In college football, few things are more brutal than being judged not by who you were, but by what you’ve become. For Mike Gundy, that judgment is fast approaching. After nearly two decades as the face of Oklahoma State’s program, Gundy now finds himself standing on a precipice. With a 1-1 start to the 2025 season that included a jaw-dropping 69-3 loss at Oregon, tonight’s home game against Tulsa isn’t just another nonconference matchup. It may well be the tipping point for his legacy in Stillwater.
The coaching world has already begun to turn — Virginia Tech fired Brent Pry, UCLA moved on from DeShaun Foster — and questions are swirling about who will be next. Gundy is squarely in that conversation. His record, 170-89 overall (102-72 in conference), still includes shining moments: a Big 12 title, multiple top-10 finishes, and a reputation for producing NFL talent. But those high points feel distant as the program now struggles to adapt in the NIL era, with a transfer portal arms race and rising expectations that OSU hasn’t matched. The Tulsa game is more than a chance to flatter the standings; it’s a test of whether Gundy still has the answers.
Tulsa: A Last (Best?) Chance for Redemption
Behind the scoreboard, Oklahoma State is desperate for stability. An injury to Hauss Hejny forced freshman Zane Flores into the starter’s role, and Flores’ first career start at Oregon exposed many of the Cowboys’ deep flaws. He completed just 7 of 19 passes for 67 yards, with two interceptions both returned for touchdowns. OSU managed only nine first downs, had 10 punts, and committed eight penalties. Oregon outgained them 631 to 211. No part of the game looked like improvement. Even the bye week that followed has to do more than rest bodies — it must reset mindset.
Against Tulsa, Gundy has a chance to show that he’s not fading. Tulsa, coached by Tre Lamb, has had its own struggles (1-2 on the season after solid opener, then consecutive losses). They’re not a powerhouse by any stretch, but they’re not pushovers either—especially with former OSU players like Dominic Richardson and Braylin Presley giving them extra motivation. The Golden Hurricane’s offense has gaps, but their talent at running back, plus a secondary that can give OSU trouble, means this won’t be an easy night.
The Stakes: Legacy, Security, and Scrutiny
Winning tonight does more than keep OSU from a losing start; it buys Gundy time and goodwill. A convincing victory could restore some faith among skeptical fans and buy the program space to breathe before conference play begins. GM staff, boosters, and university leadership will be looking for signs of competence — can the Cowboys protect the football, show discipline, dominate the line of scrimmage, and guard against the breakdowns that plagued them at Oregon?
If OSU loses or performs poorly (barely scraping by, failing to cover, or letting Tulsa hang around), the calls for change will swell. ESPN analyst Reece Davis has already pointed out that Gundy could be the next major coach on the hot seat, noting his “significant contributions to the program” but also his recent declines. He’s 1-1 now, but damning losses — especially ones that expose lack of preparation or scheme — do long-term damage. And while Gundy is an icon in Stillwater, even legends are not immune from the unforgiving nature of modern college football.
Areas OSU Must Nail
There are three key fronts where OSU must show progress if Gundy is to retain credibility:
- Quarterback performance and depth
Zane Flores needs to bounce back — avoid turnovers, complete passes with confidence, push the ball when there are opportunities. With the arrival of transfer Noah Walters, OSU should ideally have alternative options if Flores struggles. Walters was highly productive at North Alabama, throwing 1,799 yards as a freshman and over 2,300 yards the following season. OSU needs this backup not just on the roster, but ready to contribute. - Running back clarity
OSU has listed five running backs (Kalib Hicks, Freddie Brock V, Rodney Fields Jr., Trent Howland, and Sesi Vailahi) as RB1 candidates. Hicks has the volume, but his efficiency is lacking. Howland and Vailahi show higher per-carry success. This needs resolution. Offensive consistency often begins in the backfield — if OSU can establish a reliable run game, it’ll help Flores and make the offense less predictable. - Defensive toughness and discipline
Tulsa has threats, but OSU’s defense must deliver more than effort—they need execution. Oregon lit them up on the ground and through the air, meaning tonight Tulsa will test pace, screen passes, and inside runs. Gundy’s defensive coordinator, Todd Grantham, must simplify and demand fewer mental mistakes. Penalties, blown coverage, and missed assignments cannot be forgiven in a game of this importance.
What Loss Would Mean
If OSU fails to convincingly beat Tulsa, repercussions will be immediate. Not all will be public, but privately, pressure increases:
- Donors may return to questioning investment in coaching staff changes and NIL commitments.
- The messages on chat boards about Gundy’s future will grow louder. Perhaps more important: recruits may begin to think twice about committing. Perceptions shift quickly, and an image of a program in decline can be fatal in the portal era.
- Media narratives that OSU is resting on past glories will be reinforced.
A solid win, meanwhile, won’t erase 2024 or the Oregon disaster fron two weeks ago, but it might reset expectations: show that OSU can still dominate teams it’s supposed to, that the coaching adjustments have merit, and that the program isn’t yet broken beyond repair.
Final Word: Gundy’s Defining Moment
Mike Gundy’s legacy is etched in Oklahoma State lore. But legacies are not static. They evolve—or they unravel. For over 20 years, Gundy’s name was synonymous with competitiveness, with punching above the program’s weight. But the noose of NIL, portal, rising budgets, inflated expectations, and now public humiliations has tightened.
Tonight, Tulsa isn’t simply a game. It’s an audition: can Gundy show his players still believe him? Can he strip away errors, simplify the approach, and find a core competence in a wounded team? Can Flores be steady, can the defense be resilient, can the new transfers make an impact, can Tulsa be handled instead of treated like a threat?
Because if Tulsa slips, the 2025 season may turn from one of redemption into one of reckoning. And for the first time in a long time, Gundy might find his story ends not in comfort but in crossroads.
Matt Hofeld is a college football analyst and contributor covering the Big 12. Follow him for more Oklahoma State and conference-wide analysis throughout the 2025 season.
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