Gauging the puls of fans on the Cowboys’ quarterback quandary.

The analysis business puts fans in a difficult spot. Without access to the playbook, practice or postgame press conferences, it’s hard to know who was at fault for an incompletion or missed blocking assignment.

Oklahoma State’s quarterback conundrum is ripe for analysis. The Cowboys played three quarterbacks in the opener. Redshirt freshman Garret Rangel, senior Alan Bowman and redshirt sophomore Gunnar Gundy split snaps pretty evenly in the 27-13 win over Central Arkansas. No clear cut leader emerged. 

So what does OSU’s fanbase think of the potential starting quarterbacks? This week I used Twitter (X) to take the pulse of the portion active on that social media platform.

First, some disclaimers.

One segment of Oklahoma State fans speak don’t speak for everyone. People responding to polls on social media are just one demographic of Cowboy football fans. The sample size was solid, but not overwhelming. The first question received 1,135 votes and the other three questions had about 200 respondents each. 

That said, here’s how things shook out.

Who should start for OSU against Arizona State?

Alright #okstate fans I need your help. Working on a story about OSU’s QB situation. I’d like to gauge the fans’ pulse on a couple questions.

1) Who should start for OSU against Arizona State on Saturday?

— Sam Hutchens (@Sam_Hutchens_) September 5, 2023

A relatively close poll with no majority winner is a good summation of the OSU quarterback battle. Almost half of respondents think Rangel should be OSU’s starter Saturday. He started against Central Arkansas and went 10-for-15 for 118 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Who was most impressive against Central Arkansas?

Can OSU be successful running a multi-quarterback system this year?

— Sam Hutchens (@Sam_Hutchens_) September 5, 2023

Finally mass agreement. Regardless of which quarterback OSU fans support, there is a strong consensus that OSU should find one player to settle on. The Cowboys last fielded a three-quarterback battle in 2012. That led to mixed results, with Clint Chelf, J.W. Walsh and Wes Lunt combining to go 8-5 and beat Purdue in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

Who do you think is the best quarterback on OSU’s roster?

Who do you think is the best QB on OSU’s roster?

— Sam Hutchens (@Sam_Hutchens_) September 5, 2023

The ‘other’ option helps satisfy the fans who think Zane Flores, a true freshman out of Gretna, Nebraska who won a high school state championship in 2021, is OSU’s quarterback of the future. He may be, but the plan right now appears for him to take a redshirt year. ‘Other’ may also be a protest vote for fans unsatisfied with Rangel, Bowman and Gundy.

Conclusion

The only thing truly uniting a vast majority of fans is a disbelief in OSU’s multi-quarterback offense. OSU fans may have their differences about who should trot out first to lead the Cowboys offense on Saturday against the Sun Devils, but 89% of voters don’t think playing multiple quarterbacks will be a successful strategy. 

More fan feedback

People who think Gundy should lead the pokes are A. Drinking too much “Gundy”kool-aid and B. Are delusional. Rangel is the best QB on the roster. Team gels better with him in the game. https://t.co/Csx7lGwbIc

— Drew East (@aeast84) September 7, 2023

I still think Bowman should get the start and maybe play the whole half. He was the victim of multiple dropped passes and the line was also a bit inconsistent during the stretch. No disrespect to either if the other two, thats just how I saw it.

— Ckmills (@preahat1) September 7, 2023

Rangel would have put up big numbers had he been able to play more on Saturday night. I think he has the most talent out of the 3

— Kevin Gunter (@KGunter77) September 5, 2023

What I said aloud when he came in the game had a MUCH different tone than what I said after the game. I really couldn’t believe they didn’t put Rangel back in, but I was happy Gunnar played so well. No shaky hands lol.

— Brad Rice (@BolandDrummer) September 7, 2023

I think all three are right. Gundy can be impressive on Saturday and Rangel most talented overall.

With 3 being close, we just need to pick one of the younger guys with best upside and start developing them. At presser Gundy said Bowman playing to help with future transfers.

— Ryan Baskin (@ryandbaskin) September 7, 2023