KTUL.com - Tulsa's Channel 8 - News, Weather & SportsAthlon Sports Says OSU Should Begin 2012 Outside Top 25

National publications continue to believe Oklahoma State is a one and done, with one publication predicting the Cowboys won't be in the Top 25 when the 2012 season rolls around.

Athlon Sports' Steve Lassan is out with his "Very Early College Football Top 25 For 2012". It's no surprise that LSU is at the top of the poll and also among the Top 10 are your typical powerhouse programs like USC, Oregon, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Florida State, Michigan and Virginia Tech.

Lassan's pick for OU being seventh rests on his expectation that Landry Jones returns for his senior season and the return of several other offensive weapons, although most expect Jones to be a mid-to-high first round NFL Draft pick.

But, Oklahoma State, despite the losses of Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon not even in the Top 25? Lassan has the Cowboys as a "team to watch", but says a deep Big 12 Conference could push the Pokes into a fifth or worse finish.

Oklahoma State will have plenty of questions, but it will also have plenty of talent returning, including Joseph Randle, who is second in the nation in scoring with 25 touchdowns, as well as fellow running mates Jeremy Smith and Herschel Sims.

Receivers Isaiah Anderson, Michael Harrison and Tracy Moore may not be Justin Blackmon, but Blackmon wasn't Blackmon two years ago and that trio has done very well this season.

Defensively, Shaun Lewis and Caleb Lavey return at linebacker and the defensive backfield will still be stocked with Justin Gilbert and Daytawion Lowe coming back. There is also a wealth of talent that didn't even hit the field this year.

The other Big 12 teams Lassan has in the top 25 include Texas (17th), Baylor (21st), Kansas State (22nd) and TCU (25th).

To view Lassan's full Top 25 list, visit http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/very-early-college-football-top-25-2012