Tulsa World: OSU: 3 Storylines

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OSU: 3 Storylines

By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 10/25/2008 2:10 AM
Last Modified: 10/25/2008 3:11 AM

A look at three things to watch in today's Oklahoma State-Texas contest.

The ground game

This is the absolute key to everything for Oklahoma State. If the Cowboys can effectively rush the football (against a Texas defense that allows only 48.1 yards per game), they benefit in two ways. It would allow OSU to sustain possessions and keep Colt McCoy on the sideline. It could result in Texas committing a safety to run containment, and that could result in play-action pass opportunities and coverage mismatches for Dez Bryant and Brandon Pettigrew.

Affect McCoy

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy has been in a Heisman-caliber groove all season (81 percent completion rate, 19 TD passes against only three interceptions). Missouri's Chase Daniel was similarly hot before facing the Cowboys on Oct. 11. OSU bothered Daniel by putting more speed on the field (including backup linebacker Donald Booker at an end position). The Cowboys attacked with a variety of blitzes and coverages, and Daniel threw three second-half interceptions. Can OSU force McCoy into mistakes?

Wear blinders

The Cowboys should not allow themselves to be dazzled by the Texas spectacle. Bevo. The cannon. The massive video screen. The 98,000 fans packed into newly expanded Royal-Memorial Stadium. Two years ago, OSU didn't handle the environment well, never seemed comfortable and got smoked by 26 points. If Oklahoma State doesn't get rattled by the enormity of it all, then it becomes just a football game. A really important football game. By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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