Knowing the Opponent: Oklahoma State

http://3rdand57.com/msu-knowing-the-opponent-osu/

A couple quick notes:
-Last year they averaged 45.7 ppg
-they have 10 returning WR with a TD reception
-WR Josh Stewart is electric (I have some highlights of him embedded)
-on defense they have 15 Sr/Jr's in the 2-deep, experienced group
-the DT Calvin Barnett is pretty dang good
-their D is led by 2 Sr Safeties who led them in tackles and INTs

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Originally Posted by BeastMan

WR Josh Stewart is electric (I have some highlights of him embedded)

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We need Cox on him.

Quote:

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their D is led by 2 Sr Safeties who led them in tackles and INTs

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Niiiiiiice.

If their safeties lead them in tackles this game, that will be a very good sign for us. It means we will have established the run and effectively neutralized their front seven.

Thought last year's results might fit in here...

2012 Oklahoma State Cowboys Football Schedule
Final Record: 8-5, 5-4 (Big 12)
Date Opponent Time/TV Tickets
Saturday
Sept. 1 Savannah State Tigers
Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK Won 84-0 ---
Saturday
Sept. 8 at Arizona Wildcats
Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ Lost 59-38 ---
Saturday
Sept. 15 Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns
Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK Won 65-24 ---
Saturday
Sept. 22 --- Open Date --- ---
Saturday
Sept. 29 Texas Longhorns
Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK Lost 41-36 ---
Saturday
Oct. 6 --- Open Date --- ---
Saturday
Oct. 13 at Kansas Jayhawks
Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS Won 20-14 ---
Saturday
Oct. 20 Iowa State Cyclones (HC)
Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK Won 31-10 ---
Saturday
Oct. 27 TCU Horned Frogs
Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK Won 36-14 ---
Saturday
Nov. 3 at Kansas State Wildcats
Bill Snyder Family FB Stadium, Manhattan, KS Lost 44-30 ---
Saturday
Nov. 10 West Virginia Mountaineers
Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK Won 55-34 ---
Saturday
Nov. 17 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK Won 59-21 ---
Saturday
Nov. 24 at Oklahoma Sooners
Gaylord Family OK Mem. Stadium, Norman, OK Lost 51-48
(OT) ---
Saturday
Dec. 1 at Baylor Bears
Floyd Casey Stadium, Waco, TX Lost 41-34 ---
2013 Heart of Dallas Bowl
Tuesday
Jan. 1 Purdue Boilermakers
Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX Won 58-14 ---

I still do not understand why a team that was 8-5 (5-4) last year is suddenly rated so highly.

nice breakdown beast. the only thing I would add, and it may or may not be a factor, is that they have a new OC. The rhythm may not be what it was last year and it'll be the new OC's first time in that spot. I know the OC called the plays last year, but I'm not sure how they'll handle that this year. Early defensive success could be huge to keep them off balance and to not let them find their rhythm.

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Originally Posted by SignalToNoise

I still do not understand why a team that was 8-5 (5-4) last year is suddenly rated so highly.

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Agreed. So we went 8-4 in the SEC, they went 7-5 in the Big 12. But we lost our bowl game, and they killed Purdue. So, naturally, they will stomp us.

No, we didn't beat any good teams last year. So Oklahoma State beat TCU, Iowa St., and Texas Tech...and that's impressive?

Count me in the group that thinks we will surprise a lot of people in a very good way.

They have a new DC too. I left out possible new scheme changes intentionally. Wanted to focus on the players. The weeks 1-3 previews are the worst b/c there based, at least partially, by last year. After 4 games, you get a really good feel for current personnel and schemes etc...


But having a new OC and DC is def worth noting

getting a new DC may be good for them. I know it's going to be good for us.