Oklahoma State Cowboys
2001 record: 4-7 (2-6)
Coach: Les Miles (2nd year, 4-7)
Starters returning: 8 offense, 8 defense, 1 kicker

Outlook: Beating rival Oklahoma did wonders for the Cowboys' confidence. Coach Les Miles wants his team to remember what it took to beat the Sooners and forget how it felt when the job was done.

"A lot has been made of how we finished the season,'' said Miles, whose Cowboys won their last two games to salvage a potentially disastrous year. "That's old news. But we set a benchmark. We understand it now."

Miles would like to have a better understanding of his quarterback position, where Josh Fields came off the bench three times last year in relief of two-year starter Aso Pogi. Fields will be the likely starter, but Miles won't discount Pogi, a senior who survived a terrible automobile accident in December that left him with tendon injuries to his non-throwing arm and hand.

	Around The Big 12
	Baylor Bears
	Colorado Buffaloes
	Iowa State Cyclones
	Kansas Jayhawks
	Kansas State Wildcats
	Missouri Tigers
	Nebraska Cornhuskers
	Oklahoma Sooners
	Oklahoma State Cowboys
	Texas Longhorns
	Texas A&M Aggies
	Texas Tech Red Raiders

Running back Tatum Bell and receiver Rashaun Woods, one of the best in the conference, give whoever quarterbacks above average weapons. Rebuilding a linebacking corps that returns only Terrence Robinson is a key for a defense that was vulnerable to the pass.

Key game: Even though the Sooners hopes at Big 12 and national titles were ruined by a 16-13 loss to the Cowboys, they will have bigger games than the return match on Nov. 30. OSU won't, and if the expected improvement occurs the Cowboys could be playing for only their second bowl appearance in 14 seasons.

Keep an eye on: The offensive line. Only two starters, left tackle Kyle Eaton and right tackle Jason Russell return from a unit that gave up seven sacks last year, including seven in the season finale win over rival Oklahoma. JUCO transfer Sam Hall will step in at center.

It's a good year if . . . The Cowboys can make it to a bowl. A non-conference game at home against UCLA on Sept. 14 will be a good gauge of how far the Cowboys have come, but their Big 12 North schedule does them no favors with games against Kansas State in Manhattan and Nebraska in Stillwater.

Mark Wangrin covers the Big 12 for the San Antonio Express-News.