OSU football: With Mike Gundy signed, Cowboys move on to next steps

And after a historic 2011 season, which included OSU's first outright conference title and a dramatic 41-38 overtime victory against Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl, lots of pieces are in place for the Cowboys to sustain success in 2012 and beyond.

But what else to the Cowboys need to accomplish before the fall? Let's take a look.

1. Find a starting quarterback

This is obviously priority No. 1.

It's unlikely that any Cowboy quarterback will be able to straight-up replace Brandon Weeden, who leaves OSU as the greatest quarterback in school history.

But, the same probably could have been said about Zac Robinson after the 2009 season.

Each starting quarterback contender — Clint Chelf, J.W. Walsh and Wes Lunt — has their strengths and flaws.

Chelf, a rising junior, is the only returner with any college game experience. He completed 20 of his 30 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns this past season, but all of his snaps came when the game's result was already decided.

Walsh, who redshirted this season, fits the Robinson mold more than the Weeden mold. That means he gives the Cowboys more of a dual threat at the position, but it also means OSU would have to adjust its pass-first spread offense with him as the starter. But even if Walsh does not start, don't be surprised to see his athleticism at quarterback utilized in some way next season.

Lunt, a true freshman who has enrolled at OSU early and will participate in spring practice, has a big 6-foot-5, 205-pound frame and a strong arm. He might be the future at the position down the line, but it's tough to learn an offense and be ready to start as a true freshman. Getting to Stillwater early will certainly help, though.