Break time
Published: 9/25/2006 9:19 AM
Last Modified: 9/25/2006 9:19 AM
To the best of my knowledge, no college football team has ever lost when the schedule says open, off or bye.
That is good news for Oklahoma State this week. It’s much better than seeing Texas, Nebraska or Texas Tech. Or Oklahoma.
If the original 2006 schedule were still in place, this week would be Bedlam week. What a way to start off the Big 12 Conference schedule with the Sooners and Cowboys facing off in Stillwater. But the conference decided to move the Bedlam battle to Thanksgiving weekend so the game could be televised.
The week off from competition is something Mike Gundy’s team needs right now.
Saturday night’s loss at Houston demonstrated that the young Cowboys still need some areas polished before Big 12 play opens Oct. 7 at Kansas State. The tackling was sloppy against the Kevin Kolb-led Houston offense. Other than a couple Bobby Reid option plays, the Cowboys running game was nonexistent. For the first time in four games, OSU did not receive a significant boost in special teams.
Bedlam, especially in Stillwater, brings out the best in the Cowboys. There is no doubt OSU would be ready to play the Sooners if the Bedlam game were this week. But playing seven more games between now and Nov. 25 could make the 101st Bedlam battle another classic.
--- Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
