Game Day Thoughts – Week 11
Published: 11/15/2008 12:20 AM
Last Modified: 11/15/2008 12:20 AM
BOULDER, Colo. – As we stand right now, it is safe to call Oklahoma State's 2008 football season a success.
But will it be safe to say that in two weeks? Or six weeks from now? The Cowboys' current 8-2 record and No. 11 ranking in the Associated Press poll has brought increased national attention to the OSU program for the first time in a while.
Counting Saturday night's game at Colorado, five of the past six games have been televised by either ESPN or ABC. It will be six of seven when ABC shows the Bedlam game in two weeks.
The success to this point is the reason for increased television exposure. But earning more success in 2008 can have positive ramifications and additional exposure for 2009.
That is why the Cowboys cannot afford a misstep at Colorado. Back in the summer, this was a toss-up game because it was a road game (presumed to be a troubling aspect for OSU) and the thought Colorado was poised to breakthrough as a winning team.
Well, now in the crisp and very cool weather of mid-November in Colorado we know that OSU is a distinct favorite because it has become a better road team and that Colorado has endured an inconsistent season.
If the Cowboys were to stumble home with a couple more losses, the first two months of strong and solid play would be forgotten. Guess that's why a common college football motto is "Remember November."
However, the opportunity still exists to forget what happened last week in Lubbock, Texas, and make this a November to remember.
Three times I'll be watching closely Saturday night:
***Blocking out the elements: OK, Folsom Field is a mile above sea level. OK, temperatures will be dropping towards the freezing mark as the game progresses. OK, the natural grass surface at Folsom Field just might be the slowest surface OSU has played on this season. None of that should matter. The Cowboys just need to go out and play football.
***Quick start: Getting off to a good start from the opening kickoff is the best way to put last week's setback at Texas Tech behind the Cowboys. Also, it wouldn't be bad if Dez Bryant got off to a quick start as well. His road "woes" are a bit overblown. But it's never a bad idea to get your best player involved early and often.
***Defensive recovery: Texas Tech shredded OSU's defense last week. Colorado's offense is not as potent or as successful. The Cowboys' defense, though, can ill afford another breakdown, particularly against the league's worst offense.
---Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
