Pokes Preview: Kansas State
No. 14 Kansas State (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) at No. 3 Oklahoma State (8-0, 5-0 Big 12)
7 p.m. at Boone Pickens Stadium
The skinny on Kansas State
The surprise team of the Big 12 so far this season suffered its first loss last week when the Wildcats were throttled by No. 6 Oklahoma 58-17. K-State is in the middle of the stretch that should define its season—after visiting Stillwater, the Wildcats face Texas A&M and Texas in back-to-back weeks.
Numbers to know
29: The number of turnovers OSU has forced this season, the most in the nation
8: The number of times K-State has turned the ball over this season, the fifth-fewest in the nation
OSU players to watch: Jeremy Smith and Josh Cooper
Cooper left the Baylor game early in the first quarter with a pulled hamstring, while Smith left in the third quarter with a hand injury. Mike Gundy said earlier this week that he did not believe either injury was serious, but if one/both players are limited or unavailable, it will be a slight blow to an offense already without Hubert Anyiam and Jonathan Rush for the season.
K-State player to watch: Collin Klein
The Wildcat quarterback is more dangerous as a runner than a thrower, giving the OSU defense a different type of challenge.
Matchups to watch
OSU offense vs. K-State offense
Talk about a clash of styles and pace. If Kansas State can shorten the game and churn the clock with it’s slow, rushing offense, it could hang in this game. But if the OSU defense can force turnovers at the same rate it has been all season and OSU gets in its up-tempo rhythm, things will get ugly for the Wildcats.
K-State defense vs. OSU passing game
The Wildcats gave up 520 passing yards against OU last week. Bill Snyder attributed that to poor coverage against the Sooners. Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon will make you pay for that.
Don’t be surprised if…K-State dominates the time of possession
The Wildcats huddle—a rarity in Big 12 football these days—and will run every second off the clock it can. And the OSU defense will give up yards, meaning K-State could put together some drives that eat up time. The Cowboys, conversely, rank last in the Big 12 in time of possession. But that quick-strike offense still leads the nation in scoring (49.9 points per game).
Uniform prediction: Orange jersey, white pants, white helmet
I don’t even know why I try to predict anymore, because I’m terrible at it. We have yet to see the traditional home look, and I doubt we’ll see that for Bedlam (I’m thinking all black?). So, yeah, we’ll go with that. Which means I’ll be wrong.
Final score prediction
OSU 38, K-State 20
Under Pressure? Pokes Not Showing It
Joseph Randle and the Cowboys are taking any perceived pressure head on.
By John Helsley
follow on twitter @jjhelsley
As the weeks pass by and the victories mount and the unbeatens shrink and the BCS Standings spotlight increases focus, there’s a perception of growing pressure on the top teams.
This year, that includes Oklahoma State.
At 8-0 for the first time in seven decades, there’s a natural rush to wonder how the Cowboys are coping in unchartered territoroy. They’ve already been placed on upset alert and it’s bound to happen again, possibly as soon as Saturday against Kansas State. They’re now being picked at more for their flaw — a defense that surrenders yards, but not necessarily points — than they’re being celebrated for an all-but-unstoppable offense.
Under Pressure?
If they are, the Pokes sure aren’t showing it.
It was just last week, before OSU routed Baylor and ruined Robert Griffin III’s Heisman hopes, that Cowboys coach Mike Gundy proclaimed: “We’re not going to play under pressure. We’re not going to coach under pressure.”
I know it’s cliche, but the Cowboys are taking things one day at a time, and enjoying every step of the process. And hey, aren’t cliches born out of repeated truth?
A reflection of their too-cool coach and their, ahem, mature quarterback, these Cowboys aren’t intimidated by the new neighborhood, they are taking in the scenery as if they belong and are not just stopping by.
And so they go, day to day, doing what’s necessary to get to the next game day, never beyond. That will come in handy if the Cowboys win again against the Wildcats and climb to the No. 2 spot in the BCS, with Nos. 1 and 2, LSU and Alabama, squaring off Saturday night.
Check out this story at athlonsports.com, which picks up on OSU’s pressure play. The story notes how previous first-timers to the BCS pressure-cooker have folded under the spotlight.
Are the Cowboys different?
So far, yes.
Tailgate Blog: Sweet ride
This was once an ambulance.
Now it’s quite possibly the coolest tailgate-mobile I’ve ever seen.
Terry Stewart, who owns the vehicle, admits his idea wasn’t totally original. He saw another OSU tailgating group using an ambulance to store all its tailgating needs and decided he’d like to try the same thing. He found one on Ebay in New York for about $20,000 and little-by-little turned it into the perfect ride for a Cowboy fanatic and debuted it for the last two home games of last season. They hope to take it on the road soon, where I’m sure they’d get plenty of interesting looks!
