By Louis Ojeda, Jr.
FOXSportsSouthwest.com
Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy took the Cowboys to new heights last season, but finishing with a national championship remains the goal.
Big 12 newcomers West Virginia and TCU will already challenge the defending Big 12 champions along with perennial powerhouses Texas and Oklahoma
With the 2012 schedule set and spring football upon us, here's a look at what the Cowboys will face this fall.
Sept. 1 - Savannah State
The Cowboys' season-opener will be nothing more than a tuneup game and should be over fairly quickly. Savannah State went 1-10 in its second season as a member of the MEAC and finished as the worst offensive team in the FCS last year. The Tigers haven't had a winning season since 1997.
Sept. 8 - @ Arizona
Oklahoma State's dominance over the Wildcats the last two seasons likely played a part in the departure of Arizona head coach Mike Stoops. But the Cowboys will see him back on the sidelines with brother Bob Stoops at Oklahoma later this season in Norman.
Sept. 15 - UL Lafayette
The Ragin' Cajuns are riding high after their first bowl victory since 1944, but it's a season that included a 61-34 defeat to Oklahoma State. Second-year head coach Mark Hudspeth looks to build off his initial success with record-setting quarterback Blaine Gautier and several other key offensive players returning.
Sept. 29 - Texas
What was once a series full of embarrassing defeats to Texas, the Cowboys turned the table on the Longhorns with back-to-back wins in Austin. However, Texas head coach Mack Brown has still never lost in Stillwater.
Oct. 13 - @ Kansas
Oklahoma State scored 70 points against the nation's worst defense last year. New Kansas head coach Charlie Weis has his work cut out for him with plenty of other teams in the Big 12 that can light up the scoreboard, too.
Oct. 20 - Iowa State
Brandon Weeden, Justin Blackmon and several other key players from last year's team may be gone, but every Cowboy will be looking forward to a rematch against the team that crushed their national title dreams.
Oct. 27 - TCU
Oklahoma State and TCU haven't met on the football field since 1993, but this series should develop into one of the most exciting in the Big 12.
Nov. 3 - @ Kansas State
K-State almost pulled off the upset in Stillwater last year and will look to get the job done in 2012 at home. The Wildcats will likely be the favored ones this fall with quarterback Collin Klein and 17 other returning starters.
Nov. 10 - West Virginia
The man who engineered the high-flying Oklahoma State offense makes his first return visit to Stillwater. Former offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen quickly turned West Virginia into the same scoring machine in his first season as head coach, winning the Big East in the Mountaineers' final season and scoring a record 70 points in an Orange Bowl victory.
Nov. 17 - Texas Tech
How did Oklahoma State follow up winning in Lubbock for the first time since 1944? In a return trip to the South Plains the last season, the Cowboys handed the Red Raiders their worst loss in school history, 66-6. Head coach Tommy Tuberville made some drastic changes on defense to make sure that never happens again.
Nov. 24 - @ Oklahoma
Winning the Fiesta Bowl was the highlight of the season, but perhaps Oklahoma State's sweetest victory was a dominating Bedlam game win. Sooner fans haven't forgotten the bitter defeat and QB Landry Jones returns as they will host the Cowboys after making two-straight trips to Stillwater.
Dec. 1 - @ Baylor
Robert Griffin III has left the Bears, but that doesn't bother the Cowboys since they were the only Big 12 team the Heisman Trophy winner couldn't beat. OSU will make its first trip back to Waco after hosting the Bears the last two seasons.
