Top 10 pressure, consequences are different for OSU
Published: 9/6/2011 1:12 PM
Last Modified: 9/13/2011 4:26 PM
Joseph Randle and OSU moved up to No. 8 in the AP poll after defeating Arizona. STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
In 2009, Oklahoma State was No. 9 when it opened with a 24-10 conquest of Georgia. As a result, Dez Bryant was pictured on the cover of Sports Illustrated and OSU ascended to a No. 5 ranking – its highest ranking since 1985.
In part because of pressure and in part because of various circumstances, the 2009 Cowboys wilted in Week 2 – losing to Houston 45-35 at Boone Pickens Stadium. If there were a device that could measure disappointment, the reading in Stillwater that day would have been at the maximum level. The needle would have been buried.
Essentially, the 2011 Cowboys are in the same Week 2 position. OSU is 1-0 and ranked No. 9 nationally, preparing for Thursday’s ESPN collision with Arizona at Boone Pickens Stadium.
Against the Mike Stoops-coached Wildcats, in a rematch of OSU’s 2010 Alamo Bowl victory, the Cowboys are favored by 15 points. That line seems awfully heavy. The truth is, Arizona is no less a dangerous opponent than Houston was in 2009.
That Houston team had one great player (QB Case Keenum) and a lot of average guys who executed well that day. OSU committed nine penalties and gave up 512 yards. On the whole, with its big, fast Pac-12 athletes, the Arizona roster is much more impressive than Houston’s.
When ranked between No. 11 and No. 25 in the AP poll, Mike Gundy-coached Cowboy teams have played 24 games. Their record is 18-6. When ranked in the top 10, Gundy’s teams are 4-4.
Top 10 pressure is different. Consequences are different. It’s difficult to arrive in the top 10, and it’s just as difficult to stay there. Arizona has every intention of kicking OSU back to the 11-25 region of the poll.
-- Bill Haisten
Written by
Bill Haisten
Sports Writer
