Every team starts the year undefeated, but only a handful have a legitimate chance of winning the College Football Playoff.
When evaluating possible contenders, Oklahoma State presents a quandary: The Cowboys rank 10th in Mark Schlabach's Way-Too-Early Top 25, but 26th in ESPN's preseason Football Power Index.
This indicates that coach Mike Gundy's squad could be considered a sleeper playoff pick or a bust candidate. Which is more likely?
Here's a look at the pros and cons of the Pokes' playoff potential: