Through two weeks of the 2025 season, one thing is abundantly clear: Oklahoma State has a serious problem on the defensive side of the ball. After surrendering 69 points to Oregon in Week 2 and looking equally vulnerable against Tulsa, the Cowboys defense has become a glaring liability—and questions are starting to mount about what’s really going wrong.
This isn’t the kind of performance anyone expected when Todd Grantham was hired as defensive coordinator. With 35 years of experience, including 13 seasons in the NFL and 22 at the Power 4 level, Grantham arrived in Stillwater with a résumé that commands respect. His units have finished in the top 20 nationally in total defense six times, and top 10 four times. He earned his reputation with elite defenses at Florida and Georgia, blending aggressive play-calling with NFL-caliber fundamentals.
But so far in Stillwater, the results have been disastrous.
The Cowboys' Week 2 outing against Oregon was a defensive meltdown. Not only did they give up 66 points, but they were completely outmatched in all phases—missed tackles, blown coverages, and no pressure on the quarterback. Against Tulsa, while the scoreboard didn’t look as ugly (still ugly), the Golden Hurricane moved the ball far too easily, exposing poor pursuit angles and soft coverage once again. The numbers don’t lie, but the tape is even worse.
So what gives?
Is it the personnel? Possibly. This isn’t a team loaded with blue-chip defensive talent. There are a few playmakers, but overall, the unit lacks elite speed and depth. Some players look out of their comfort zone and are overwhelmed by their responsibilities.
Could it be a scheme fit issue? Grantham’s defenses are known for complexity and aggression—lots of stunts, blitz packages, and man coverage. That works great when you have the talent and experience to execute it. But trying to run a complicated, NFL-style defense with a young or mismatched group can quickly lead to confusion and breakdowns. And right now, OSU looks confused far too often. As an experienced coach he should have the intuition to know what he should and shouldn’t run based off of the players he currently has on this roster.
Is it a lack of effort? That’s a harder question—but one that’s beginning to surface. This question is tough to ask because we aren’t the ones playing the games but from the outside looking in this seems possible. After a rough 2024 and slow start to 2025, maybe players are checking out. Too many missed tackles. Too little urgency. When things go south early in games, the body language hasn’t been encouraging. Whether that’s about culture, leadership, or fatigue it has to change.
Of course, some context is fair. Grantham is in his first season at Oklahoma State, and systemic overhauls don’t happen overnight. But fans aren't asking for perfection, they're asking for competency. Giving up 60+ points to a ranked opponent and struggling against an in-state Group of Five school doesn’t inspire much confidence.
And now, the stakes are rising. If this defense doesn’t tighten up fast, both Grantham and Mike Gundy could find themselves past the hot seat and looking for jobs come 2026. Gundy has long enjoyed job security thanks to consistent bowl trips and program stability, but the Big 12 isn’t going to get easier and the patience is running thin. And if the defense continues to be a sieve, it won't matter how many points the offense puts up, which hasn’t been much better on the side either.
Something has to change and it has to happen fast. Whether it’s simplifying the scheme, shifting personnel, or flat-out demanding more intensity. The coaches need to start holding more accountability to their players. Because if this version of Oklahoma State’s defense sticks around much longer, the only thing the Cowboys will be contending for this year is damage control. Grantham and Gundy might be on the chopping block sooner than people expected.