GoPokes83
08-04-2009, 11:28 AM
In between Penn ST, and LSU.
http://cfn.scout.com/2/883939.html
8. Oklahoma State
- Preview | Offense | Defense | Depth Chart
Why Oklahoma State should be No. 1: If you're not planning on putting at least 45 points on the board, don't bother showing up to play the Cowboys. OSU scored 50 points or more five times last year and averaged 41 per outing, and all the key parts are back. The skill trio of QB Zac Robinson, RB Kendall Hunter, and WR Dez Bryant is as good, if not better, as any in college football, while OT Russell Okung and the line should be terrific. The defense might not be special, but it should be better, especially at linebacker, and the special teams are fantastic..
Why Oklahoma State isn't No. 1: The defense. It's not awful, but defense hasn't exactly been head coach Mike Gundy's thing. No one in the Big 12 does much defensively when it comes to stats, but while OU and Texas might give up points and yards against desperate offenses trying to keep up the pace, the Cowboy D is simply mediocre. The pass rush was the worst in the Big 12 last year and isn't likely to be appreciably better. And then there's the prove-it factor. For all the good things OSU did last year, it came up with a good win over Missouri and that's it. Against the other four elite teams on the slate, OU, Texas, Texas Tech and Oregon, the Cowboys allowed a total of 187 points and lost all four games.
Relative Strengths: Running Back, Quarterback
Relative Weaknesses: Secondary, Linebacker
What to watch for on offense: The secondary receivers. No. 1 target Dez Bryant has to stay healthy, which has been a wee bit of a problem, even though he's been able to tough it out when needed, but even if he's 100% the second and third receivers need to start doing more. So who will they be? DeMarcus Conner and Justin Blackmon are projected to be starters, but Isaiah Anderson and Hubert Anyiam are good options ready to make a splash.
What to look for on defense: More of a pass rush. New defensive coordinator Bill Young will try to release the hounds and get all the speed an athleticism on the Cowboy defense to start to produce big things. The pass rush was non-existent throughout last year and the secondary suffered. At all costs against the pass-happy Big 12 attacks, OSU has to sell out to hit a quarterback. The results can't be too much worse after getting picked apart for 270 yards per game and 28 scores.
http://cfn.scout.com/2/883939.html
8. Oklahoma State
- Preview | Offense | Defense | Depth Chart
Why Oklahoma State should be No. 1: If you're not planning on putting at least 45 points on the board, don't bother showing up to play the Cowboys. OSU scored 50 points or more five times last year and averaged 41 per outing, and all the key parts are back. The skill trio of QB Zac Robinson, RB Kendall Hunter, and WR Dez Bryant is as good, if not better, as any in college football, while OT Russell Okung and the line should be terrific. The defense might not be special, but it should be better, especially at linebacker, and the special teams are fantastic..
Why Oklahoma State isn't No. 1: The defense. It's not awful, but defense hasn't exactly been head coach Mike Gundy's thing. No one in the Big 12 does much defensively when it comes to stats, but while OU and Texas might give up points and yards against desperate offenses trying to keep up the pace, the Cowboy D is simply mediocre. The pass rush was the worst in the Big 12 last year and isn't likely to be appreciably better. And then there's the prove-it factor. For all the good things OSU did last year, it came up with a good win over Missouri and that's it. Against the other four elite teams on the slate, OU, Texas, Texas Tech and Oregon, the Cowboys allowed a total of 187 points and lost all four games.
Relative Strengths: Running Back, Quarterback
Relative Weaknesses: Secondary, Linebacker
What to watch for on offense: The secondary receivers. No. 1 target Dez Bryant has to stay healthy, which has been a wee bit of a problem, even though he's been able to tough it out when needed, but even if he's 100% the second and third receivers need to start doing more. So who will they be? DeMarcus Conner and Justin Blackmon are projected to be starters, but Isaiah Anderson and Hubert Anyiam are good options ready to make a splash.
What to look for on defense: More of a pass rush. New defensive coordinator Bill Young will try to release the hounds and get all the speed an athleticism on the Cowboy defense to start to produce big things. The pass rush was non-existent throughout last year and the secondary suffered. At all costs against the pass-happy Big 12 attacks, OSU has to sell out to hit a quarterback. The results can't be too much worse after getting picked apart for 270 yards per game and 28 scores.