Hoops: A Cure For The Bedlam Blues
By John Helsley
I was wrong. There, I said it.
Picked OSU to win. Put it in the paper. Said so on the airwaves.
Wrongo. Way wrongo, in fact.
And it started with Zac Robinson. If Robinson played, I thought, heck, we all thought, the Cowboys stood a strong chance of winning. I’d have even said they were the favorite to win, because the OSU defense was going to dominate OU’s maligned and makeshift offensive front (wrong again on that).
Turns out, Zac’s playing may have been a curse. I know Zac and Mike Gundy and everyone went along with the thought that the quarterback was healthy enough to play Saturday, but he didn’t look it. While he’s never going to be confused with John Elway, not one of Robinson’s passes was thrown with zip. They floated, with and against the wind.
Of course, Zac deserved to play, 100 percent or not. He’s as important as anyone in OSU’s rise in the Big 12. He belonged on the Bedlam stage, with a chance to lead this group of seniors past the Sooners for the first time.
Yet, that came with a cost. The game plan had to be simplified to account for Zac’s limitations. Not that all the offense’s struggles fall on the quarterback. The receivers allowed OU’s defensive backs to intimidate them with rough play. And they played soft because of it. And the running game struggled to get started, with the O-line losing the battle with Gerald McCoy and Co.
At less than 100 percent, Zac couldn’t be the game-changer the Cowboys needed. College football is a QB-dominated world. In the big games, QB’s must stand up and stand out.
Zac wasn’t able. Neither were the Cowboys.
Not the football Cowboys. But out in Las Vegas, the basketball Cowboys are offering an appealing transition.
Romping to the tournament title at the Las Vegas Invitational, OSU improved to 6-0. The trip to Sin City featured nice wins over Bradley and Utah.
It’s time to start considering the Cowboys for a spot in the Top 25. And it’s time to think of James Anderson as a factor in the Big 12 Player of the Year race.
Anderson’s been that good.
The Cowboys have been quite good, too, and yet, they haven’t begun to tap their upside.
Next up is a tough trip across the state to take on 5-1 Tulsa on Wednesday in the first true road game for the Cowboys.
Basketball crowds have been light in the early going. Understandable, considering the competition and the fact that football season still had much to offer.
With a break before the Cotton Bowl, it’s time to get on board for basketball.
Consider it a cure for the Bedlam Blues.
OU 27, OSU 0: Thoughts and Observations
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
–Clearly Oklahoma State is still building their program and they haven’t reached the level of OU or Texas. Until they beat those teams, it’s hard to say otherwise.
–I still think they are on the right track. They just need to continue to focus on recruiting the type of talent that develops into NFL-caliber football players. However, that is the hardest part of the journey towards the ultimate goal of competing for championships.
–It didn’t seem like OSU played with confidence. It didn’t seem like they expected to win today. It looks like they still have a mental hurdle to overcome against the elite teams.
–I went down on the field in pregame and spent a good 20 minutes just observing and I didn’t like what I saw. I would have liked to see the OSU players walking around with a little bit of swagger and I didn’t see any of that. They seemed to be going through the motions. To be fair, Baylor and Colorado were the only other games I spent some pregame time on the field so I can’t say what they’re like when they play well. But I just got a vibe in the pregame that things could turn out this way.
–He won’t get the credit, but Gerald McCoy dominated the game. He was a big reason the Cowboys made the play calls they made, the reason they struggled to have success running the ball.
–Jeremy Beal was almost as effective when the Pokes tried to run outside. The Sooners dominated the line of scrimmage, which surprised me. Especially after what happened in Lubbock.
–I know a lot of people are questioning the play calling but the reality is the players need to make plays. The coaches could have been more aggressive but what were they supposed to do? They were searching for someone to make a play throughout the game. They had no offensive rhythm, no confidence, no swagger… nothing. I don’t think play calling was a huge issue.
–It was clear Zac Robinson was hurting. Give him credit for being out there… And not making any excuses during postgame about the final outcome.
–0 of 14 on third downs??? That speaks volumes. And I’d say at least 8-10 of those were third-and-seven or more.
–I felt like the youth of OSU’s receivers showed in this game. Those guys definitely didn’t play with a swagger and they seemed to struggle to get open for Zac.
–The defense didn’t play poorly. They were just on the field for a long, long time in the second half. They didn’t get much help from the offense.
–Ryan Broyles was the difference. He consistantly made something out of nothing… And nobody from OSU matched him.
–OU clearly won the special teams battle thanks to Broyles and punter Tress Way. Way was superb.
–When Donald Booker went out of the game, it really, really hurt the Pokes. That is when OU began having more success running the ball.
–Bottom Line: Nobody played well and the coaches didn’t coach well. Both parties said as much after the game. I like the fact they made no excuses. Coaches said it was our fault, the players said it was our fault.
