OSU football notebook: Back to Norman
BY KELLY HINES World Sports Writer
Friday, November 23, 2012
11/23/12 at 3:12 AM
To adjust to a new Big 12 scheduling format, Oklahoma played at Oklahoma State the past two years, so the Cowboys are heading to Norman for the first time since 2009. Many of OSU's players haven't experienced a game at Owen Field.
"We hope the experience they have gained playing on the road over the last few years will help them play Saturday," Gundy said. "There is not really anything we can do to get them prepared. They have to remember that once we get there and cross the white lines, it's 11-on-11.
"We work on offense with sound and loud noise, so I feel like they will play fine. I don't think it will be something that will affect them moreso than what homefield advantage would be for any team."
Veteran receiver Isaiah Anderson played at OU as a sophomore.
"OU's stadium is one of the loudest I've played in since the time I've been here," he said. "So we just have to keep our composure and play the best we can. It's not really just another game for us. That's our rival and if we win we get the bragging rights for the rest of the year, like we did last year. Hopefully we'll come out on top."
Quote of the week: "The bottom line is we live in the Sooner State, so that alone (ticks) you off quite a bit," offensive coordinator Todd Monken told media Monday. "They don't want to hear about Oklahoma State, and I sure as hell don't want to hear about them."
BCS chances: At No. 21 in the BCS standings, Oklahoma State is the lowest-ranked team that could qualify for a BCS bowl without an automatic bid, according to a release from the BCS.
The Cowboys would have to win out and climb above No. 14 to stay under consideration for an at-large bid.
"There is just not really anything that you can do other than worry about the next practice because as soon as you start worrying about the next one, then you're not playing very good and you get mad," coach Mike Gundy said.
Last year, OSU was No. 2 in the BCS standings and needed two victories to ensure a spot in the national-championship game.
Instead, an upset by Iowa State taught a painful lesson about not getting caught up in the situation.
"As a player I have been there and I learned last year as a coach," Gundy said. "The lesson we learned last year at Iowa State is the hardest lesson that anybody in my opinion at my level could learn.
"You are sitting right there with a chance to play in the national-championship game and you lose to a team that, on a neutral field, you probably win by four touchdowns."
