Game Day Thoughts – Week 10
Published: 11/7/2008 11:12 PM
Last Modified: 11/7/2008 11:12 PM
LUBBOCK, Texas – Confession time: I'll admit I was probably wrong about this Oklahoma State football team.
Back in the preseason, I predicted here on this blog and in GoPokes magazine that a 7-5 regular season was in store for the Cowboys. Oops. Guess I was a little bit off there and did not show the Cowboys enough respect.
Those concerns I (and others) had about the defense and OSU's ability to win road games have been quelled somewhat. Still, even with the victory last month at Missouri and the near-miss two weeks ago at Texas, there remains doubt regarding OSU's defense and its ability to win away from Stillwater.
Upon arrival in Lubbock, the talk on the radio and from Texas Tech fans locally is that Graham Harrell, Michael Crabtree and the Red Raiders will hang 50 points on the Cowboys with no problem Saturday night. Heck, if Tech can beat Texas last week, why should OSU offer any problem is their thought. Tech fans view the Red Raiders' battle in two weeks at Oklahoma as their biggest challenge and obstacle for the Big 12 and possible national championship.
These OSU Cowboys get no respect. They didn't get it back in the summer when no Cowboys were selected for the preseason All-Big 12 team by media members. They didn't get any in thinking they could contend in the Big 12 South. They have not gotten any entering road conference games already this season and they are not getting any entering this road game at Texas Tech.
Unlike some teams (and fan bases), OSU has avoided playing the no respect card. The performance on the field week after week has helped enhance the respect level for the OSU program.
It has been mentioned here a few times that the maturity of this OSU team has been a significant factor in OSU's success this season. The maturity will be tested again Saturday night. In a season of pleasant surprises, it would be surprising if the mature Cowboys were fazed by anything presented in the wild and crazy Lubbock atmosphere.
Three things I'll be watching closely in Saturday night's Big 12 South showdown:
***The OSU running game: One of the consistent staples all season for the 8-1 Cowboys. No Big 12 team has a running back as good as Kendall Hunter. Not many Big 12 teams have a running back as good as Keith Toston. Hunter and Toston have to continue the ground-game success for the Cowboys. The magic number I have in mind is 225 yards. If the Cowboys can gain that total and punch in touchdowns, it definitely will help pave the way to victory.
***The Texas Tech running game: One of the underappreciated aspects this season for the 9-0 Red Raiders. Baron Batch and Shannon Woods have provided enough of a running threat for opponents to play Tech's pass-happy attack a little more honestly. In beating Tech in 2005 and 2007, OSU thwarted Tech's running efforts. It would benefit OSU to keep these two backs from coming close to matching their combined 126 yards a game.
***Takeaways: OSU forced three turnovers at Missouri and won. The Cowboys forced two turnovers at Texas and lost. If a third turnover was not taken away by a penalty that day, the Cowboys would have won that game as well. OSU needs a plus-2 advantage in turnover margin in this game.
---Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
