Tulsa World: New OSU defense to show whether it's also improved

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New OSU defense to show whether it's also improved

OSU's Bill Young works his players during practice. STEPHEN HOLMAN/Tulsa World

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 9/5/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 9/5/2009 7:38 AM

In eight months since he accepted the assignment of changing Oklahoma State's defensive culture, Bill Young has been perhaps the most talked-about new coordinator in college football.

"Talked about way too much," the 63-year-old Young said with a laugh. "A whole lot more than I ever should have been mentioned."

If Young's defense is a positive factor in an OSU victory over 13th-ranked Georgia on Saturday, he would be the subject of a lot more talk.

As Saturday's meeting of the Bulldogs and ninth-ranked Cowboys finally has arrived, the most prominent question is this: Young worked wonders with the Kansas defense in 2002-07, but has he had enough teaching time to squeeze high-level performances from an OSU team that last season ranked 93rd nationally in total defense?

"It's understandable for the fans to expect coach Young to come in and make a big difference," Cowboy defensive tackle Nigel Nicholas said. "We're going to see."

Georgia-OSU, set for 2:30 p.m. on ABC television (KTUL, channel 8), qualifies as more than just a football game. It is an event — the first contest played within the completely renovated Boone Pickens Stadium. Never before has Oklahoma State entered a season with a Top 10 national ranking. OSU's previous highest preseason ranking was No. 16 in 1985.

"It's going to be a great game and a very physical game," Cowboy defensive end Jermiah Price said. "Those (Georgia) boys will come in here ready to play, believe me. It will be a very emotional, hard-hitting game. Very intense."

The Georgia game is a rematch of the 2007 opener in Athens, where the Bulldogs pounded OSU 35-14.

"We've played some pretty good football teams since then," OSU fifth-year coach Mike Gundy said. "We either beat them or stood toe-to-toe with them right until the end. Standing toe-to-toe right until the end is not what we're looking for. Our football team and our program are in a different light than it was two years ago."

Because of the Cowboy ranking and the heat generated by Sports Illustrated's prediction that OSU could be a Bowl Championship Series "party crasher," the Georgia game is the most significant nonconference home date in Oklahoma State football history.

"It's as big as it gets," Gundy said.

Two years ago, several key Cowboys were pups. Linebackers Andre Sexton and Patrick Lavine were sophomores. Cornerback Perrish Cox was a sophomore. Now, as many as nine seniors are involved in OSU's various defensive position rotations.

"Everything we've done since playing at Georgia has helped us prepare for this game," Sexton said. "We know what to expect from a big national contender like Georgia."

Comparing the 2007 Cowboy team to the 2009 model, Georgia coach Mark Richt said, "Oklahoma State is a much more mature team now. I think they understand very well what it takes to play the best teams in the country. They were in that maturation process a couple of years ago, and now they know."

OSU is No. 9 not because of the potential of its defense, but because of quarterback Zac Robinson, wide receiver Dez Bryant, running back Kendall Hunter and left offensive tackle Russell Okung. Last season, the Cowboys were among national leaders in scoring, total offense and rushing.

OSU's defense couldn't perform at the same level. In losses to Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oregon, the Cowboys gave up an average of 53 points and 581 yards.

"People see all the points being scored in the Big 12 and assume that the defenses aren't as good, but I don't think that's the case," Georgia quarterback Joe Cox said. "(Oklahoma State) is a great all-around team with a very respectable defense."

Cox is generous with compliments, but Gundy and Young know that OSU can't reach an acceptable defensive level unless it becomes more physical and generates more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Instilling toughness was the top priority during spring practice and again during preseason camp.

In 13 games last season, the Cowboys managed only 15 sacks — the Big 12's lowest total. This year's goal, Price said, is an extremely ambitious total of 40. In 2008, Texas and Oklahoma were the only conference teams to reach the 40 mark in sacks.

"Getting 15 last year didn't reflect the talent that we have on this defensive line," Price said. "It will be hard to reach 40, but we're capable of doing it. Personally, I want to hit a double-digit number. At least 10."

No Cowboy has totaled as many as 10 sacks since 2003, when Greg Richmond had 12.5.

"As a D-line, we should be much better," Young said. "We're a year older, a year smarter, bigger, stronger, faster. Everything you can measure, we're better at."

"There are so many questions when you come into a first game," Young added. "There will be some anxiety there."

No. 13 Georgia at No. 9 Oklahoma State

2:30 p.m. Saturday

Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater

TV: KTUL-8

Radio: KFAQ am1170, KRVT am1270

Weather: Mostly cloudy with temperature in mid-80s at kickoff. Slight chance of thunderstorms.

Records: OSU 0-0; Georgia 0-0 Last meeting: 2007, Georgia, 35-14

Series: Georgia leads 3-0

Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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TK1, (9/5/2009 11:35:12 PM)

Question answered in a very big and affirmative way. Great job Pokes!

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