look at Utah during the Kyle Whittingham era at times and steal some things they did here and there.
why?
“I've always looked at schools that are doing better than they could be based on the history of the players they draft,” Gundy explained.
Gundy praised Whittingham and the University of Utah ahead of Utah's Big 12 Conference debut, even going so far as to use the words “unbelievable job” in reference to the program Whittingham has built on the mound.
“There are some solid, good programs in the (conference),” Gundy said. “What Kyle's done at Utah is exactly the same amount of time he and I have been around (college football), but he's surpassed himself. They've done an unbelievable job at Utah.”
Utah and Oklahoma State are expected to be the top two contenders for the conference title this season, but Kansas State, Kansas State and Texas College are also worthy contenders. McElroy himself, in conversation with Gundy, said he personally thinks the Cowboys are the favorites to win the league, but he hasn't completely ruled out Utah.
“I think Oklahoma State has more answers on paper than any team in the Big 12,” he said. “There's a camp that's very supportive of Utah coming into the league and maybe rising to the top. And Kansas State with Avery Johnson. … They could be the group that moves up. You look at it, TCU could be back in the forefront again.”
McElroy continued, “Oklahoma State hasn't won a conference title since 2011. This could be the year. I think this is the year. Right now, if I had to pick, I'd pick the Pokes.”
But as Gundy's comments suggest, Utah has caught the league's attention. Utah won't enter the Big 12 as a small program with success to prove, as it did in the Pac-12. As Gundy noted, Utah under Whittingham has become a program to emulate.
