Game day thoughts – Week 8
Published: 10/20/2007 10:38 AM
Last Modified: 10/20/2007 10:38 AM
The opportunity awaiting Oklahoma State is apparent. No road trips for a month. Three consecutive games at home, with an open date sandwiched between the first and second games.
Some OSU fans can envision a dream scenario. The Cowboys are in line for payback against tonight's opponent, Kansas State, after blowing a 10-point lead to the Wildcats with four minutes left last year in Manhattan, Kan.
After an off week, Texas comes to Stillwater. This could be the year to get the Longhorns. The capper to the three-game home stand is Kansas, a basketball school who is experiencing unprecedented football success this fall. That Cinderella story has to strike midnight at some point.
Following the home games are trips to Baylor and Bedlam rival Oklahoma. Can the Cowboys roll into Norman with hopes of Big 12 South Division title?
Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. OSU needs to show it can win back-to-back conference games first. The Cowboys have not done that under Mike Gundy.
The missed opportunities linger. The heartbreakers against Texas A&M the past two years after wins over KU last year and Texas Tech this year continued a rollercoaster feeling. The last-second heartbreaker last year at Tech following a blowout of Baylor didn't give a sustained boost.
Will last week's first win at Nebraska in 47 years just be a historical footnote or just the start of something big for the Cowboys?
Three things I'll be watching for tonight.
*** Special teams play. Kansas State is excellent is this aspect. OSU typically has been strong in this aspect, but has struggled at times this year. OSU needs its best special teams effort of the year.
*** Big-play bonanza. With Zac Robinson at the controls, the chunk plays (plays of 14-plus yards) have been more frequent for OSU. K-State, though, is the best defense OSU has faced since the opener at Georgia. OSU must capitalize on the chunk plays.
*** Josh by gosh. K-State QB Josh Freeman made his first career start against OSU last year and grew up in a hurry by leading the Wildcats to the 31-27 comeback win. Freeman, though, is still prone to getting flustered. OSU can't allow the 'Cat QB to get comfortable early.
--- Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