Tim Jessell, who did the artwork inside Gallagher-Iba Arena and Boone Pickens Stadium when the facilities were renovated, was hired to paint the vehicle. Check out the details on the inside and outside.
Yes, that’s a keg connected to the vehicle.
Stewart said he expects between 30 and 40 people to show up to his tailgate at some point, which started at 9:15 and will go until 7 or 8 p.m. after the game. They will be doing a shrimp boil tonight. They’re in the BPS parking lot on the east side of the stadium if you want to swing by.
Here are some other photos that I snapped during my walk to the stadium.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to take in the Friday night festivities of Homecoming due to a prior commitment (girl’s got to have a life outside of work every once in a while, right?). I’m already looking forward to that next year.
Jamie Blatnick: Best defensive end during Mike Gundy era?
My piece in Friday’s paper is about the connection between Jamie Blatnick and Caleb Lavey, who both come from the tiny town of Celina, Texas that is home to one of the state’s biggest football powerhouses.
I enjoyed hearing stories about Blatnick’s and Lavey’s childhoods from both players and their high school coach, Butch Ford. And you could hear in Ford’s voice just how excited the folks of Celina are about two of their favorite sons starting for the No. 3 college football team in the nation and contributing at a high level.
What that story did not allow me to do, however, was really zero in on the season Blatnick is having.
Blatnick is tied for third in the Big 12 with six sacks and ranks fourth in the conference with 8.5 tackles for loss. He also has an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three pass break-ups—and all of those have come over the Cowboys’ last three games.
Mike Gundy said Monday that Blatnick is “very worthy of strong consideration” for the All-Big 12 team and called him the most consistent defensive end at OSU since Antonio Smith.
During Smith’s senior season in 2003, he had 29 tackles and five sacks. Blatnick has already passed Smith in both of those categories with five games to play.
And since Smith played under Les Miles, that means Gundy indirectly called Blatnick the best defensive end he’s ever had as a head coach.
Blatnick has obviously had his ups and downs on and off the field at OSU, but he is playing the best football of his career right now.
Pokes Preview: Missouri
No. 4 OSU (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) vs. Missouri (3-3, 1-2 Big 12)
11 a.m. at Faurot Field
The skinny on Missouri
The Tigers’ 3-3 record is misleading, as all three of Mizzou’s losses have come on the road by 10 points or less to ranked teams that are a combined 17-2. MU features the best rushing attack in the Big 12, averaging 236.5 yards per game. Sophomore James Franklin is a dual-threat quarterback, accounting for 1,488 passing yards and 10 touchdowns to go along with 390 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
Figures to know
10: The number of games in a row Mizzou has won at home
8: The number of games in a row OSU has won on the road
OSU player to watch: Jamie Blatnick
The senior defensive end has been a monster over the Cowboys’ last two games, tallying 13 tackles (five for loss), three sacks, two quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, one interception and one pass break-up. Defensive line play will be huge again today with MU’s running game and Franklin’s mobility.
MU player to watch: Michael Egnew
Fanklin discovered the tight end against Iowa State, as he recorded six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. He’ll line up in the slot and is a tall target for Franklin.
Matchups to watch
OSU front seven vs. MU running game
This has been a very consistent “matchup to watch” all season, but it really will be important today given MU’s productive running game. The Cowboys gave up 231 rushing yards against Texas, including 135 to Malcolm Brown, and Henry Josey is the Big 12’s leading rusher (119.5 yards per game).
OSU passing attack vs. MU secondary
Todd Monken and Brandon Weeden both mentioned this week that MU likes to mix up coverages on defense to try to disrupt the quarterback’s rhythm. Will the Tigers routinely triple-cover Justin Blackmon like Texas did last week?
Uniform prediction: All white
OK, I’ve cheated. I’m sitting in the press box and the team is already out on the field warming up. And the storm trooper uniforms look solid. I’d give them an A.
Final score prediction: OSU 35, MU 24
Catching Up, Sort Of, With Kendall Hunter
By John Helsley
follow on twitter @jjhelsley
The revelation that Cowgirls point guard Tiffany Bias and former Cowboys running back Kendall Hunter are an item is nothing short of fascinating.
Not that they don’t make a fine pair; wouldn’t begin to know.
It’s just that they’re so, well, different.
Bias is outgoing and inviting of conversation, while Hunter is as quiet and humble as they come, to the point he avoids interaction as well as he avoids contact in the open field.
So I asked Bias, did you have to approach him?
