Game Day thoughts - Week 3
Published: 9/14/2007 10:14 AM
Last Modified: 9/14/2007 10:14 AM
Though I am a complete neutral observer, I do share a common belief with the Oklahoma State football team.
We don't like road games.
The difference is that the results from the road games cling to the OSU program forever. I can, eventually, make up for the lost hours of sleep and lost time away from my wife while covering these road games.
When the 2007 schedule was released, fans and members of the program rightfully focused on the opener at Georgia. I didn't overlook the Georgia game, but the week 3 game at Troy immediately caught my attention. This is an ambush waiting to happen.
I understand the OSU company line of taking a 2-for-1 deal (two games in Stillwater for one on the road) as long as the road received ESPN2 national television coverage.
For the OSU program, the hope is that a horror show for those in orange does not break out on ESPN2. Missouri still cannot get away from the jabs and jokes about its loss at Troy three years ago.
Three things I will be keying on tonight down in Troy.
***OSU's quarterback play. There is no truth to the rumors that Bill Haisten or I will get the first snap for OSU. Will it be Bobby Reid, proving Mike Gundy's statement that a player doesn't lose a starting job to injury? Will it be Zac Robinson, proving that he gives the Cowboys the best chance to win this game or that Reid is really injured more than Gundy is letting on or that Gundy is merely playing games with the truth? Regardless of the reasoning or the player, the OSU quarterback tonight must perform to a high level and the help the Cowboys put 30-plus points on the board.
***Slowing down the Trojans offense. Troy has scored 26 points at Arkansas and 31 points at Florida. Gee, now insert OSU's defense this week. OK, for the Cowboys defenders to not be the punch line of future jokes like Missouri was three years ago they must contain Troy QB Omar Haugabook. The Troy QB is a dual threat, run-pass guy. Remember how much success run-pass guys Brad Smith, Reggie McNeal and Vince Young have had in the past on OSU? Haugabook also loves to throw those quick screen passes that allow his receivers to gain lots of yardage after the catch. Georgia had a lot of success with that play two weeks ago. Houston shredded the OSU defense last year with that play. Texas Tech has used that play to great degree's of success from day one of Mike Leach's coaching tenure. The defensive backs better be ready for a steady diet of that play tonight.
***Taking care of business. OSU has bigger players than Troy. OSU has better players than Troy across the board. It's as simple as that. If the Cowboys execute their game plan in all three phases of the game, they head home 2-1 preparing for next week's Big 12 opener against Texas Tech.
Prediction: OSU 34, Troy 24. It will be a tight fit all night long. But the offense, regardless if it’s Reid or Robinson or both at the controls, will deliver a game-clinching touchdown drive in the final five minutes.
--- Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
