The Cowboys finished their COVID-shortened 2020 season hot, but the Pokes were picked to finish fourth in the 2021 Big 12 Preseason Poll.
Oklahoma State was picked behind Texas Tech, TCU and Texas entering the new season in the poll that was announced Thursday. In the past seven seasons under OSU coach Josh Holliday, the Cowboys have finished the regular season in the top two five times, including a regular season championship in 2014.
| Texas Tech (7) | 63 |
| TCU (1) | 52 |
| Texas (1) | 46 |
| Oklahoma State | 42 |
| Oklahoma | 31 |
| West Virginia | 29 |
| Kansas State | 28 |
| Baylor | 25 |
| Kansas | 8 |
Three Cowboys picked up preseason all-conference honors on Wednesday.