If 2017 was supposed to be the best shot at a 2011 season, then how much 2018 is like 2012 (or 2014) will communicate much about Oklahoma State as a football program.
The last time Oklahoma State needed to replace an all-time great quarterback and receiver, it was Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon.
The next three seasons ebbed and flowed. It took until November 2014 for OSU to discover a signal-caller who could consistently keep the Cowboys in Big 12 title contention. Oklahoma State was the Big 12 favorite in 2013, but sandwiched 8-5 and 7-6 seasons around it.