Oklahoma State Projected for Liberty Bowl in 2026

Cowboys look to bounce back after missing last two bowl seasons

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Oklahoma State is projected to return to the postseason in 2026, with CBS Sports' Brad Crawford predicting the Cowboys will face Florida in the Liberty Bowl. After missing out on bowl games the past two seasons, a potential 10-win season and victory over an SEC opponent would provide much-needed momentum for the program under new head coach Eric Morris.

Why it matters

Oklahoma State has struggled the past two seasons, winning just four games total. A bowl berth in 2026 would be a clear sign of progress and could help the Cowboys build toward competing for a Big 12 title and potential College Football Playoff spot in the following years.

The details

In his way-too-early 2026 bowl projections, Crawford has Oklahoma State facing Florida in the Liberty Bowl. While the Cowboys weren't projected to make the 12-team College Football Playoff field, a potential 10-win season and victory over an SEC opponent would provide a major boost of confidence and momentum for the program.

  • The 2026 college football season is still months away, with spring practices yet to begin.
  • CBS Sports' Brad Crawford released his way-too-early 2026 bowl projections on March 2, 2026.

The players

Eric Morris

The new head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys, tasked with turning the program around after two down seasons.

Brad Crawford

A writer for CBS Sports who released early projections for the 2026 college football bowl season.

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What they’re saying

“While football season is still months away and spring football is still yet to begin, looking ahead to what next year's postseason could look like is intriguing.”

— Brad Crawford, CBS Sports Writer (si.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This projection highlights Oklahoma State's opportunity to bounce back in 2026 and regain its status as a program on the rise in the Big 12. A potential 10-win season and bowl victory would provide a major boost of momentum for the Cowboys as they look to compete for conference titles and playoff berths in the years to come.