–The Pokes are disappointed at letting a BCS berth slip through their fingers, but OSU still had a solid season when you consider all the things they had to overcome. The Cowboys finished 9-3, No. 2 in the Big 12 south and likely are headed to the Cotton Bowl.
Volunteer work
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
Donald Booker’s love for the game of football is clear. The senior linebacker is Oklahoma State’s leading tackler with 80 tackles this season. He stepped into the lineup when Orie Lemon was lost to a torn ACL before the season began.
Yet, when OSU’s kickoff team was struggling, it was Booker who stepped in. The junior college transfer asked special teams coach Joe DeForest to be put on the kickoff coverage unit.
“I wanted to do whatever I can to help the team,” Booker said. “I knew last year I was real good at kickoff (coverage) I knew I could do it.”
Said senior Andre Sexton: “When our kickoff team kept getting gashed he goes up to coach and specifically asks to be put on that unit so he can stop them because it means that much to him.”
And he’s stepped in and made some plays. Booker was a special teams terror a year ago and he’s continued those playmaking ways since he returned to the kick coverage unit two weeks ago.
“I wish he would have (volunteered) nine weeks ago,” OSU coach Mike Gundy joked.
Chat with Brandon Chatmon at 11 a.m.
OSU 31, Colorado 28: Thoughts and observations
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
–I was very upfront about my belief that Zac Robinson shouldn’t play against Colorado. I felt OSU should be able to be Colorado with its running game and defense. Guess I was wrong…
–…or maybe I was right. If OSU had lost that game, it would have, again, been because they beat themselves. I didn’t envision five fumbles (three lost). I figured if OSU was going to turn it over it would be interceptions.
–What more can be said about Brandon Weeden. I wasn’t surprised by Weeden’s play. He just has that “it” factor much like Zac. Some people have it, some don’t it’s just that simple.
–The Cowboys need to do something about their kick coverage. A big part of the problem has been their battles with injuries. They had Donald Booker covering kicks last night, it just shows how depleted their depth really is. So I don’t know what really can be done at this point, unless they start pooch kicks.
–That Perrish Cox punt return was special. Excellent vision, excellent desire to make a big play.
–I wasn’t sure about the black uniforms at first but now I like them. That said, they are probably burning as I write this.
–OSU’s run defense was outstanding again. True enough CU only ran the ball 22 times but they averaged 0.6 yards per carry for 13 rushing yards.
–Once the coaches got the confidence in Weeden, he delivered. And his 16.8 per completion shows he is looking downfield and willing to take chances. Both good attributes.
–The last thing I expected was to see Keith Toston fumble AND Kendall Hunter fumble AND Perrish Cox to muff a punt.
–Give Colorado credit for capitalizing on OSU mistakes. They scored after Toston’s fumble, Cox’s muffed punt and the blocked FG. Then returned a kickoff for a touchdown. There’s their 28 points.
–This week I wrote about Patrick Lavine making big plays when the Cowboys need it… and who forced the fumble with CU driving late? Pat Lavine. He had eight tackles including two for loss and the forced fumble.
–Cornerback Andrew McGee played extremely well. But he’s been doing that all season, so it wasn’t a huge surprise.
–The Pokes were able to get a pass rush without having to blitz, which is a good sign for OSU heading into Bedlam.
–I wrote about Toston in my insider. If he’s not a all-big 12 running back, I’ll be shocked. He has earned it at this point, what more does he have to do?
–The biggest issue I saw with Alex Cate is that he didn’t play with confidence, almost like he didn’t EXPECT to play well. It’s hard to have success if you don’t envision success beforehand.
–When Weeden was asked if he was surprised how well he played, he said “Honestly, no.” His body language throughout the night showed he expected to have success when he was called upon. And he delivered.
–If you don’t think Quinn Sharp has a big effect on games, last night was a good example. He couldn’t kickoff the last few kicks and one was returned for a touchdown. And his punt average (34 yards) was not what the Cowboys have become accustomed to. They need him to be healthy for Bedlam.
–Weeden needs to be ready for Bedlam with Zac ailing. Even if Robinson starts, one hit on that shoulder and “hello Brandon”
–Bottom line: OSU will have to play A LOT better if they want to beat OU in Bedlam. It can be done however. Unless one team runs away with the turnover margin, OSU’s offensive line against OU’s defensive line will decide this game. And both units are among the Big 12′s best.
Cate To Start
By John Helsley, Staff Writer
jhelsley@opubco.com
STILLWATER – Alex Cate will start at quarterback for Oklahoma State tonight, replacing Zac Robinson, who was injured late in Saturday’s win over Texas Tech.
And that’s not all that’s new for this Thursday night ESPN showcase event – the Cowboys are in all black uniforms.
Cate, a junior and former touted recruit, will be making his first career start.
