Inside the huddle
Published: 11/6/2008 7:09 PM
Last Modified: 11/6/2008 7:09 PM
Quick-hitting thoughts and insights into Oklahoma State football:
***While Kendall Hunter has developed into the man at running back, do not discount the impact Keith Toston could have in the game Saturday night. If the Cowboys can successfully run the ball against the Red Raiders, it will not be a solo performance.
Toston has played well in his relief role at running back getting about eight carries a game. But I think Toston needs about 10-12 carries to offset just a little of Spud's workload and give Tech's defense another runner to contend with. Remember in last year's game that Hunter, Zac Robinson and Dantrell Savage all rushed for at least 100 yards.
***Jacob Lacey received the ultimate college football baptism by fire as a true freshman three years ago. Lacey made his first career start against Texas Tech in 2005 and had his best performance that year with four tackles and a pass breakup.
"That was kind of nerve-wracking," Lacey said. "But after that performance, I had a lot of confidence that I could play at this level."
Last season, Lacey had 12 tackles (11 solo stops) and three pass breakups trying to cover Tech's standout Michael Crabtree most of the afternoon. Lacey will get another shot at Crabtree this Saturday night.
The OSU senior cornerback understands it's next to impossible to shutdown Crabtree. But he wants to win enough of the little battles with a few pass breakups and tackles immediately after the catch to slow down and contain the Tech star. Keep an eye on how this matchup between the Big 12's best cover man and one of the Big 12's (and nation's) best receivers turns out.
***A lot of the national college football experts have caught on to the OSU story and given out a few accolades to the Cowboys. Chip Brown has thought highly of the OSU program for the past two years. When he was covering Texas and the Big 12 for the Dallas Morning News last year, Brown predicted in the preseason the Cowboys would win a share of the Big 12 South Division title.
OK, so Brown was off a bit. Now as a writer for Orangebloods.com, Texas' site on Rivals.com, Brown still remains high on OSU. High enough to think OSU will leave Lubbock with a victory Saturday night.
"Oklahoma State may be playing the best of any team in the league right now, and the Cowboys will beat Texas Tech in Lubbock next week because the teams that give Tech fits can run the ball and eat clock," Brown wrote earlier this week.
Brown picks a 42-37 win for OSU over Tech. He ranks the Cowboys as the best team in the Big 12 and third nationally. Here's the kicker from Brown: "I think the Cowboys would beat Penn State on a neutral field."
Right now, OSU simply would take his predicted W at Jones AT&T Stadium.
***From the shameless self-promotion department: Yours truly will be a guest via the telephone on ESPN News around 12:45-12:50 p.m. Saturday to discuss that night's big game in Lubbock.
---Matt Doyle
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
