The Football Brainiacs

Image via USA Today

* OU o-line: I appreciate this is somewhat stating the obvious, but for me this game will be won or lost along OU’s offensive line. If the Sooners can keep that Ok State pass rush at least somewhat at bay AND open up running lanes for Samaje Perine & Joe Mixon, then it’s hard for me to envision a scenario in which OU doesn’t win this game.

If one and/or both of those aspects of this game do not work in OU’s favor, then it’s actually quite easy for me to see how the Sooners would lose.

Coming into this game, Oklahoma State is No. 71 nationally in rush defense and perhaps even more to the point, they’re coming off a game that saw Baylor rush the ball 73 (!!!) times. So an already suspect Ok State rush defense is going to be coming into this Bedlam game beat to hell.

This should be a considerable advantage in OU’s favor, and one it’s critical they take advantage of Saturday night.

* Mason Rudolph: As I suspect you’re aware, Rudolph has been dealing with a foot/ankle issue throughout the week and although expected to be somewhat limited, it is believed he will still get the start.

Honestly, the fact that he may be hampered by that injury really isn’t that big of a factor to me. Mobility really isn’t the primary strength of his game, so a lack there of Saturday probably won’t be that much of a factor. If he were going to miss the game then, sure, it’s clearly a major storyline. That doesn’t appear to be the case, however, so in my mind it’s more a case of ‘nothing to see here.’

* Chuck & Duck: The last thing I’ll ever be is an expert in Oklahoma State football, but from what I have seen of them this season their offense consists primarily of heaving the ball downfield and hoping for a long completion or a pass interference penalty.

If you’ve spent any time reading/listening to people talk about the Cowboys in 2015, you’ve no doubt heard those people lament just how awful the run game has been. And for good reason considering Ok State is currently ranked No. 111 nationally in rush offense.

So on paper one would have to believe this is an offense tailor made for a Mike Stoops defense, who typically excel against one-dimensional offenses (though I suspect you could probably make the same case for almost any defense in similar circumstances).

But then again, wouldn’t it be just like a Bedlam game for Ok State to have their best rushing performance of the season?

* Find The Football: To that previous point, while this is an OU secondary that has made considerable strides in 2015 it’s also still one we’ve seen, at times, struggle to find the ball once it’s in the air.

And if there is a WR unit in the country more apt to take advantage of that it’s this Oklahoma State group. Between James Washington, Marcell Ateman, or Jhajuan Seales, all three excel at going up and high-pointing the ball.

Barring some type of fluky performance on the ground, if Ok State figures to move the ball with success it will almost have to be through the air and likely via some combination of those three guys above.

* Trick Plays: …

If the Ok State offense is having trouble moving the ball early, or possibly even if that’s not the case, one would have to think, with the incentive of ruining OU’s season, the coaches won’t be “holding anything back now.”

* Cliches: Who takes care of the football? What ‘lesser known’ player steps up to make a name for themselves in a rivalry game? Will special teams be a factor?

What other ones did I miss?

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What will you be watching for Saturday night?