Robinson is in uniform, but has taken none of the pregame snaps and is not expected to play under any circumstances, according to sources close to the program. Robinson’s issue, stemming from a big hit from Tech’s Jamar Wall, is his throwing shoulder, not a head injury.
Check out the various angles on the hit and you can see where the shoulder takes the brunt of the blow.
The senior quarterback first injured the shoulder in last year’s Holiday Bowl game, playing much of the second half with a separated shoulder.
“My arm was done after that,” Robinson said during this preseason. “It just hurt every time. I had no arm strength, basically.
“I could throw it maybe 35 yards and there was pain and I didn’t have much zip on it.”
Robinson, according to sources, is expected to be ready for next week’s Bedlam game.
OSU hasn’t worn all-black uniforms since 1994, when Pat Jones was the coach. Jones’ Cowboys broke out black on occasion in the early ’90s.
The return to black uniforms – the Cowboys are wearing black pants and jerseys – with white numbers and names, trimmed in orange, with Cowboys in orange across the chest.
All-Black for OSU against Colorado
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
It looks like OSU will wear all-black uniforms tonight. Several Cowboys are warming up in black pants with white stripes and OSU logo on the hip. I haven’t seen the jerseys yet. I will post and tweet more as more Pokes come out to warm up.
Chat with Brandon Chatmon at 11 a.m.
Behind Enemy Lines: Colorado
In this week’s edition of Behind Enemy Lines, I did a question-and-answer session with Tom Kensler, the Colorado beat writer for the Denver Post.
Brandon Chatmon: It appears Hawkins in on the hot seat. How hot is it?
Tom Kensler: Scalding. At this point, the feeling is that Colorado could win big over Oklahoma State (unlikely) and Nebraska, and that still might not be enough to save Hawkins’ job. The momentum against him seems irreversible.
BC: In your opinion can CU afford to get rid of Hawkins AND pay someone else?
TK: Speaking in generalities, athletic director Mike Bohn said a few weeks ago that money would not stand in the way of his department making a coaching change if deemed necessary. I’ll take Bohn for his word. Like with Gary Barnett, the athletic department may have to borrow from the school because CU doesn’t seem to have a T. Boone Pickens ready to sign a check. That’s not ideal, but, as businessmen like to say, sometimes you have to spend money to make money.
BC: What has been the biggest contributor to Colorado’s poor season?
TK: It’s been a group effort, so to speak. The defense played poorly in upset losses to Colorado State and Toledo. Since then, the defense has vastly improved, but for the second consecutive year, Colorado has the worst offense in the Big 12 – by a relatively large margin.
BC: What has Hansen brought to the table that Cody Hawkins did not? Should he have been the starter to start the year?
TK: Hansen has wheels, a great feel for scrambling. Plus, he has a much stronger arm than Cody Hawkins. It’s easy to say now that Hansen should have been starting all along, but beat writers who attend practices agree that Cody was always more consistent during the week’s preparations. I can’t fault Dan Hawkins for playing the QB who was best in practice. Cody had some good moments, including engineering a second-half comeback victory over Oklahoma in 2007, but he seemed to have peaked, if not regressed. Hansen has promising upside.
BC: What is the most underrated part of the team?
TK: The pass defense stats aren’t particularly good, but CU’s secondary has some size and athleticism. New starters were inserted at safety during midseason, and that has solidified the unit.
BC: What is the Buffs biggest strength?
TK: There’s experience and savvy at linebacker, especially senior Marcus Burton and junior B.J. Beatty. They love to hit.
BC: Biggest weakness?
TK: Pass protection. Iowa State had only two sacks, but before that, Missouri and Texas A&M each dropped Hansen 10 times. It’s a wonder the sophomore can get out of bed on Sunday mornings.
BC: Freshman or sophomores you think will make a big impact on Thursday?
TK: Many of the best players are sophomores, including QB Tyler Hansen, TB Rodney “Speedy” Stewart and WR Markques Simas. The defensive line has several sophomores and freshmen, and they have been a pleasant surprise – even holding up pretty well against Texas.
BC: Will playing so many games on unusual days (Thurs,Fri,Sun) give CU an edge since they’re used to it in some ways?
TK: You might say that, but all three victories came on Saturdays.
BC: Name one player OSU fans should fear on Thursday.
TK: Burton. At 6-feet and 250 pounds, is built like a tank and is capable of punishing running backs. He has enough athleticism and drive to get a look from the NFL.
OSU scouting report: Colorado
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
In the Denver Post, Tom Kensler writes about Colorado safety Ray Polk, who’s father played cornerback for OSU in the early 80s.
On cubuffs.com, B.G. Brooks writes about CU receivers Marques Simas and Toney Clemons. Simas is emerging as the top receiver for the Buffaloes.
Highlights of Colorado’s win over Kansas:
And its loss to Missouri:
