JimBob
11-29-2008, 10:31 AM
3 Storylines: OSU
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
11/29/2008
A look at three key things for OSU in today’s OU-OSU contest.
Which defense shows up?
Oklahoma State’s defense produced diWerence-making plays in the Missouri and Texas games. At Texas Tech, the Cowboy defense was roasted. Now, OSU faces the balanced and prolific Sooners. The Cowboys have only 13 sacks all season. Can they generate any pressure on OU’s Sam Bradford? On 64 trips inside of their opponents’ 20-yard line, the Sooners have scored 56 touchdowns. For OSU to have a chance, its defense must have its best performance of the season.
The run game and the clock
If OSU had not abandoned its ground game during the fourth period of the Texas game, the Cowboys might have beaten the then-No. 1-ranked Longhorns. OU has a solid run defense, but not a great run defense. If Kendall Hunter can reach his average of 130 rushing yards and the Cowboys can match their team average of 261, Saturday’s game could be very interesting. Running eWectively burns the clock and keeps Bradford and the Sooner oWense on the sideline.
Secondary playmakers
OSU wide receiver Dez Bryant is the most dynamic playmaker in Saturday’s game. He averages 111 receiving yards and has scored 18 touchdowns, but was neutralized by Missouri, Texas and Texas Tech. OU has the personnel and coaching to make it a di`cult Saturday night for Bryant. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew is a tremendous short- and medium-yardage option for Zac Robinson, but the other Cowboy wide receivers must make downfield plays when Bryant is blanketed by two defenders.
3 storylines: OU
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
11/29/2008
A look at three key things for OU in today’s OU-OSU contest.
Tune it out
After enjoying an unprecedented party atmosphere at home last week, the Sooners finish the regular season in the unfriendly confines of Boone Pickens Stadium, where coach Bob Stoops says OSU fans are “sitting on the bench with you.” The walls are close, the din is deafening and the Cowboys can use that emotion. But OU is 4-0 in road games this season, with an average score of 53-28.
Stand your ground
Oklahoma State has a punishing running game, and that’s where the Sooner defense will start. The Cowboys average 261 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry, tops in the Big 12. OU has the league’s second-best run defense, allowing 102 yards per game and just 3.1 per carry. OSU’s Zac Robinson is a capable passer — he’s third nationally in e`ciency and completes 67 percent of his throws — but he went 8-for-20 in this game last season, so the Sooners will take their chances there.
Kick coverage
OSU has the Big 12’s best special teams. OU has the Big 12’s worst. Dez Bryant (17.9 on punts) and Perrish Cox (29.2 on kickoWs) are two of the nation’s best return men, with three TDs between them. The Sooners rank last in the nation in net punting and 108th in covering kicks. A solid Sooner strategy here: deep squibs, kicking out of bounds, directional punting and maybe going for it once in a while on fourth-and-short. OU has been close to getting a punt blocked; here it could be a disaster.
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
11/29/2008
A look at three key things for OSU in today’s OU-OSU contest.
Which defense shows up?
Oklahoma State’s defense produced diWerence-making plays in the Missouri and Texas games. At Texas Tech, the Cowboy defense was roasted. Now, OSU faces the balanced and prolific Sooners. The Cowboys have only 13 sacks all season. Can they generate any pressure on OU’s Sam Bradford? On 64 trips inside of their opponents’ 20-yard line, the Sooners have scored 56 touchdowns. For OSU to have a chance, its defense must have its best performance of the season.
The run game and the clock
If OSU had not abandoned its ground game during the fourth period of the Texas game, the Cowboys might have beaten the then-No. 1-ranked Longhorns. OU has a solid run defense, but not a great run defense. If Kendall Hunter can reach his average of 130 rushing yards and the Cowboys can match their team average of 261, Saturday’s game could be very interesting. Running eWectively burns the clock and keeps Bradford and the Sooner oWense on the sideline.
Secondary playmakers
OSU wide receiver Dez Bryant is the most dynamic playmaker in Saturday’s game. He averages 111 receiving yards and has scored 18 touchdowns, but was neutralized by Missouri, Texas and Texas Tech. OU has the personnel and coaching to make it a di`cult Saturday night for Bryant. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew is a tremendous short- and medium-yardage option for Zac Robinson, but the other Cowboy wide receivers must make downfield plays when Bryant is blanketed by two defenders.
3 storylines: OU
By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
11/29/2008
A look at three key things for OU in today’s OU-OSU contest.
Tune it out
After enjoying an unprecedented party atmosphere at home last week, the Sooners finish the regular season in the unfriendly confines of Boone Pickens Stadium, where coach Bob Stoops says OSU fans are “sitting on the bench with you.” The walls are close, the din is deafening and the Cowboys can use that emotion. But OU is 4-0 in road games this season, with an average score of 53-28.
Stand your ground
Oklahoma State has a punishing running game, and that’s where the Sooner defense will start. The Cowboys average 261 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry, tops in the Big 12. OU has the league’s second-best run defense, allowing 102 yards per game and just 3.1 per carry. OSU’s Zac Robinson is a capable passer — he’s third nationally in e`ciency and completes 67 percent of his throws — but he went 8-for-20 in this game last season, so the Sooners will take their chances there.
Kick coverage
OSU has the Big 12’s best special teams. OU has the Big 12’s worst. Dez Bryant (17.9 on punts) and Perrish Cox (29.2 on kickoWs) are two of the nation’s best return men, with three TDs between them. The Sooners rank last in the nation in net punting and 108th in covering kicks. A solid Sooner strategy here: deep squibs, kicking out of bounds, directional punting and maybe going for it once in a while on fourth-and-short. OU has been close to getting a punt blocked; here it could be a disaster.