“A little bit,” she said. “I’m mean, I’m loud and I’ll go talk to anyone. We’re kind of totally opposite, he’s quiet and I’m loud. But once he opens up, he’s actually loud. He will laugh loud and tell jokes. He’s really great.”
The two met at a frozen yogurt shack last fall in Stillwater when Bias, then a freshman, had only been on campus a few months.
“We exchanged numbers and after that we talked,” Bias said. “I was taken right off the market after that.”
Even though Hunter is in San Francisco and Bias is in Stillwater, the romance continues.
“It’s really difficult,” Bias said. “He’s my best friend and now he’s 15,000 miles away.”
She’s been out there and he’s coming home this week, with the 49ers on their bye week in the NFL.
So they manage.
“It’s hard, but at the same time, it’s time management,” Bias said. “I’m really busy. He’s really busy with football. So it kind of works out. We have to keep our main focuses, which is sports right now. It’s good that he understands my time and I understand his.”
Bias reports that Hunter hasn’t gotten the big head with his big job and big paycheck. No trip to the Mercedes lot.
“No, he’s actually really good with his money,” she said. “He hasn’t done anything over the top, gone and bought a huge car or anything like that. He’s very conservative with money. He’s very humble about everything.”
Same old Kendall, although he did allow himself one purchase.
“Well, he loves electronics,” she said. “That big flat screen TV, he went and got something like that. It’s a man thing.”
Something for her, perhaps?
“He always gets me little gifts here and there,” Bias said. “That’s just who he is, he’s always done stuff like that.”
More on Todd Monken’s profanity during “Depth Chart”
Monday was the first time Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Todd Monken was made available to respond to the high amount of profanity that came out of his mouth during ESPN’s “Depth Chart” special about Oklahoma State football that premiered last week. Actually, he was available after the game Saturday, but that obviously was not an appropriate time to bring that subject up.
Monken welcomed the questions and said plenty that I could not fit into one story. So here are some more of his quotes:
“It affects you more when it’s you. If that was someone else, I wouldn’t have thought anything of it. If that was Mike Gundy ranting or someone else…but when it’s you, you wouldn’t want your players to see that. They wouldn’t see it as that—they would see me as being excited—but I was embarrassed over it.”
“I’m confident in my ability to coach and motivate and all those things, but I wouldn’t have figured that out of five weeks of filming, that’s what they came up with.”
“I thought they took liberties at turning the show into about reality TV and me being the swearing idiot, goofy, son-of-a-gun and took away from our university and our players, and I think that’s sad. But I think (the show) was well-done. I thought they had the best intentions.”
“I just didn’t want it to take away from the university, because you’re no longer just representing yourself. It’s one thing if I’m ranting at my house. It’s another when it’s a show on Oklahoma State University. I thought it showed a negative light on it.”
“The hardest part is when you’re trying to communicate and coach, if you’re not careful, the moment that you need them to be listening the most, they’ve tuned you out. That’s what I never want to have happen—that if I’m swearing and I’m ranting and raving, that the point I’m trying to get across, they’re now defending themselves and not listening because you’re M-F’ing them, and you’re not getting across the point.”
“First of all, it was me saying it, so it’s no one’s fault but my own. But the bottom line is that I want to make sure that our guys understand that in order to be great, you’ve got to be pushed. We’re going to push our guys, we’re going to coach ‘em hard. I just wish I had done it in a different way.”
I was “prepped” for the bleeps by our media writer, Mel Bracht, who got to watch the show before it aired so he could review it for last Wednesday’s paper. But I didn’t really need to be prepped…I’ve been to enough practices and have spoken to Monken enough to know his personality and vocabulary. And I didn’t think much of it while watching the show, because it’s not exactly uncommon to hear curse words on a football practice field. Gregg Smith, Arizona State’s offensive line coach, swears just as frequently as Monken. You can hear him screaming all kinds of creative forms of profanity from the parking lot.
But after the show aired, that was absolutely the No. 1 thing people were talking about. My dad, who has no connection to OSU besides the fact that his daughter covers the school, sent me numerous text messages about it. It was one of the first things I was asked about in Thursday’s Power Lunch chat. Folks in the OSU media relations office brought it up to me as well and wanted to know what fan reaction was like on my end.
I found it interesting that Monken is trying to change. And cutting out the curse words obviously was not a straight-up reaction to the show, because his 17 consecutive days of no swearing at practice dates back to before it aired. It was a group decision, and players and coaches have definitely noticed the effort. And it will also help Monken in the future if he desires to become a head coach in college football.
