How will Oklahoma State football spread carries among running backs vs. Central Michigan?

STILLWATER — Coming off a remarkable season that led to a Big 12 title game appearance and a Fiesta Bowl victory, Oklahoma State is ready for the sequel.

Whether it goes as planned, that’s to be determined.

But the opening of the season is here, with the 11th-ranked Cowboys hosting Central Michigan at 6 p.m. Thursday in Boone Pickens Stadium.

Here are three players to watch, two big questions and one wild prediction:

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3 players to watch in OSU vs. Central Michigan

Offensive lineman Caleb Etienne: A celebrated recruit from Butler (Kansas) Community College, Etienne enters the season as the starting left tackle. A year ago, he arrived 50 pounds heavier than his current 6-foot-7, 325-pound frame and not quite ready to contribute. Now, he’s ready and in a crucial position. How he plays will determine a lot for the offense.

Defensive end Trace Ford: The former Edmond Santa Fe star last played on Dec. 12, 2020, when he tore his ACL against Baylor. He tore the other ACL before last season. Now healthy, there is belief that his elite burst and athleticism is back. His return deepens an already loaded defensive end position.

Quarterback Spencer Sanders: Entering his fourth year as the starter, Sanders has been labeled a “magician” in the offense. He knows it inside and out. Coming off the best season of his career, the All-Big 12 quarterback is looking to follow that up with an even better year. The Cowboys go as he goes.

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2 big questions in OSU vs. Central Michigan

How will the running back committee work to start the season? Former McGuinness star Dominic Richardson is the starter. He’s played in 21 games the past two seasons. It’s behind him that’s a committee of players with little to no experience. Jaden Nixon has some experience. True freshman Ollie Gordon has yet to play. And Texas A&M transfer Deondre Jackson, who has played minimally, said Wednesday he will not suit up due to an academic issue. That leaves Zack Middleton and true freshman CJ Brown as the likely next guys up. But how offensive coordinator Kasey Dunn distributes carries, especially early in the year, will be intriguing.

Malcolm Rodriguez and Devin Harper are gone. What can be expected from the linebackers? The two are now in the NFL turning heads after a year where they rarely left the field. Newcomer Xavier Benson and junior Mason Cobb are stepping into the starting roles. How they play will be crucial to the defense’s success. Benson has experience — he started at Texas Tech as a freshman before transferring — and Cobb got some valuable snaps in the past.

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1 wild prediction in OSU vs. Central Michigan

Brennan Presley will score on offense and special teams. The Cowboys want the ball in Presley’s hands as much as possible. To start the year, the electric player delivers with a return touchdown — either on punt or kickoff — and a receiving score, igniting a dominating night.

Jacob Unruh, Staff writer

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSU vs. Central Michigan: How will Cowboys spread carries among RBs?