Sizing Up Oklahoma State (2007)
5 comments so far
October 10, 2007 by
The Cowboys have a good offense and yet not a single starter on the offensive line tops 300 lbs. Instead, they are all 290’s and long (6’5”+). They’ve got a big wide receiver in Adarius Bowman and a pair of small running backs in Dantrell Savage and Kendall Hunter.
The defensive ends for OSU are smallish and the linebackers aren’t especially big either. So once again, a Husker offense seeking to run the football would seem to have a chance (even though the Cowboys run defense has been fairly good). The defensive backs are decent sized as well, yet OSU is at the bottom of the conference in pass defense.
The Cowboys have been good on punt returns but don’t punt as well nor return kicks as well as the Huskers. The more telling numbers are that the Cowboys are next to last in the Big 12 in turnover margin and they have yet to win a game on the road in three tries.
In many ways, OSU is a reflection of Nebraska. Their offense is better than their defense (even if neither is spectacular) and their coaches have come under scrutiny based on recent meltdowns (NU’s on the field and OSU’s off the field). The Huskers are a slight favorite but that’s likely because the game is in Lincoln. For those looking to see dominance, this is not your game, but for those who want to see competitive football, it might be a good one.
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ze Oct 10 07
We better score a bunch o' points in this one, and thats' all I'm 'ze-in'....
Andrew Oct 10 07
Here is what scouts, College football news thinks about the OSU-NE game. I can't believe that we are not favored at home against OSU. My how times have changed.
Oklahoma State (3-3) at Nebraska (4-2) 12:30 PM
Why to Watch: There are coaches on the hot seat, coaches in lame duck status, and there's Nebraska's head man Bill Callahan, who just needs a big win really, really bad. It's one thing to get blown out at home by USC (really, it's O.K.), it's another to need a missed last second field goal to get by Ball State, and it's a whole other issue to get destroyed 41-6 by Missouri in what was likely the key game of the Huskers' Big 12 season. Last year, Nebraska was on its way to a good season, starting off 5-1 before losing a tight battle against Texas, and then came the trip to Stillwater. The Cowboys won 41-29, and while it didn't keep Nebraska from winning the North, this year, a win would likely do that, and get the grumbling Big Red faithful into a lather. OSU has had an uneven season so far, and is still trying to figure out who and what it is. With three home games ahead, a win in Lincoln could kick off a nice run, just when Mike Gundy's team desperately needs it most.
Why Oklahoma State Might Win: So far, the Husker defense has been consistently awful against anyone who can run, and last week got its doors blown off by a Missouri team that might provide a glimpse of what's to come. OSU doesn't throw the ball like the Tigers, but it likes to use its quarterback a little bit like MU uses Chase Daniel, and the running backs are far superior. The Husker defensive line has been shoved out of the way far too easily against the better teams, and this week, the Cowboys should be able to run at will. Expect 250 yards on the ground.
Why Nebraska Might Win: If ever the Husker passing game was going to step back and let it rip, it would be this week. Forgetting the 646 yards allowed to the Texas Tech passing game to skew the stats, the 116th ranked pass defense has had major problems against everyone. When Texas A&M throws for 218 yards, there are problems. With nothing from the running game since ripping up Nevada for 413 yards and six touchdowns, the offense needs to start flowing through Sam Keller and the passing game. If the Huskers decide to start bombing away, OSU might not be able to stop it.
Who to Watch: And the Oklahoma State quarterback this week will be ... ? Zac Robinson suffered a concussion in last week's loss to A&M, and while he's expected to play this week, Bobby Reid will have to be at the ready, and it might open up a big can of worms once again. Reid completed six of nine passes for 72 yards in relief, and while the job is still Robinson's, Reid might be an interesting choice considering he threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 61 yards, in last year's win over the Huskers.
What Will Happen: Which Oklahoma State will show up? Will it be the one that ran wild on Texas Tech, or will it be the one that couldn't get any offense going against Troy and collapsed against Texas A&M? Which Nebraska will show up? The Huskers haven't been sharp over the past several weeks, and it's about to get pounded on by the Cowboy ground game in another rough loss.
CFN Prediction: Oklahoma State 31 ... Nebraska 28 ... Line: Nebraska -4
Must See Rating: (5 Hideki Matsui's "collection" - 1 The Heartbreak Kid) ... 3
ze Oct 11 07
That's an accurate assessment of the situation--which Okie ST or NE will show up? Both defenses are bad, but I think NE's is 'badder'.
I'm going with how I felt after the Mizzou game:
Okie 42
NE 31
Hope I'm wrong.....
Scott Oct 11 07
Let's just hope that we don't give another quarterback, receiver, or running back a "career day" like we seem to be doing a lot of lately.
I only feel half-way good about this game because we're at home but I would not be surprised to see OSU come in and steal a win based on what I've seen from the Huskers this year.
doombob Oct 12 07
NE 35 OSU 24
Never give up! Never surrender!