Tulsa World: Ask the beat writer

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Ask the beat writer

By Staff Reports
Published: 10/1/2008 2:07 AM
Last Modified: 10/1/2008 2:51 AM

Through the four nonconference games, what is the status of the OSU defense?

Compared to other units in the Big 12, the Cowboy defense could best be defined as average. OSU is fifth in the conference in total defense, eighth against the run and fifth against the pass.

But if you compare the 2008 Cowboy defense to the 2007 Cowboy defense (one that ranked No. 101 nationally in total defense), you see signs of definite improvement.

Opponents have converted on only 14-of-55 third-down conversion attempts. At 25.5 percent, OSU ranked second in the Big 12. Last year, opponents had a 41 percent third-down success rate.

Last year, OSU gave up 443 yards per game. This season's average is 322.8.

OSU does rank dead-last in the conference in sacks, having recorded only two, but the sack may have become an overrated statistic. Unless a team has ends like those at Oklahoma and Texas, sacks are difficult to achieve. In spread offenses, quarterbacks don't survey the field. They release the football in an instant.

Got a question for OSU beat writer Bill Haisten? E-mail bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com or go to tulsaworld.com/sportsextra and click on OSU's Ask the Beat Writer. By Staff Reports

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