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OSU Notebook

Mike Gundy
 
By MATT DOYLE World sports writer
Published: 10/8/2008  2:07 AM
Last Modified: 10/8/2008  3:26 AM

 Tortoise and hare: Entering Saturday night's showdown, both Oklahoma State and Missouri have high-octane offenses.

The Tigers and Cowboys rank second and third, respectively, in scoring offense and third and sixth, respectively, in total offense.

Mizzou has the nation's third-ranked passing offense, while OSU has the nation's second-best rushing attack.

The preferred preferences of the two offensive attacks underscores the noticeable difference in one particular offensive statistic.

OSU leads the Big 12 Conference in time of possession at 32 minutes, 47 minutes per game. Missouri ranks last in that category at 25:49.

But neither OSU coach Mike Gundy nor Missouri coach Gary Pinkel overly emphasize the stat.

"Time of possession used to be a big statistic years ago. It's not as much a factor any more with the way people play offensive football now," Gundy said. "Anytime you can hold the ball and score, that's good. Anytime you hold the ball and don't score, that's not good."

Pinkel said his team's fast-paced, up-tempo attacking offense is not concerned with time of possession.

"When you get the opportunity, you have to score," Pinkel said. "What they (Oklahoma State) like to do is control the clock, they're efficient and they score. It certainly puts a lot of pressure not only on our defense, but on your offense, that when you get the opportunity, you have to take advantage of it."

Quick strikes: Even with the league-leading ball control offense, OSU has demonstrated it can put together a quick scoring drive.

The Cowboys have 14 scoring drives that have consumed two minutes or less of game. Missouri has 19 scoring drives that were under two minutes.

Mirror image?: The variations of spread offensive attacks OSU and Missouri have enough differences that they cannot be called similar.

OSU defenders, though, state the work they got in preseason practice against their own offense can provide some benefits in preparation for the Tigers.

Practicing against quarterback Zac Robinson, receiver Dez Bryant and tight end Brandon Pettigrew was an early primer for Mizzou's standouts at those positions — Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman.

"We got a little taste of that in August. It's like we were preparing for this game," OSU safety/linebacker Andre Sexton said. "Hopefully that will help Saturday."

Fun at Faurot: Since 1978, OSU is 7-5 in games played at Missouri's Faurot Field. Saturday's game is Gundy's first at Mizzou as OSU head coach.

OSU's previous four head coaches — Jimmy Johnson, Pat Jones, Bob Simmons and Les Miles — all came away victorious on their first visit to Missouri.
By MATT DOYLE World sports writer

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Dave in Houston, (10/8/2008 8:31:21 AM)
"OSU leads the Big 12 Conference in time of possession at 32 minutes, 47 minutes per game. Missouri ranks last in that category at 25:49."

TOP is worthless stat nowadays. It's not how long you hold the ball but, what you do with it. After seeing Mizzou games, every single snap is a touchdown threat. I think this game simply comes down to defense. I give Mizzou a better chance at containing OSU than vice versa.
 

 
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