Savannah State @ Oklahoma State preview

Oklahoma State is coming off the finest season in school history, winning the Big 12 Conference championship and capping a brilliant 12-1 season with an overtime victory over Stanford and No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Luck in the Fiesta Bowl. The Cowboys reached such lofty heights behind a pinball machine-like offense that average 48.7 points per game - second in the nation. The challenge of producing an encore is enormous for Cowboys coach Mike Gundy, who must replace a pair of NFL first-round picks in stud wideout Justin Blackmon and quarterback Brandon Weeden. Sorting out any issues should not be a problem in Saturday's season opener, when Oklahoma State hosts overmatched Savannah State, an FCS school from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox College Sports. LINE: None

ABOUT SAVANNAH STATE (2011: 1-10, 1-7 MEAC): The Tigers have been unable to compete in their own conference, much less share the stage with a national powerhouse. Savannah State has posted a 19-108 record since 2000, and last season absorbed 50-plus point beatings at the hands of Southeastern Louisiana and Bethune-Cookman while being held to seven points or fewer six times. Junior quarterback Antonio Bostick, who shared the staring job last season, is trying to hold off sophomore Victorian Hardison for the Tigers, who scored one TD in their final four games last season.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (2011: 12-1, 8-1 Big 12): The spotlight will be squarely on 18-year-old quarterback Wes Lunt, who will be the first true freshman to start a season opener for the Cowboys in more than 60 years. Fortunately, he will have the luxury of leaning on a strong running game. Joseph Randle, an All-Big 12 preseason pick, rushed for 1,216 yards and 24 touchdowns last season. Jeremy Smith added 646 yards and nine touchdowns and has rushed for a score in 10 straight games. Among those vying to replace Blackmon are Isaiah Anderson, Josh Stewart, Tracy Moore and Charlie Moore. The Cowboys return their entire starting linebacker unit and feature one of the nation's best cornerback tandems in Justin Gilbert and Brodrick Brown.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Oklahoma State's defense led the nation with 44 takeaways last season.

2. The Cowboys, who have gone 23-2 the last two seasons, have won a school-record 16 straight home openers.

3. Savannah State, which produced NFL Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe, ranked last in the FCS in scoring (12.6 points per game) and total offense (238.5 yards) in 2011.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma State 70-3