OSU offense: It just doesn't look the same
Published: 9/13/2009 4:08 PM
Last Modified: 9/13/2009 4:08 PM
On Sunday, having had a few hours to reflect on Oklahoma State's home loss to Houston, one media member offered a concise opinion of the Cowboy offense:
"It just doesn't look the same."
It was a simple but perfect statement on the state of an OSU offense that functioned so well last season, but has established nothing in the way of a positive rhythm this season.
Against a Houston defense with such an inexperienced front seven, the Cowboys were expected to rush for something in the range of 250-300 yards. And in the process, OSU could have forged a substantial time-of-possession advantage. That would have been critical because Houston's Case Keenum, a brilliant college quarterback, would have been stuck on the sideline.
But instead, the Oklahoma State offense had, by its standards, ordinary statistics – 434 total yards, 194 rushing yards. The Cowboys committed three turnovers, sputtered during much of the first half and failed on their final do-or-die possession of the game.
Of course, the OSU defense had a dismal Saturday, but the Cowboys hadn't climbed to No. 5 nationally because of the potential of its defense. National expectations were high because of a three-year run of excellent offense.
Against Houston last year, on the same Boone Pickens Stadium turf, the Cowboys totaled 699 yards, 56 points – and a victory. And that's the difference between now and then.
It's just not the same.
Not yet, anyway.
-- Bill Haisten
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