Gundy was asked about how often he’s used profanity during his coaching career, and he said he’s never felt the need to swear. He estimated he curses about three times during a week of practice, and that he only directs them at a group, not an individual.
“The approach you want to take is, if there was a fan or someone who was close to our program that was (at practice) and had their kid there with them, how would you coach?” Gundy said. “That’s really the way you want to do it, and then you won’t ever have any problems.”
I’ve touched on this before, but I like Monken. He’s an intense, colorful guy that will openly and honestly answer every question you ask. I appreciate that as a reporter. I’ve never taken him for a “bad guy” because he swears more than I do. His fiery personality is a big part of what makes him an effective coach, but if he feels toning it down will make him even better and he wants to work on that, good for him.
Thoughts on Oklahoma State’s “Depth Chart” ESPN feature
I just watched Oklahoma State’s “Depth Chart” show on ESPN twice. Here are some thoughts on the documentary.
Overall, I thought it was a very solid product. All three quarterbacks—Brandon Weeden, Clint Chelf and J.W. Walsh—came off well and it was a good mix of on-the-field and off-the-field material. Some really great photography, too, especially when showing off OSU’s stunning facilities.
My favorite “football” elements were getting inside the locker room and the team meetings. It was really cool to see that interaction between coaches and players and all the work that goes on away from the practice field. I get to watch practice, but I don’t get to see that stuff.
My favorite “non-football” element was when Brandon went to his parents’ house. I loved the home video footage of him getting a football as a kid (“Football! Yeah! Just what I wanted!”) and hearing his parents, Sharie and Robbie, talking about his transition from baseball to football and what the journey has meant to their family. I think Robbie even got a bit teary-eyed.
A couple things seemed staged—when Weeden handed his wife, Melanie, a sports section that he was on the front of (The Oklahoman?), when the wide receivers went to Bad Brad’s just to talk about their quarterback and when Gundy and Monken met in Gundy’s office. Those moments didn’t sit comfortably with me.
I’ve already heard a lot about offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s…word choice. I tallied 24 times that Monken was bleeped for profanity. I’ve only interacted with Monken on a limited basis for about seven weeks, and in my experience, he’s not a bad guy. Intense? Yes. Speaks his mind? Absolutely. He’s a reporter’s dream in that sense, because he’ll answer every question honestly. Some people just swear more than others—almost to the point that it loses its “purpose.” I can see why some people would be taken aback by it, but it doesn’t really bother me.
And yes, some of you noticed that I made a random cameo during the part where Weeden was getting interviewed by the media before the Louisiana-Lafayette game. That was my second day at The Oklahoman. And that day was an absolute blur.
Some random notes:
Really liked how the show opened with the pregame scene, but then cutting to a bunch of weather stuff was a little awkward. But I did like the audio montage from Robert Allen and Co. about Weeden and the high expectations for the Cowboys this season.
Chelf is riding a scooter/moped. So, who started that trend? Weeden or Chelf? It’s a mystery I plan to get to the bottom of.
Stillwater was described as a “sleepy town” and an “unlikely place for a 27-year-old to seek athletic redemption.” I think that’s a pretty accurate description. But, again, I’ve only been here seven weeks.
The exchange between Brandon and Melanie, where she asks him when the deal they made that she cleans the house and he goes to the store will start happening, was priceless.
Before I got here, I remember reading/hearing so much about how the tempo of the offense during scrimmages was not very good and how everyone was trying to adjust to Monken being in the booth rather than on the sideline. It’s interesting to see how things were in August and how they are now.
Alex Elkins was shown during a montage of “freshman introductions.” He’s a new player, but a junior-college transfer. Whoops, ESPN.
Thought the practice segment where Walsh’s shoulder was “going to fall off” was interesting. One, to see how different major college football really is compared to high school football from a physical standpoint. And two, to see the respect that Weeden has from his coaches. I thought it was a solid leadership move for Weeden to tell Monken that Walsh was “not sore, he’s hurting.”
Chelf telling Walsh his bagel order was hilarious. I can’t comment on their golf games, because I’m absolutely terrible at that sport.
The random fan shots at the fair were odd.
Oh, Boone…
I loved the montage of the first day of classes. Was Walsh falling asleep? And how come I couldn’t take a golf class? I just mentioned I was terrible.
Monken can cook? Walsh can make a peanut butter pie?
The game day footage was great, especially the stuff with Monken in the booth and his phone interaction with Weeden. For some reason, “good throw, buddy” made me laugh. I don’t know why. Also, Weeden was absolutely disgusted with himself after that third interception. But that “bad” performance sure feels like a long time ago now, doesn’t it?
