Oklahoma State HC Mike Gundy not worried about early kickoffs

Oklahoma State's schedule will look different next season, especially in terms of start times.

OSU will open its season on August 31st at 1 p.m. against South Dakota State. Not only is that earlier than any of OSU's regular season games in 2023, but it also follows two consecutive 11 a.m. kickoffs.

Last season, OSU's earliest regular-season start time was 2:30 p.m. OSU's first and only 11 a.m. kickoff came in the Big 12 Championship against Texas. Although 2023 was a somewhat unusual example of OSU's lack of early start times, it was the continuation of a years-long trend.

Over the past three seasons, OSU has played just three regular season games with early kickoffs. While OSU isn't necessarily used to playing so many early kickoffs, coach Mike Gundy isn't worried about his team's preparation despite the early season heat.

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“Across the country, there will be afternoon kickoffs, that's part of this time of year,” Gundy said. “I just talked to the team yesterday; there will be about six games that will be like that. It used to be two or three, but now we're playing games that are extremely hot into October, so guys have to get used to it and be prepared to play in the heat.”

Part of OSU's move to earlier start times next season could be due to the departure of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC. As OSU becomes one of the faces of the new Big 12, it is moving to that time slot as well.

Last season, OU had seven 11 a.m. kickoffs, a continuation of scheduling that Sooners fans have criticized for years. In five of the last six seasons, OU has had at least six games start at noon or earlier, with the shortened 2020 season being the lone exception.

While OSU has benefited from afternoon and evening game times in recent seasons, a switch to morning kickoff times could become the new normal for the Cowboys.

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