Game Day Thoughts – Week 2
Published: 9/5/2008 4:34 PM
Last Modified: 9/5/2008 4:34 PM
So many intriguing storylines are encased in Saturday's OSU game against Houston.
***The Cowboys have their home opener in the newly renovated Boone Pickens Stadium.
***For the dozen or so OSU players who are from the Houston area, the game represents the opportunity to renew acquaintances with a few familiar faces on the opposing team they either competed with or against in high school.
***For those Cowboys from Houston and their teammates, the chance to avenge a loss to the Cougars two years ago at Houston exists.
***For the Cougars, the chance to get another victory against a Big 12 program would be a big notch for their program and their league, Conference USA.
Seeking revenge, particularly two years later, is overrated and a waste of time. Some of the key individuals from that 34-25 Houston triumph on Sept. 23, 2006 (Bobby Reid, Adarius Bowman, D'Juan Woods and Vance Bedford for OSU; Kevin Kolb, Jackie Battle, Anthony Aldridge and Art Briles for Houston) will not be at Boone Pickens Stadium participating in this game.
For those players on both sides who did play in that 2006 game, the memories should vanish by game time at the latest. Houston has a new coaching staff and new philosophies. OSU has a different defensive coordinator and different defensive philosophy than the cockroach defense displayed in Houston two years ago.
More importantly, for OSU, this game is in Stillwater. The home-field advantage and boost from the bowled in west end zone should be worth something. As should the possibility of being 2-0 at night's end.
Three things I'll be watching closely:
***OSU defending the pass: This is a test for the Cowboys secondary. Houston quarterback Case Keenum was the C-USA Freshman of the Year last season. The Cougars have athletes joining Keenum on offense. Houston's offensive attack has similarities to Texas Tech's scheme. Put it all together and it could present problems for the Pokes.
***Robinson on the run: Washington State was effective in taking the running game option away from OSU quarterback Zac Robinson last week. Robinson finished with only 11 yards on 8 carries last week. OSU coaches want Robinson to be a little wiser in his rushing efforts when it comes to taking hits. But it's still a wise move to find a way to get Robinson involved more in the running game and provide the OSU offense with another high-potent option.
***Bring on the noise: OSU players noticed a difference last season in the noise level of Boone Pickens Stadium when there was only precast concrete in the bowled in west end zone. One wonders what the decibel level will be now with screaming and cheering fans sitting in that end zone area. Whether the attendance is 42,000, or 45,000, or 48,000 or even 50,000, the fans can provide the 12th Man advantage.
---Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