Here are some of my favorite quotes from the show:
Mike Gundy’s pregame speech: “You’re on your field in front of your friends and your family. You’ve got an opportunity to do something special. Let’s get it done.”
Gundy’s speech at first fall practice: “From this point on, we want no regrets. Practice to win. Don’t just practice to get it completed. Don’t just practice to finish. Practice to win.”
Monken on Weeden’s ability: “There’s not one throw he can’t make. It’s really amazing how accurate he is with all the throws he has to make.”
Chelf on Monken’s knowledge: “I’ve never been around anybody that knows football as well as he does.”
Weeden on his minor league baseball career: “I failed. I’ve experienced what it takes to overcome adversity.”
Weeden on Walsh’s potential: “He’s one of those guys that will always learn, always ask questions, and that’s pretty unique for an 18-year-old kid that’s just coming in and trying to learn the offense.”
Boone Pickens on the state of the OSU program: “We know we are competitive. Everything’s lined up. Let’s just do it. Let’s get a national championship. I’m ready, and I know everybody else is.”
Weeden on Justin Blackmon’s ability: “More times than not, he made me look better than I should have last year.”
Weeden on his playing style: “I rely on my arm a little bit too much at times. But I’m willing to take a shot. I’m all about throwing the big ball and letting our receivers go get it.”
Gundy pregame speech: “You get 13 opportunities in 365 days a year.”
So, what did you think? Leave your comments below.
Footage of 1945 Cotton Bowl between Oklahoma A&M and TCU
With TCU officially accepting its invitation to join the Big 12 Monday night, the Oklahoma State athletics Twitter feed linked some video footage of the 1945 Cotton Bowl between Oklahoma A&M and TCU.
This is awesome.
Oklahoma A&M’s first bowl appearance ended in a 34-0 victory over the Horned Frogs. Bob Fenimore completed six of 13 passes for 163 yards and also scored on a pair of rushing touchdowns.
OSU is 12-8-2 all-time against TCU, with the last meeting coming in 1993. The Cowboys won that game 27-22.
Pokes Preview: Kansas
We’re dropping the “Game Day.” Pokes Preview just rolls off the tongue better, doesn’t it?
Kansas at Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m. at Boone Pickens Stadium
The skinny on Kansas
The Jayhawks are coming off a 45-34 loss to Texas Tech, a game they led 20-0 in the first half. KU has struggled mightily on defense, giving up a nation-worst 44.25 points per game. On offense, the Jayhawks average 236 rushing yards per game.
Number to know: 252.5
The amount of rushing yards Kansas gives up per game, which ranks 118th out of 120 teams in the nation. Opponents are also averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Think we’ll see a heavy dose of Joseph Randle in this game?
OSU player to watch: Justin Blackmon
I do think we’ll see a heavy dose of Randle this afternoon, but Blackmon has had two weeks to think about—and hear about—that fumble out of the end zone at Texas A&M. I’m curious to see how he responds to that. Even though this game won’t be on TV, I bet Blackmon feels like he has something to prove. If the Arizona game is any indication—the Wildcats went to the press to express their displeasure with Blackmon’s long trip to the end zone in the Alamo Bowl—then the answer is he’ll channel that energy into a dominant performance on the field.
Kansas player to watch: James Sims
The sophomore leads the Jayhawks with 84.8 rushing yards per game and has scored four touchdowns so far this season.
Matchup to watch: OSU front seven vs. KU rushing attack
I think we already know that the Cowboy running game (and offense in general) is going to dominate the KU defense, but I’m interested to see how that matchup plays out with the teams flipped. The Jayhawks run a little bit of the Wildcat, which can be tricky to defend, just because it’s a look teams don’t see very much. It’s easy to get caught out of position if you’re not careful, and run help from the safeties will also be needed. Texas has also run a fair share of plays out of the Wildcat formation this season, so if nothing else, this will help OSU prepare for next week.
Don’t be surprised if…the Cowboys score more than 70 points.
Seriously. KU’s defense is that bad. And OSU’s offense is that good. Bad combo.
Uniform prediction: Orange jersey, white pants, white helmet
Let’s recap what we’ve seen so far this season. We can throw all these combos out the window, because OSU will not repeat at all this season.
Gray jersey, white pants, white helmet
Black jersey, black pants, white helmet
White jersey, black pants, white helmet
White jersey, gray pants, gray helmet
Will we finally see some orange? I keep assuming we will, and then it doesn’t happen. Apparently, the players view the orange as traditional and the gray/black as the exciting and cool options. If there’s ever a game to not wear the “cool” stuff, wouldn’t this be it? So I will go with the traditional look.
I’m probably wrong.
Final score prediction: OSU 51, KU 24
