The weather is growing from comfortably warm to obnoxiously hot, the only way Oklahoma knows how to do it. Anticipation of 6 a.m. workouts — the heavy weights, the conditioning, and the motivational speeches after the torture is over — the breakdown of "one, two, three, conference champs!," sets in, and each time it is said, a bit more power is put behind those words. It is all leading up to early September, when the lights come on and the pistols are firing. For the past few seasons, the Cowboys have been coming up short and underachieving. That all ends this year. This is the year "Them Boys" win the Big 12 and head to the College Football Playoff.
If there is ever a time to become an OSU fan, now will be that time. from the frustration of how last season ended, to the high note of 2014, The Boys are poised and ready for upsets, and to have respect on their name.
There are five reasons that now is the year, five reasons to lose your voice at every game, and to not miss one game.
1. Mason Rudolph and James Washington.
There was Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Shaq and Kobe, Tom Brady and Wes Welker, Dante Culpepper and Randy Moss, Justin Blackmon and Brandon Weeden, and now there is Mason Rudolph and James Washington. The big-league arm of Rudolph and the game-breaking ability of Washington will only get better, as the two have a solid year together under their belt. Last year, the nation felt their presence after an astonishing upset victory over TCU. Now, their presence will be felt by leading the Pokes to their second Big 12 title and their first Playoff.
2. Marcell Ateman.
A consistent Marcell Ateman is a dangerous one. His ability to stretch the field and complement James Washington will help out what is already a juggernaut of an offense. Marcell Ateman showed some of his game-breaking abilities back in 2013, and it would be nothing short of a blessing for him to better that form heading into the 2016 season. Ateman showed glimpses of what his presence means last fall. Now, it is his time to step up and make plays each time his number is called.
3. A real rushing attack.
The Achilles' heel of what was promised to be a season to remember last year was the lack of running backs. With the addition of Barry Sanders Jr. and Justice Hill to complement Rennie Childs, Jeff Carr, and Chris Carson, the talent is there. All that is needed now is consistency.
4. Defense.
Offense wins games, and defense wins championships. With the loss of Jimmy Bean and Emmanuel Ogbah, things seemed lost. With the returning of the secondary and two of the three linebackers, defense should be just as disruptive, if not more.
5. Consistency.
When The Boys show up, nobody can beat them. It has been shown time and time again. Once the boys find consistency, which they will this fall, it will carry them through as Big 12 champs and to a Playoff appearance. The leadership is there, the talent is everywhere, and now it is time to make it all click. This will be a season to remember and the best time to be alive.
Being consistent is key to winning every day in your personal life as well. What you do, in time, will define you. It matters not how far you get knocked down, but that you keep standing up time and time again.
Go be a winner.
