Game day thoughts – Week 9
Published: 11/2/2007 5:04 PM
Last Modified: 11/2/2007 5:04 PM
Status quo or a step forward? That is the question the Oklahoma State football program must answer Saturday.
For the past decade, the script has been played out several different ways whenever the Cowboys have played Texas. But the end result always has been the same: a Longhorns victory.
It did not matter whether Texas needed a last-second made field goal off the upright (37-34 in 1998), a stopped two-point conversion pass (17-15 in 2002), Vince Young-led second-half comebacks (55-16 in 2003, 56-35 in 2004 and 47-28 in 2005), or simply solid triumphs (34-21 in 1999, 42-7 in 2000, 45-17 in 2001 and 36-10 in 2006). The point is Texas won and found ways to win.
The month of the November could be one to remember for OSU if it takes that step forward Saturday. Two veteran writers who cover Texas believe the Pokes are primed for a big leap ahead for the rest of month.
Chip Brown of the Dallas Morning News: OSU 41-31. "I think it's a shootout on Saturday, which probably doesn't bode well for UT because that means the crowd in Stillwater stays in the game at a rabid pitch. This game will come down to the Texas defense's ability to stop the option. The last time we saw a competent option attack against UT it was Texas A&M running for 244 yards against the Longhorns."
Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: OSU 35-24. "The Cowboys are eager to prove they are legitimate title contenders and the Longhorns look vulnerable."
Three things I'll be watching closely for Saturday afternoon:
*** No questions: Last year's Texas contest was the one game in which Mike Gundy questioned his team's effort. It also was the one game in which OSU's offense did not produce. The Cowboys must be ready from the moment they come through gates and the offense must continue its high-octane efficiency from the previous two games.
*** Walking wounded: OSU's open date last weekend was much needed for health reasons. Linebackers Patrick Lavine and Jeremy Nethon left the Kansas State with injuries. Lavine is expected to play, while Nethon is not. There is a chance another injured linebacker, Chris Collins, could return to action after missing the past month. The linebackers need to be active and productive to slow down Texas running back Jamaal Charles and disrupt the rhythm of quarterback Colt McCoy.
*** Keep them involved: The full effects of bowling in the west end zone at Boone Pickens Stadium will not be known until next season at the earliest. OSU players, though, sense the noise level being louder now because of the renovation project. Even though there will not be fans in the west end zone (although construction workers and their families were offered the chance to sit out there for this game), the 40,000-plus crowd can be that extra boost the Cowboys need to change the status quo against Texas.
--- Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
